Murray Learning Services

Providing Extra Support

At Loyola, through the intentional design of our schedule and the commitment of our teachers, administrators, and students, that every Don can feel confident and capable as he tackles his studies. Whether he meets with a teacher during a free period, or receives tutoring from a fellow Don, every Loyola student receives the level of support and care needed to thrive.

One level of support that is offered is Murray Learning Services, a fee-for-service arrangement, available to both middle and upper school students. The program is meant to support bright, motivated Loyola students with documented learning differences in their efforts to complete all of Loyola’s requirements for graduation. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide its graduates with the tools necessary to succeed at the next level of their education.

In addition to working directly with participating students and their families, Murray Services also acts as a resource for all Loyola families who may have questions concerning learning issues; working closely with both Guidance and College Counseling.

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Who benefits from Murray Learning Services?

Generally, the greatest predictor of success at Loyola is motivation. Murray Learning Services is a tool that can enable motivated students with learning differences to achieve success at Loyola at levels commensurate with their aptitude. While this often requires extra time and extra effort, Murray students are represented in all levels of academic challenge within Loyola, including College Prep, Honors, and Advance Placement courses. The Murray student is responsible for completing the same rigorous course of study as all other Loyola students. The instruction and support found within Murray Services allows the student the opportunity to take part in the full range of extracurricular activities offered at Loyola, creating a well-rounded and fully engaged young man.
Academic Accomodations
In the spirit of our school’s philosophy of Cura Personalis (care for the whole person/student) we want to better understand the academic, social, and emotional needs of your son. Please fill out the following Supports Questionnaire to help us get to know your son. The questionnaire will provide a chance to share information regarding current or previous school-based supports, as well as any diagnosis that your son has received. After the questionnaire is filled out, a member of our team will reach out to talk more about the supports offered at Loyola such as Murray Learning Services, Academic Support Center, and tutoring.

In addition to filling out the questionnaire, please submit the prospective student’s most recent individualized testing consisting of, but not limited to, psychological testing (WISC) and achievement testing (Woodcock Johnson) to murraylearning@loyolablakefield.org. Any application for Murray Learning Services will not be considered complete without both tests and a DSM V diagnosis of disability.

Have a Question?
- For any questions about academic supports at Loyola, please contact Mr. Kevin Selby, Director of Murray Learning Services.

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Middle School Murray

Our Middle School Murray Program provides additional support to assist students who might otherwise not be able to access a program of study or who, by reason of their own learning difficulty or disability, may require a specialist's support beyond what is normally provided by Loyola Blakefield. The program consists of high-impact, research-based approaches to meet the students where they are to promote success in school.

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Program Objectives
The objectives of the Middle School Murray Program include:
- Increase vocabulary skills.
- Build motivation and self-efficacy so that students become active, optimistic participants in class.
- Provide rich, timely feedback that enables students to improve when it counts.
- Address skills and knowledge gaps within the context of new learning.
- Develop effective study skills and strategies.
- Teach students the importance of being metacognitive (one's ability to use prior knowledge to plan a strategy to approach a learning task, take necessary steps to problem-solve, reflect and evaluate, and modify one's approach when needed). Metacognition enables learners to choose the right cognitive tool for the task and plays a critical role in successful learning.
Strategies & Skills
Some strategies and skills that are taught at this level include:
- Active learning strategies
- Executive function skills
- Daily study habits
- Planning and management of studying
- Reading comprehension skills
- Reading and spelling
- Writing skills
- Monitoring of understanding
- Evaluation and reflection

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Maria Baird

Middle School Murray Coordinator

(410) 823-0601 Ext 456

Upper School Murray

Our Upper School Murray Learning Program helps students understand their learning differences; recognizing and utilizing their strengths as they work to improve in areas of weakness. A team of seven special tutors meets daily with students, implementing individualized learning plans which are based on the student’s psycho-educational testing.

Reading, writing, and speaking skills are strengthened as tutors work one-to-one or in small groups, using materials that complement course work. Math and science are supported as students work with tutors within these subject areas as they learn specific strategies to help them to be successful in these disciplines. In addition, accommodations are provided as appropriate and in-line with those offered by The College Board to students with learning differences when they take the PSAT, SAT, and AP tests.