At Cambridge High School, we are committed to supporting the whole student. Our Student Support Services team works collaboratively to ensure students have what they need to succeed—not just in academics, but in their overall well-being. Through a range of programs, we provide personalized help with learning, social-emotional growth, and school engagement. Our goal is to remove barriers and build bridges so that every student feels connected, supported, and ready to learn.
We use a thoughtful, data-informed process to identify and respond to student needs. Support may be provided based on classroom performance, assessment results, teacher or counselor referrals, attendance patterns, or input from families and students themselves. Our team works closely with educators and caregivers to make sure interventions are timely, appropriate, and aligned with each student’s learning goals and personal growth.
A Tiered System of Support: Building Bridges, Not Barriers
At Cambridge, student support is built on a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)—a structure that helps us identify and respond to student needs in a timely and intentional way. Think of MTSS as a bridge: strong at its foundation and designed to carry all students across the challenges that may come up on their educational journey.
We begin with a strong foundation of school-wide practices—solid instruction, supportive relationships, positive expectations, and engaging environments—for every student. As individual needs emerge, we build additional levels of support that are more focused, more personalized, and more intensive.
Just like a bridge adjusts to hold more weight in key spots, our system becomes stronger as we respond to what students truly need. By using data, teacher insight, student feedback, and family input, we make sure the right supports are in place—before students fall behind.
Key Areas of Support at Cambridge
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Support Area
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Description
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RTI (Response to Intervention)
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A structured, tiered system used to identify and respond to academic and behavioral needs. Interventions are monitored and adjusted based on student progress. Supports can take place in the classroom or through additional services and are designed to prevent small challenges from becoming long-term barriers.
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Targeted Academic Supports
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Cambridge provides multiple layers of academic support for students who need extra time, instruction, or scaffolding to master grade-level material. This may include placement in intentionally designed class settings where math or reading instruction is embedded into core subjects like science or social studies, instruction from teachers with advanced training in literacy or numeracy, and access to extended learning opportunities such as afterschool tutoring. Supports are built around student needs and delivered in a way that reinforces content while building confidence and skills.
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Attendance Support
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Proactive monitoring and outreach to improve student attendance. Includes tiered supports, student goal-setting, family partnerships, and strategies that help students re-engage and show up consistently. Attendance is a key indicator of student success and is addressed through positive reinforcement and personalized support.
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Social-Emotional Support
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Services that help students build self-awareness, manage emotions, and navigate school relationships. May include individual check-ins, small group sessions, conflict resolution, or coordination with school counselors and social workers. These supports are designed to foster belonging, resilience, and healthy connections within the school community.
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Student Success Skills
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Skills-based instruction that supports students’ ability to stay organized, set goals, manage time, and advocate for themselves. Often embedded during B2 or within support classes, this area helps students develop the habits that lead to long-term success both in and out of the classroom.
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Student Support Team (SST)
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A collaborative team that reviews student data, coordinates interventions, and develops individualized support plans for students with persistent academic, behavioral, or attendance challenges. SST may also determine if students need a referral for further evaluation or services. Parents and caregivers are important members of this process.
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504 Plans
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School-based plans that provide accommodations for students with documented disabilities, ensuring equal access to learning and the classroom environment. Plans are created through a formal process that includes family input and teacher collaboration.
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Special Education Coordination
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Collaboration between general education and special education staff to ensure that students receiving IEP services have aligned academic supports, smooth transitions, and inclusive learning experiences whenever possible. Our goal is to support every learner in accessing rigorous instruction in the least restrictive environment.
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What This Looks Like for Students
Student support at Cambridge is not one-size-fits-all. Depending on the need, students may receive help through small group instruction, scheduled support classes, one-on-one check-ins, or team-based planning. Our goal is to meet students where they are, provide what they need, and make sure every student is on a path toward growth.
Here are just a few examples of what this might look like in action:
- A student attends a support class where literacy strategies are embedded into their science course.
- A student struggling with attendance meets weekly with a trusted adult to set goals and track progress.
- A teacher refers a student for additional help, leading to targeted math intervention during B2.
- A student with an IEP or 504 plan receives classroom accommodations and check-ins to ensure access to learning.
- A small group meets during B2 to build self-management or organization skills.
- A parent is invited to an SST meeting to partner in developing a plan for academic or behavioral support.
Support is not a stop sign—it’s a launch pad. At Cambridge, we offer these resources to help students build confidence, close gaps, and re-engage with learning. Whether a support is in place for a few weeks or an entire semester, our goal is never to keep students stuck, but to help them strengthen skills, overcome challenges, and move forward. With the right tools, relationships, and timely support, every student can grow—and thrive.
