Special Education

The Academic Studies program model is designed to enhance the social and academic success of students through good teaching practices. Special Education teachers and teaching assistants provide support both in the classroom, as well as during separate Academic Studies.

The Compass Program provides support for students who are having social/emotional or academic adjustment problems. The program addresses a variety of needs by providing the individual student with support and advocacy. Ongoing communication with parents, guardians, and school personnel is an integral part of the program. Students have access to all courses and services that are available within the school.

The Connections program provides highly individualized services, programming, and special instruction for students with moderate to severe disabilities, with the goal of maximizing the potential and independence of each student. It is based on the belief that all students can learn together in the same schools and classrooms with appropriate supports. An inclusive education helps prepare students with disabilities for an integrated adult life and builds understanding and acceptance within the broader community.

The Language Based Learning Disabilities programs provide intensive instruction to address students’ developing language skills. The program’s focus is on the development of skills in the areas of reading, speaking, listening and writing. The program works with students to teach skills through content and curriculum.

Students in the RISE program may present with Autism or similar disabilities with a variety of challenges, including anxiety, social skills, self-awareness, and executive functioning, as well as sensory and emotional regulation. In addition, students’ learning may not be at grade level, and their needs are best met in a smaller class size and/or a co-taught model, in addition to Academic Studies blocks. Student performance is monitored closely by maintaining effective communication with Special Education teachers, specialists, and families.

The Southside Program is designed for students in grades 9-12 who need a small, highly structured and supported school environment, to develop the emotional, social, behavioral, and/or academic skills necessary to succeed in an academic environment.

The STEP Program is designed for students in grades 9-12 who are academically capable, but have difficulty understanding social rules and can have high levels of anxiety in the classroom and during unstructured times of their day. Students require support in developing and refining social skills and executive functioning skills while minimizing anxiety.

The STRIDE program is a district-wide program to support students with autism and related disorders in which learners have significant impairments in the areas of communication, behavior, social skills, academics, and adaptive functioning. The program uses the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to increase functional living skills, adaptive behaviors, independence, communication, and vocational skills. The STRIDE program is a substantially separate program, with general education inclusion opportunities, as well as, community based vocational and life skills instruction on an individual basis. Students primarily receive their instruction in 1:1 and small group settings using ABA methodology embedded throughout their school day.