Programs

Academic Alternatives is a Level III special education program. Students in this program typically require services in the special education setting for more than 60% of the school day. Students are usually referred to the program if a Level II placement does not offer enough support to meet the student’s needs. Many of the students in AA attend independently. However, based on the individual needs of the student, some are accompanied by a paraprofessional for some inclusion classes.

The students served by the AA program have significant academic concerns. A wide range of disabilities are represented in AA. The program typically serves students who have severe learning disabilities, or are mild to moderately cognitively delayed. Many students in AA receive speech/language services or other related services.

Although there is no single profile for students in AA, students are generally achieving multiple years below grade level in all or some academic areas. Students may process information at a slower rate, have difficulty retaining information over time, require frequent repetition of skills, and need information presented with hands-on materials or with visual representation. Students typically receive math, reading and written language instruction in the AA classroom.

CID is a Level III program tailored to meet the needs of students on the Autism Spectrum. Students in this program typically require services in the special education setting for more than 60% of the school day.

CID is specifically designed to use a wraparound approach to learning. Many of the students receive social skills instruction, academic support, speech language, occupational therapy, developmental adapted physical education, and sensory/motor integration, dependent on their IEP needs.

CID offers students with ASD an opportunity to integrate and associate within the school community.

The elementary Life Skills Program offers functional curriculum designed to prepare students to be as independent as possible in the global world. Skill development in the following areas include: functional academics, daily/independent living skills, social and interpersonal skills, functional communication, and recreation/leisure skills.

The Life Skills team typically includes the parents, Life Skills teachers, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, physical therapist, assistive technology consultant, adaptive/physical education teacher, nursing staff, social worker, deaf and hard of hearing teacher, and English as a Second Language teacher. We all work together to provide the services and opportunities that our students need to function in their school environment and activities of daily living.

The PLUS program is designed for students in grades K-5 who need a significant amount of structure, supervision, and individualized instruction in order to make progress in their learning. Social skills instruction is presented daily and is embedded in the structure of the day and reinforced in group and individual time with the school EBD teacher. Along with teaching academic and interpersonal skills, there is a strong emphasis on teaching the students to recognize the need for and implementing coping strategies.