The High Road School of Southern York was recently named a 2022 School of Distinction for excellence in education by Cognia, a global nonprofit school improvement organization.
As part of the School of Distinction program, Cognia identifies pre-K–12 education institutions that exemplify excellence in education and service to learners. Cognia selected High Road School of Southern York as one of 96 K-12 schools out of more than 1,500 institutions worldwide that were eligible for the 2022 recognition.
“We are proud to work with Cognia and even more proud that our curriculum, passionate staff, and classrooms stand out on the global stage,” said Krystle M. Kessler, M.Ed, program director. “Being named a School of Distinction further recognizes our commitment to education quality and the exceptional work we do on a daily basis to support families within our local community.”
The school, which supports over half of the school districts in York County, Pennsylvania, participates in Cognia’s rigorous accreditation engagement review process, which is based on research-driven performance standards. The process includes a third-party review by education experts of evidence, interviews, and classroom observations. The evaluation covers leadership capacity, learning capacity, and resource capacity, as well as a demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement
“High Road School of Southern York should be commended on its designation as School of Distinction,” said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia. “Cognia accreditation is already a mark of distinction recognized around the world. Being named a School of Distinction further acknowledges the school’s commitment to education quality for its students and staff.”
Opened in 2020, the High Road School of Southern York provides individualized programming to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities beyond traditional classroom settings in grades K-12. More than a behavior program, the special education model combines academics, behavior modification, support services, and transition and life planning services utilizing a rotational system of learning. The school also features a transitional program for students aged 18-21, which focuses on functional academics, community safety, ability to communicate in the community and employment experiences.
