Insight on How High Road School Helped Give My Son a Bright Future

by Katrina, mother of Patrick

Years ago, Patrick really struggled with a transition to his elementary school – the self-contained classrooms, the lockers, changing classrooms and teachers, plus increased academic demands. He experienced a particularly difficult time in sixth grade with expressive language. His behavior often escalated, and – unable to express that he was feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated from all angle – he struggled to use coping skills.

When the decision was made for him to move to High Road School toward the end of seventh grade, I worried that another transition would prove stressful for Patrick. However, from the first few days, through the next five years, Patrick learned to love school again.

At High Road, Patrick’s talents and personality were appreciated and celebrated. Through the reliable routines and expectations of his classrooms, my son quickly understood the cause/effect relationship of his behavioral choices. And he was taught on his instructional level – so he was challenged, but he still had the opportunity to feel accomplishment in his daily assignments. He was offered the sensory breaks he needed, and had the chance to participate in field trips, daily living tasks, and reward activities as part of his curriculum.

A Real Transformation

Because of his success at High Road, he is a more regulated, more expressive, and more engaged young man with his family, friends, and community. I will never be able to amply thank each and every member of the High Road administration, faculty, and staff for walking alongside Patrick in his journey through his middle and high school years. What they have accomplished together is nothing short of a miracle to us!

Patrick’s Impact On Our Staff & Students

Patrick was a joy to work with in the classroom, and often was given jobs around the school to help prepare him for the working world! Patrick would often ask for his own breaks, utilize coping strategies unprompted, and created some of the most amazing graphic design and art that I have ever seen! Patrick followed his routine and directions set by teachers and made a lasting impact on the staff in the building at High Road of Cecil County. Now that Patrick has transitioned back to his home school, he is taking Art classes before he heads off to the local tech school to work in a program where he gets to go out into the community and learn job skills. I’m sure one day we will be seeing Patrick’s art on the billboards and commercials we see every day!

Patrick was a joy to work with and always new how to put a smile on everyone’s face around him. Patrick was an artistically gifted student and would blow us all away with what he would draw and create. Patrick was very smart and always did a phenomenal job with his academics. Additionally, Patrick enjoyed helping staff with jobs around the classroom and the building. We can’t wait to see all of the things that Patrick will accomplish in his future!”

“Patrick was a joy to teach and be around every single day. He would arrive to school as one of the first students into the building with an unwavering sense of positivity. He would greet staff and students by name and always demonstrated just how much he loved to be at school. Upon exiting the building daily, Patrick would remind staff to “Smile, Please!” Patrick always acted with determination and was driven to complete everything he started. He served as role model to his fellow students and grew so much during his time at High Road. While imagining the classroom without Patrick was bittersweet, I could not be prouder of his accomplishments and I am so glad he has the opportunity to gain new experiences with the Cecil County School of Technology!”

It was such a pleasure to work with Patrick, he was so hardworking, determined, and easy going. Even through the COVID school closure, Patrick was always prepared to complete his schoolwork virtually through Zoom. Patrick always had a strong desire to learn new things and work hard for his teachers. His artistic talents were amazing, and I could see he was very passionate about graphic design and drawing. Patrick was a wonderful, smart young man and I know he will be quite successful one day.

From the first day working with Patrick, he had been a rock star. No task was ever too big or hard for him to conquer. He put forth the most effort he could and completed every assignment with flying colors. Patrick enjoyed playing games on his sensory breaks, along with going outside for gym class, and helping others. I truly miss working with Patrick and seeing him grow in his academics but look forward to hearing about all the great things he will do in life!

Since the very first time I met Patrick, I could see how positive of a young man he was. His positive attitude had the ability to make everyone around him smile – and he even occasionally remind us to do so throughout the day! But I also know that the teachers and staff at the High Road School of Cecil County were influential in enabling Patrick to feel confident and comfortable in the school setting. The staff really cared about Patrick and that allowed him to thrive – he could finally make mistakes and learn from them.

Because of his success at High Road, he is a more regulated, more expressive, and more engaged young man with his family, friends, and community. I will never be able to amply thank each and every member of the High Road administration, faculty, and staff for walking alongside Patrick in his journey through his middle and high school years. What they have accomplished together is nothing short of a miracle to us!

— Katrina, Patrick’s Mom

Excited to Learn New Skills

Because of all the hard work his High Road community has put forth, Patrick was ready for a transition back to his home high school and was given the chance to participate in the CCST Learning for Independence program, now that he is 19. Patrick is beyond excited to be attending his home high school again and is using the skills he learned at High Road to carry him through each day.

When he was age 11, I wasn’t so sure he would be able to learn independence, self-expression, or direction following – skills that he will need as an adult. But, through the exemplary programs at High Road, all these are possible for Patrick, and his future is bright!

— Katrina, Patrick’s Mom

A Bright Future

His teachers report that he is a positive, motivated student, willing to work throughout each school day. He did a great job with virtual learning, and is now succeeding at taking the bus to his school buildings each day. I now have absolutely no doubt that my son will have a place in his community – with a career, hobbies, and friends and family that bring him happiness and fulfillment.

When he was age 11, I wasn’t so sure that he would be able to learn independence, self-expression, or direction following – skills that he will need as an adult. But, through the exemplary programs at High Road, all these are possible for Patrick, and his future is bright!

Patrick’s Impact On Our Staff & Students

“Patrick was a joy to work with in the classroom, and often was given jobs around the school to help prepare him for the working world! When the opportunity to transition back to public school and into a specific program that emphasizes community work, I knew that Patrick would succeed in his transition back! The skills he had built in the previous years while at High Roads were shining through in is everyday work in the classroom. Patrick would often ask for his own breaks, utilize coping strategies unprompted, and created some of the most amazing graphic design and art that I have ever seen! Patrick followed his routine and directions set by teachers and made a lasting impact on the staff in the building at High Road of Cecil County. Preparing for a transition while also doing online instruction for the last part of the school year was a challenging thought for the entire team, but with the great collaboration from the High Road Staff, the public-school personnel, and Patrick’s family, it ended up being one of the greatest moments in my time at High Road School of Cecil County!

Patrick enjoyed making art while at High Road School of Cecil County. Patrick often drew pictures for other people, created digital art on the computer, and even created a hand drawn bulletin board inside the school building featuring the High Road School Logo with a Disney twist! Patrick’s passion for art mainly focused on the Disney theme. Patrick would design fonts that were Disney-like and even included some of the main Disney characters surrounded by the High Road School logo on his bulletin board in the building. Now that Patrick has transitioned back to his home school, he is taking Art classes before he heads off to the local tech school to work in a program where he gets to go out into the community and learn job skills. I’m sure one day we will be seeing Patrick’s art on the billboards and commercials we see every day!”

Visit High Road School of Cecil County’s website today to contact us, schedule a tour, and learn more about our school and program.