Prom held for special education students in the QC
High Road School of the Quad Cities provides individualized education plans for students with extra needs. The school provides academic and therapeutic services to help give kids a positive attitude toward learning. It welcomes students with disabilities or disorders and works to provide them with a learning model that works for them. Friday the school held its third annual prom complete with music, dancing, photos, and food. The “Let’s [...]
Celebrating World Autism Month at Excel Middle Years
Excel Middle Years Academy proudly celebrated World Autism Month with a spirit of unity and understanding. The celebration included fun games and friendly competitions, all aimed at fostering empathy, inclusivity, and a deeper appreciation for neurodiversity. Each student received a puzzle piece, representing the diversity and uniqueness of individuals on the autism spectrum. They also took time to [...]
Rocking Around the Block’ in Wilkes-Barre to raise autism awareness
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — You did not need to run or walk to take part in a 5K event in Downtown Wilkes-Barre. The Graham Academy hosted what was billed as Rock Around the Block. It featured live music, food, and fun activities on Public Square. The Graham Academy offers special education to children living with autism or behavioral challenges. People there today say raising awareness [...]
High Road School of Santa Rosa Blooms with Kindness
High Road School of Santa Rosa recently wrapped up its third annual flower drive in support of the HER Foundation of Northwest Florida. The organization provides housing and services to homeless women veterans or those endanger of becoming homeless. For just $1, students purchased flower pots that were donated to the foundation. They also wrote heartfelt thank you notes for the veterans. “The students feel proud to contribute and [...]
Sierra goes to the RiverCats game! Ms. Maher throws the first pitch!
On Tuesday, April 29th, sierra students, the behavior support staff and Ms. Maher went to the school day event for the Rivercats. They enjoyed hearing the players in a presentation, watch Ms. Maher throw the first pitch and walk on the field in a parade! Go Rivercats! [...]
Community Access
Our students are expanding their community skills by accessing events off campus and riding the city bus! Come see what makes Lattice Educational Services Special! Schedule a Tour Today!
Interactive Plant Life Cycle Curriculum Engages Middle School Students
As part of an innovative approach to science education, our middle school students are engaging in an interactive curriculum focused on the plant life cycle. This dynamic unit integrates an introductory video, a KWL (Know, Want to know, Learned) graphic organizer, and various agricultural materials, along with visuals and vocabulary specific to plant growth and development. Students are actively documenting their predictions and observations in daily data logs, [...]
Ms. Jodi is our May ’25 Staff of the Month
Ms. Jodi has been a dedicated and reliable team member at Sierra Gilbert for over 10 years. Ms. Jodi's commitment to students is unwavering and her contributions to our staff are beyond measure. Ms. Jodi greets everyone with a smile each day and works tirelessly to help our school be the best place for kids. We are so grateful for all she does for students and Sierra Gilbert! THANK [...]
Sierra Gilbert Coffee Cove in action
Sierra Gilbert High School students in the SPARK program serve coffee and morning treats to students and staff through the CASE Cash program, working on vocational and social skills to prepare for real life employment. Come see what makes Sierra School of Gilbert Special! Schedule a Tour Today!
Seniors Lead Lessons and Promote Autism Awareness
At Philadelphia Continuation Academy, seniors are taking the lead in a meaningful, hands-on service-learning project that supports both their graduation requirements and the emotional well-being of their peers. The students are designing and delivering social-emotional learning lessons to others during dedicated blocks in April. These peer-led lessons are the result of thoughtful research and planning, empowering our seniors to model leadership, empathy, and collaboration. In recognition of World Awareness [...]
Artsy for Autism Awareness Students celebrated at festival in Cecil County
ELKTON, Md. — He first picked up a guitar two years ago, and now, Justin Leon has mastered a piece by Metallica. “I just started trying to teach myself how to play and it’s just gotten a little bit better from there,” said Leon. 14-year-old Katie Betrond of Perryville gains her strength through song. “I am one of those people [...]
Teacher Appreciation Week
At Lexington Life Academy, our teachers and staff are more than educators, they are the heart of our school and the reason so many of our students grow, thrive, and shine. Their impact is life-changing, and this week, we’re honoring the incredible difference they make every single day. “If you want to take your kids to a [...]
High Road School of Wallingford Students Become Published Authors
Several students at High Road School of Wallingford are officially published authors after participating in a national literary contest featuring scary stories of 100 words or less. Their hard work paid off and they will soon receive copies of the book showcasing their creative writing. For Xavier, the achievement is especially meaningful. “I like being an author,” he shared. “The first thing I will do when I get my book is let my [...]
Sierra Academy students enjoy ‘Alice in Wonderland’-themed prom
The Sierra Academy of Scottsdale was transformed into a scene straight out of a story book on Friday to create a memorable experience for the students at the Scottsdale school. The academy, which provides education and services for special needs students, chose an Alice in Wonderland-inspired event for its annual prom, this year themed, “A Mad Tea Prom.” Students sported whimsical attire and gathered for [...]
Celebrating Autism Month at High Road School of Belvidere
April is a special time at High Road School of Belvidere as students and staff came together to recognize World Autism Month in meaningful and creative ways. Embracing how “Each of us is unique, and when we come together, the puzzle is complete,” the school hosted a variety of activities to promote understanding, acceptance, and unity. One [...]
Celebrating Autism Acceptance at High Road School of Peoria
High Road School of Peoria proudly celebrated World Autism Month with a tribute to individuality, inclusion, and creativity. Staff members donned custom-designed shirts featuring the powerful message of “Advocate, Educate, Love, Respect,” accompanied by a puzzle piece design. A student art showcase was the highlight of the week. Students unveiled their beautifully painted colorful canvases and shared [...]
High Road School of Hoffman Estates Celebrates World Autism Month
High Road School of Hoffman Estates recently hosted a vibrant celebration in honor of World Autism Month, bringing students, staff, and community members together for a day filled with joy, connection, and inclusivity. The event featured a variety of engaging activities, starting with students walking laps around the building and taking part in interactive stations led by members of the [...]
April Students of the Month
April Student of the Month: William April Student of the Month: William
Krya: High Road School of Windham County Student Spotlight
We’re excited to shine the spotlight on Kyra, a student who has shown incredible growth and determination this school year! Kyra has made remarkable strides in her attendance, academic performance, and class participation. Her dedication to improving her grades and staying focused on her goals is truly inspiring. Teachers have noticed her consistent effort, positive attitude, and willingness to engage more fully in her learning journey. Whether she’s [...]
Annual Science Fair 2025
The Science Fair is a showcase of curiosity, creativity, and scientific discovery! Students from all grades present innovative projects to parents and staff across biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and environmental science. Our students use the Scientific Method in a step-by-step process to ask questions, do experiments, and find answers. It involves making observations, forming a hypothesis, testing it through experiments, analyzing the data, and drawing a conclusion. Our students [...]
Empowering Student Success Through Behavior Analysis at High Road School of Windham County
Our Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) plays a vital role in enhancing student behavior and overall success by using evidence-based strategies to foster positive behavioral change. Through individualized assessments and data-driven interventions, BCBAs support students in overcoming behavioral challenges, improving social skills, and building adaptive behaviors that contribute to academic achievement and long-term personal growth. Their collaborative approach with educators, families, and support staff ensures a [...]
Henry School of Scholars Honors World Autism Month with Art and Awareness
In honor of World Autism Month, students and staff at Henry School of Scholars participated in Wear Blue Day and a special art activity celebrating neurodiversity, kindness, and inclusion. With bright blue shirts, autism-themed messages, and plenty of enthusiasm, the school community came together to show support and raise awareness. One highlight [...]
High Road School of Windham County Hosts Art Show Celebrating Neurodiversity and Self-Expression
In honor of World Autism Month, the High Road School of Windham County hosted a vibrant art show that celebrated the theme of uniqueness – a tribute to the many ways students experience, interpret, and express the world around them. “This event gave our students the chance to shine,” said Christine DiGiacomo, operations manager. “The art show highlighted [...]
Police Cars a Shelter and Reducing Pollution
Wilkes-Barre’s honorary Fire Chief had a question for the Honorary Mayor. “How many fire trucks are you gonna buy today?” asked Josh Thomas, a student at The Graham Academy. By the end of the morning, Aiden Temple had “approved” the purchase of a new fire engine, 11 police cars, and 10 bicycles. “We’re talking about $3.5 million,” Mayor [...]
City of Wilkes-Barre honors Graham Academy students
In celebration of April’s World Autism Awareness Month, The Graham Academy brought autism awareness to the Wilkes-Barre community by recognizing individuals living with autism and those who care and support them. On Wednesday, Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown honored four The Graham Academy special needs students who joined the city hall staff for meetings and “assumed” leadership roles. Aiden Temple served as honorary mayor, while Josh Bonham served as honorary [...]
Students from The Graham Academy try out dream careers in Wilkes-Barre
It's a popular question for children: 'What do you want to be when you grow up?' Students from The Graham Academy got the chance to try out their dream careers thanks to the City of Wilkes-Barre. "When Carol McGrane head of The Graham Academy approached me in my second year as mayor and said, it'd be a great idea to have the students you know be mayor for the [...]
The Graham Academy Students Take Over Top Wilkes-Barre Positions
In celebration of April’s World Autism Awareness Month, a group of students got to experience first-hand what it’s like to be a city leader. A group of students from The Graham Academy took over the top positions in the city of Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Each student sported a sash with their new title: Mayor, police chief, fire chief, and city councilman. [...]
High Road School of Germantown Marks World Autism Month with “Safe Foods” Lesson
In recognition of World Autism Month, staff at High Road School of Germantown introduced a hands-on “safe food” lesson aimed at promoting healthy eating habits and raising awareness about sensory-based food preferences, particularly among children with autism. While the school’s current student population primarily includes individuals diagnosed with emotional disturbances rather than autism, the team saw this month as a timely opportunity to explore how promoting healthy eating is [...]
Excel Academy of Roseland students work to keep neighborhood clean on Earth Day
Tuesday is Earth Day, and the Excel Academy of Roseland is working to keep their neighborhood clean during the second annual Joyce Chapman Clean and Green Cleanup. Nearly 100 students are walking up and down Roseland streets cleaning and revitalizing the neighborhood. And they're dedicating this Earth Day to carrying out the legacy of a woman who was on a mission to give back. [...]
Achieve Academy of Harrisburg Goes to College
Recently, a group of 10 enthusiastic students from the Excel program at Achieve Academy of Harrisburg had the exciting opportunity to visit Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. This educational trip was designed to provide students with a firsthand look at college life, expose them to new academic environments, and help them envision their futures in higher education. While on campus, students explored several key areas [...]
Excel Academy Central Students Stitch Up New Skills in Sewing Club
Every Friday afternoon, a buzz of creativity fills the room at Excel Academy Central’s sewing club. Led by English teacher Karyn Driscoll, the club gives students a chance to learn a practical skill while expressing their creativity. The club began last year after a student asked Driscoll to teach them how to sew. With donations, a small fundraiser, and [...]
Student Highlight: Stephen
Steven has shown incredible growth in his graphic design skills here at High Road School of Harford County, and we’re proud to showcase a few of his recent projects that reflect both his technical abilities and artistic vision. In one piece, Steven created a dynamic cartoon-style scene of a rocket launching into space. With swirling smoke, twinkling [...]
Sierra Gilbert celebrates Autism Awareness Month
Sierra Gilbert staff, students, families, neighbors, district and community partners all gathered to celebrate Autism Awareness month with a parade and field day. Students created tie dye blue shirts and led a 1/2 mile parade while passing out Autism Awareness bracelets. After the parade participants returned to campus for a field day event filled with a bounce house, obstacle course, special guests from Gilbert Police Department and some yummy [...]
Brillant Art Work by High Road of Naperville, IL students!
We're thrilled to showcase these incredible pieces created by our amazing students! These works of art were proudly displayed during our Parent-Teacher Conferences on April 11, 2025. Each creation reflects the creativity, imagination, and unique talents of our students, and we couldn’t be prouder!
Students with autism get experience working on a farm
Lexington Life Academy Students are getting a new opportunity and all they have to do is roll up their sleeves. FOX 10's Dominique Newland explains the new program during Autism Awareness Month. View Video Here VIEW VIDEO HERE
There She Is … Miss Pennsylvania Visits Phoenix and Buehrle Academies
Students and staff at Phoenix and Buehrle Academies recently welcomed United States of America’s Miss Pennsylvania 2025 Natalie Kling. Crowned in 2024, Kling was on campus to speak with students about her personal journey and the importance of mental health. A high school senior herself, Kling opened up about the challenges she faced entering ninth grade, including a bipolar diagnosis and ongoing [...]
Celebrating Autism Awareness Day at the Sierra School of Gilbert
Autism Awareness Day at Sierra School of Gilbert was nothing short of amazing. Students, families, staff, and community came together to celebrate in a way that was meaningful, fun, and full of heart. Leading up to the big day, students got hands-on with preparations — tie-dyeing bright blue shirts and crafting “Sierra Cards,” with thoughtful thank-you notes to local businesses. The celebration kicked [...]
Celebrating Autism Acceptance at Achieve Academy of Escambia
In honor of World Autism Month, Achieve Academy of Escambia hosted a heartwarming and educational petting zoo event. Students and staff came together to enjoy an unforgettable day of interacting with a wide variety of exotic animals and reptiles, including snakes, turtles, goats, lizards, and even a porcupine! The hands-on experience fostered both a deeper connection with nature and a greater [...]
Spreading Kindness and Autism Awareness in Union City
In honor of World Autism Month, students and staff at FCS Peak Academy Union City came together to spread kindness and support for students with autism at a local high school. On April 2nd —World Autism Awareness Day—students assembled 50 goody bags filled with a variety of small but thoughtful items. The bags included fidgets, keychains, sensory items and encouraging stickers [...]
Chuck E. Cheese, March 2025
Students from Sierra School of San Joaquin attended a field trip to Chuck E. Cheese in March 2025.
Jelly Bean Factory, Field Trip Feb 2025
Students from Sierra School of San Joaquin attended a field trip to the Jelly Belly Self-Guided Factory Tours in February 2025.
Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month! We have celebrated so far by creating amazing bulletin boards around the school, had a door decorating contest, and a classroom reading day where the students and staff participated by reading and discussing the books My brother Charlie for the younger classes, and The Reason I Jump for the older ones. [...]
Celebrating World Autism Month at High Road School of Marion
In celebration of World Autism Month, students and staff at High Road School of Marion embraced creativity and compassion through a vibrant door decorating contest and an art project. Classroom doors were transformed with superhero themes and meaningful messages. One standout design honored students as part of the “Super Squad,” complete with puzzle piece symbols and capes that reflect strength and unity. Another featured an acrostic of “AUTISM,” reminding [...]
11th Annual Black History Bowl: Celebrating Knowledge & Legacy!
Students from each Chicagoland Excel Academy (Englewood, Roseland, Southwest, and South Shore) and the Safe Achieve Academy put their knowledge to the test last month in the highly anticipated Black History Quiz Bowl. Held in honor of Black History Month, this annual competition is a highlight of the school year for students who attend the schools, all part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network. In a fast-paced, quiz [...]
Excel Academy North Students and Staff Celebrate Women’s History Month
In celebration of Women’s History Month, a time to honor women’s contributions to society, Excel Academy North students participated in engaging activities including a door decorating contest. Throughout March they learned fascinating facts about women’s history in America such as: Title IXwas passed on March 1, 1972 Women account for 60%of college graduates today Women make up 27%of Congress Until 1974, Women couldn’t get credit cardsin their own names without [...]
Staff Spotlight: Achieve Academy of Harrisburg’s Terence Wiggins Shaping Students Lives
At Achieve Academy of Harrisburg, School Director Terence Wiggins is more than an administrator – he’s a mentor, leader, and champion for student success. With over 30 years working in education, he’s an expert at helping students push beyond their comfort zones while ensuring they feel valued and supported. Over the past 10 years at Achieve Academy, Mr. Wiggins rose from behavior specialist to school director. [...]
Celebrating World Autism Month at High Road School of Massachusetts
In honor of World Autism Month, classrooms and hallways at the High Road School of Massachusetts are filled with vibrant displays that highlight the importance of acceptance, understanding, and love for students with autism. School staff and students worked together to design colorful bulletin boards featuring powerful messages like “Different, Not Less,” “Love Needs No Words,” and “Be Yourself.” These visuals serve [...]
Celebrating Autism Awareness Week at High Road School of Bucyrus
The High Road School of Bucyrus marked Autism Awareness Week with a vibrant celebration of individuality, inclusion, and expression. Students and staff wore special shirts, including those with puzzle pieces or quotes, and the community went all out for “Light It Up Blue” on April 2, World Autism Day. Hallways were filled with colorful decorations and bulletin boards were transformed into backdrops for fun group photos. The week offered [...]
Lighting It Up Blue for World Autism Day
High Road Academy of Howard County proudly celebrated World Autism Day by “Lighting It Up Blue.” Staff wore custom shirts and students joined in by wearing colorful wristbands. As part of World Autism Month, the school was decorated with puzzle pieces, lights, and inspiring artwork to recognize and honor the autism community. Throughout the month, students will be greeted in the morning with quotes spotlighting trailblazers on the Autism Spectrum, [...]
High Road Academy Kicks Off Autism Awareness Month with Creative Door Displays
High Road Academy of Prince George’s County kicked off World Autism Month with a colorful and collaborative door decorating project. The displays highlight themes of individuality, connection, and acceptance. Some doors include positive messages about the strengths and talents of individuals with autism, while others showcase notable public figures who are part of the autism community. Each puzzle [...]
Graham Academy celebrates Autism Awareness Month
April marks Autism Awareness Month, and The Graham Academy is recognizing it with purpose, celebration, and a renewed commitment to supporting students with autism and behavioral challenges across Northeast Pennsylvania. With campuses in Kingston, Luzerne, and Mayfield, The Graham Academy serves more than 250 students from 45 school districts. The school provides a supportive, structured environment designed to help children and young [...]
Empowering Students Through Horseback Riding Therapy
Students at High Road School of the Quad Cities are gaining confidence, independence, and real-world skills through a unique partnership with New Kingdom Trailriders. Through weekly one-hour therapeutic horseback riding sessions, students with disabilities are learning more than just how to ride a horse, they're practicing focus, direction-following, motor skills, and emotional regulation. According to Claudeen Nellis-Engler, Clinical Director at the school, the experience goes beyond the arena: “They’re [...]
Pieces of Hope: Mural & Art for Autism Awareness
Glynn County School of Scholars kicked off World Autism Month with its event, “Pieces of Hope: Mural & Art for Autism Awareness.” In partnership with Light of Hope Learning Center, an Applied Behavior Analysis therapy center, staff and students worked together to create a meaningful autism awareness mural, along with personalized, colorful puzzle pieces. Each student [...]
Judge Inspires Students on Read Across America Day
In celebration of Read Across America and PJ Day at High Road School of Fairfield County, staff and students welcomed Connecticut Superior Court Judge Yamini Menon as a guest reader. Judge Menon read "The Little Book of the Supreme Court" to students in grades K–5. The students were engaged throughout the special event, asking thoughtful questions about government roles and potential careers. Thank [...]
High Road School of Delaware – Transition Olympics
Students at the High Road Schools of Delaware put their skills to the test in an exciting and interactive event... the Transition Olympics! Held in Wilmington, this event gave special education students the chance to practice essential life skills through engaging challenges like the cleanup challenge, speed interviewing, and menu math. The goal? To help these incredible students build confidence, develop social and employment skills, and set themselves up for [...]
Achieve Academy Students Share the Joy of Reading with Young Learners
In celebration of National Reading Month, Achieve Academy of Philadelphia - East Campus students Ajai Stafford (dressed as Thing 1) and Mike Murray (dressed as Sam I Am) visited Crossroads Academy at Hunting Park to read to third graders. One of the books they shared was Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham. March is designated as National Reading Month in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday and serves as a [...]
March 2025 Student of the Month
March Student of the Month: Ariah March Student of the Month: Carter March Student of the Month: Ariah
Donuts with Grownups Event!
Donuts with Grownups: A Sweet Success! We are thrilled to share that our Donuts with Grownups event was a huge hit! The turnout was fantastic, and it was heartwarming to see so many parents, students, and local districts come together to enjoy a morning of delicious donuts, great company, and plenty of fun. [...]
Collaborating with Educators to Maximize School Success
At Lexington Life Academy and our network of schools under Specialized Education Services, Inc., we believe that student success is best achieved through a collaborative approach that involves educators, families, and support staff. Our commitment to specialized education for students with disabilities ensures that each learner receives a tailored educational experience designed to meet their unique needs. The Power of Individualized Learning Plans One of the key elements of our success [...]
Autism Awareness Month Flyer
Autism Awareness Month Flyer
Student Highlight: Dylan Lindy
We’re thrilled to celebrate Dylan Lindy, a 12th-grade student who has been part of the High Road School family since 2018! Over the years, Dylan has demonstrated incredible growth and maturity, becoming a responsible and reliable student who can always be counted on to help out around the school. His dedication and work ethic are truly commendable! Dylan’s passion for all things weather has inspired his dream of becoming [...]
Stephanie Hudson’s Creative Journey: From Student to Skilled Mask Maker
Stephanie Hudson, a 10th-grade student at The High Road School of Harford County, has shown remarkable growth since joining the school in February 2024. One of Stephanie's standout qualities is her creativity. In her free time, she has developed a passion for making masks, a craft she has been honing for the past five years. Inspired by the creativity of others, Stephanie [...]
High Road School of Hoffman Estates Marches Into Spring
March was a memorable month at the High Road School of Hoffman Estates, filled with lots of fun activities for students. From a “pie in the face” showdown on Pi Day (3.14), where students earned the opportunity to toss pies at their favorite staff member, to a shamrock shuffle walk and designing creative leprechaun traps for St. Patrick’s Day, the excitement was nonstop. Students and staff also rocked their [...]
Yeehaw! Sierra School at Angleton Students Visit Houston Rodeo
Students and staff from the Sierra School at Angleton recently attended the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, an annual event honoring the state’s agricultural roots and Western heritage. During the visit, they explored livestock exhibits, played games, and learned more about the exciting sport of rodeo. Here’s to more fun-filled field trips and hands-on learning experiences. Check out the photo gallery below! [...]
Lexington Life Academy Host Its First Science Fair
From interactive projects to hands-on experiments, Lexington Life Academy’s inaugural science fair was a vibrant showcase of curiosity, creativity, and innovation, where students explored a variety of scientific concepts through engaging presentations. “We are so proud of every single student who participated and shared their knowledge,” said Lexington Life Academy-Gateway Director and Principal Jessica Gilmore, M.Ed. “The energy, engagement, and enthusiasm in the rooms were truly inspiring.” One highlight [...]
Opening Doors to Post-Secondary Success
For students at Phoenix and Buehrle Academies, preparing for the future means exploring opportunities firsthand. Recently, they took an important step toward their post-secondary goals by attending the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC) Lancaster County College Fair at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. At the fair, they engaged with representatives from over 100 colleges and universities including community colleges, HBCUs, trade [...]
Finding Purpose in Special Education
For Isaac Kim, teaching wasn’t part of his original plan. With a degree in philosophy, he didn’t set off seeking a career in education, but his experience with kids at his church’s vacation bible school and camps since age 13 made stepping into the classroom feel natural. “I was used to working with young people,” he said. “The population was different, but the principles were the same – building [...]
The Graham Academy Named Best of the Best 2025 Winner
We are proud to share that the Graham Academy has been named the gold winner for Best Special Education Facility category in the Times Leader Media Group’s Best of the Best 2025 awards. “We are beyond grateful to everyone who voted for the Graham Academy in The Times Leader Best of the Best competition. Your support means the world to us and is a true testament to the incredible [...]
ASPCA Day
Sierra celebrated ASPCA by visiting the ASPCA, learning about animal protection, cruelty, adoption and rescuing. We also got to spend some fun extra time with our therapy dog Luna. She enjoyed long walks, animal awareness lesson and even joined a group of students gathering donations for our local shelter!
What’s new at High Road School in Windham County
Students at High Road School in Windham County have been enjoying many opportunities to engage their curiosity and expand their thinking through some fun and engaging hands-on and project-based learning in recent weeks. Our younger students enjoyed a visit from some silky chickens. In addition to being amused by their hair style, student were interested in learning some new facts [...]
Sierra School at Angleton Helps Students Return to Home Campuses
The Sierra School at Angleton, a specialized program designed to support students with unique learning and behavioral needs, is celebrating the successful transition of three students back to their home campuses. The school provides a highly structured and individualized environment, equipping students with the skills and strategies they need to succeed. To ensure a smooth and supportive transition, school staff continue visiting the students, providing guidance and encouragement. We [...]
Students at High Road School Celebrate Read Across America Week with Therapy Dogs
In a heartwarming celebration of Read Across America Week, students at High Road School in Hartford had the unique opportunity to read to a therapy dog. The K-8 school, which serves students with special needs, partnered with therapy dogs to help build children's confidence and reduce anxiety. Studies show that reading to therapy dogs has a positive impact on students, offering both a calming influence and excitement for learning. The [...]
Sierra School of Solano County Science Fair
On March 13th, Sierra School of Solano County hosted its annual Science Fair, bringing students together for a day of exploration and discovery. Each classroom developed a unique project to showcase, allowing students to engage with a variety of scientific concepts. Throughout the event, students had the opportunity to explore different exhibits, listen to presentations, and gain insight into [...]
Read Across America Week at BEST Academy
In the beginning of March, BEST Academy celebrated Read Across America Week, a nationally recognized celebration of reading and storytelling. Throughout the week, students explored beloved children's books such as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Where the Wild Things Are, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, and The Giving Tree. Each day was [...]
High Roads School hosts first Autism and Transition Resource Fair
The High Road School of Cecil County, based in Elkton, hosted its first Autism and Transition Resource Fair recently providing local families, students, and community members with access to critical resources for life after High Road. The event addressed the growing need for post-secondary employment opportunities and additional care services in Cecil County, offering attendees guidance and connections to organizations. It also [...]
Promoting Reading and Celebrating Dr. Seuss
As part of our "Read 2 Succeed" campaign, Sierra School of Antioch challenged the students to ready books written by Dr. Seuss and to come up with a tribute to and representing the book they liked most. As they were designing their door for the door decorating competition, Classroom Aide Dr. Carmelita Nichols helped the students get into their artistic mode [...]
I Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream
Students and staff from the Achieve Academy of Harrisburg recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the Turkey Hill Experience in Lancaster County, an interactive attraction where guests can learn about ice cream making and sample products. They enjoyed unlimited samples of iced tea, lemonade and 15 flavors of [...]
EMYA Roots & Rhythms Slam: A Creative Conclusion to Black History Month
Excel Middle Years Academy wrapped up Black History Month with its first-ever Emya Roots & Rhythms Slam, an inspiring and vibrant celebration of Black history and culture. The event brought together students and staff for an exciting competition that blended historic knowledge with artistic expression. Three teams of sixth, seventh and eighth graders, led by two staff coaches, competed in a series of engaging rounds that showcased their talents [...]
Olney Continuation Academy & Stetson Continuation Academy Celebrate Black History Month with Trip to Washington, D.C.
As part of the schools’ Black History Month observance, students from Olney Continuation Academy and Stetson Continuation Academy took a field trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The day long adventure offered an immersive opportunity for students to engage with the rich history, resilience, and cultural contributions of African Americans. For many students, the trip marked their first-time visit to the [...]
Celebrating a Decade of Impact
This fall marks Jennifer Johnson’s 10-year anniversary with High Road Schools of Connecticut and B.E.S.T. Academy. Johnson knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher. Inspired by the educators in her life–especially her sixth-grade homeroom and science teacher –who helped solidify Johnson’s decision to pursue a career in education. That passion led her to a career in special education, where she has dedicated herself to helping [...]
Therapy Dogs Bring Smiles to High Road School of Hoffman Estates
High Road School of Hoffman Estates recently got a special visit from some furry friends, and ABC 7 was there to capture the heartwarming moment! As part of an ongoing partnership with Therapy Dogs International, therapy dogs Dori and Biscoe stopped by to provide comfort, support, and plenty of tail wags for students with special needs. This month’s visit was even more exciting as it took place during Pajama [...]
Mayor Cervoni Visits Special Needs School In Wallingford
Wallingford Mayor Vincent Cervoni visited the school as part of the Read Across America festivities. WALLINGFORD, CT — Wallingford Mayor Vincent Cervoni visited the BEST Academy of Wallingford on Monday, March 3, reading If You Give a Mouse a Cookie to students as part of Read Across America festivities. The BEST Academy is a specialized school designed to support students with emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges. It provides a highly [...]
Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum
Room 3 students had a field trip to the Travis Air Force Base Aviation Museum. Students were able to see flight exhibits during different periods in history, including WWII, The Cold War, Modern Flight, and Space Exploration. They were also given a tour of the armory and were able to explore different military vehicles, including an armored truck and an [...]
A Life-Changing Experience at Lexington Life Academy
A Father’s Journey to Find the Best Support When Robert McMahon took on a greater role in managing his daughter Mackenzie’s education two years ago, he wanted to ensure she continued receiving the best support possible. She was already enrolled at Lexington Life Academy, and as he worked more closely with the school, he saw firsthand just how much it was helping her thrive. “She’s learned [...]
How Lexington Life Academy Helped Charles Find His Voice
Lexington Life Academy Autism Support: A Life-Changing Journey for Charles When So’Toya Boyd’s son, Charles, was diagnosed with autism in 2021, she wasn’t sure where to start. Navigating school options and figuring out the right support system felt overwhelming. Thankfully, she had guidance from her sister, whose own child had attended Lexington Life Academy. That recommendation led Boyd to a learning environment that would transform Charles’ [...]
Hearts, Hugs and High Fives: Spirit of Community and Friendship at Valentine’s Day Dance
At the High Road School of Hoffman Estates, Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy hearts and cute notes delivered to classmates – it’s about creating connections and celebrating all students. The recent Valentine’s Day dance brought together students of all ages and abilities in an exciting and unstructured setting, offering a special opportunity to bond and have fun. For students at High Road, events like this [...]
Buehrle and Phoenix Academy Students Honor Black History Month with Learning Projects and a Visit to Washington, D.C.
On February 13, students from Buehrle Academy and Phoenix Academy embarked on an unforgettable journey to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The special field trip, part of the schools’ Black History Month observance, provided an immersive opportunity for students to explore the rich history, resilience, and cultural contributions of African Americans. The trip marked a [...]
Global School Day of Play!
This year we enjoyed another fun filled day with Global School Day of Play. Our activities included: art, board games, basketball, cake walk, obstacle courses and a bounce house! We enjoyed a bbq'd lunch with some extra treats including cotton candy and popcorn!
How Lexington Life Academy Fosters Social-Emotional Growth
At Lexington Life Academy, we recognize that social-emotional growth is just as vital as academic achievement. Emotional well-being directly influences personal development and future success, which is why we integrate social-emotional learning into every aspect of our educational experience. By fostering a nurturing environment, providing individualized support, and actively engaging families, we help students build the confidence and emotional intelligence they [...]
Thanksgiving 2024
Thanksgiving 2024
October 2024
October 2024
Children Museum Field Trip Jan 2025
Children Museum Field Trip Jan 2025
Back to School BBQ
A couple of Highlights from the Sierra School of Antioch Back to School Barbecue for the Spring Semester
Check out our kids at Work!
This past month, our students have returned to the community and our partnered worksites. They have been going to work at Cooperage Brewing Company, Pizza Leah and Staubli. They are learning new skills and earning a pay check.
Black History Month
Sierra School of Solano annual black history month presentation.
February Student of the Month
February Student of the Month: Z'Lyric
FullBloom Acquires CharacterStrong, Leading Provider of School-Based Mental Health Solutions for Students
CharacterStrong’s research-driven curriculum, resources and training strengthens FullBloom’s ability to further integrate academic, behavioral and mental health programming to support whole child development PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 25, 2025—FullBloom, the nation’s leading child development platform, providing academic, behavioral, and mental health interventions and supports to K-12 schools, today announced the acquisition of CharacterStrong, a national provider of multi-tiered school-based mental health solutions, including innovative proprietary curricula and supporting resources, as well [...]
Excel Central’s Cheerleading Team: More Than Just Cheers
What began as an idea from three Excel Central students last fall has grown into a dynamic squad that fosters leadership, school spirit, and friendships. With the school’s basketball team already established, students Harmony, Syriah, and Kaniya saw an opportunity to introduce cheerleading – creating an environment where students could support each other and have fun. Today, the squad consists of [...]
Student Success Story: Rico’s Journey at High Road School of Darien
The High Road School of Darien is dedicated to helping elementary school-aged students with autism and behavioral challenges, grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Rico’s journey is a testament to that commitment. Earlier this school year, 6-year-old Rico arrived as a nonverbal, overwhelmed first-grader. While High Road was a welcomed change for his family because it meant Rico no longer had an hour commute to and from school, it [...]
Achieve Academy East on The Jennifer Hudson Show
We’re beyond proud of Stanley Alston, Team Lead, and Tiffany Davis, Teacher, for representing Achieve Academy East on The Jennifer Hudson Show! Stanley Alston, Team Lead, and Tiffany Davis, Teacher, from Achieve Academy East in Philadelphia were invited to appear on The Jennifer Hudson Show. While on the show, Stanley and Tiffany discussed their inspiring work at Achieve Academy East [...]
Hands-On Learning at Rush Ranch
Fridays at Rush Ranch are a highlight for our students! Each week, they immerse themselves in hands-on learning, exploring the ranch, caring for the horses, and enjoying exciting buggy rides. These visits provide a unique opportunity to connect with nature, build confidence, and develop important life skills. From brushing and feeding the horses to learning about ranch life, our students embrace every moment [...]
Simon’s Success Story at Sierra School
Simon began his journey at Sierra School's at Wylie’s Hope program in October 2024. Initially, he preferred to work alone, and his interactions with peers were often negative. However, over the course of 13 weeks in the Hope program, Simon learned to engage with his classmates in a more positive manner and started to socialize more. During his time in the Hope classroom, Simon formed a meaningful connection [...]
Students enjoy some seasonal sprinkles with a parachute game in the rain
We enjoyed some beautiful weather with a parachute game in the rain Rain or shine, our students know how to have fun! They embraced the beautiful weather with a lively parachute game in the rain, adding a splash of excitement to their day. Moments like these remind us that learning and joy can go hand in hand!
Happy 100 Days, Hoffman Estates!
The High Road School of Hoffman Estates recently celebrated the 100 days of school milestone with a door decorating contest. The rules were to incorporate 100 of anything to your classroom door. From 100 dinosaurs, flowers, crayons, and bees, to dreams, wishes, and even 100-dollar bills – the students agreed that they are 100 days richer [...]
Students Honor Martin Luther King Jr. and Celebrate Equality on MLK Day
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, communities across the country reflect on the legacy and life of the civil rights leader. At the High Road School of Hoffman Estates, students honored his memory through activities that helped reinforce his vision of equality and justice. They participated in engaging classroom discussions focused on King’s legacy and the importance of diversity today. As part of [...]
Senator Willie Preston visits Excel Academy of Englewood
Excel Academy of Englewood, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, recently welcomed Illinois State Senator Willie Preston for a campus tour. The school, located within the 16th District, is near the Southwest side of Chicago – the community where Senator Preston was born, raised and now represents. Senator Preston’s visit was an opportunity to see the school firsthand, guided by Excel Englewood Bull student [...]
Student Spotlight: Charles McLaughlin of Achieve Academy of Harrisburg
Charles McLaughlin, a recent graduate of Achieve Academy of Harrisburg, has a knack for hands-on work. With a love for building and creating, he knew early on that a traditional college route wasn't the right path. Instead, he set his sights on trade school, where he could develop practical skills and launch a fulfilling career. After careful consideration, McLaughlin chose to pursue a career in masonry. [...]
Student of the Month-Aaron
Meet Aaron M., an 8th grader in Ms. Becky's Secondary Bloom classroom and a true ray of sunshine in our school community! Aaron is a whiz at solving puzzles and quickly matching numbers, patterns, and letters—his mind works like a machine when it comes to sequencing! He loves to color, enjoys playing games on his iPhone and iPad, and always brings a creative spark to the classroom. Math? [...]
Setting Goals for Success
Setting Goals for Success: Supporting Your Child with Autism in the New Year The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities. For parents and guardians of children with autism, it’s a chance to set meaningful goals that foster growth, communication, and independence. Collaborating with your child’s school team on home-based goal setting can create a structured roadmap for progress, ensuring consistency across environments. By setting [...]
Sierra Thanksgiving Feast
We cherish the opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the spirt of gratitude. Our annual Thanksgiving Feast invites parents, family members, and students to share in a festive meal, fostering a sense of togetherness and appreciation.
Forget Me Not Farm
We are proud of our commitment to community service. Through volunteer outings, students engage in meaningful service projects, contributing to local organizations and causes. These outings foster a sense of social responsibility, teamwork, and compassion, while helping students make a positive impact on their community.
Field Trips and Volunteering
At Sierra School we believe in the power of experimental learning & community involvement. Our student field trips are designed to enhance classroom learning through real-world experiences. These trips not only provide hands-on learning opportunities but also help students develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Sierra Student Art Projects!!
Explore the imaginative world of Sierra School Art, where creativity knows no bounds. This collection highlights the incredible talent and unique perspectives of our students. From colorful drawings to detailed sketches, each piece tells a story of personal growth and artistic exploration.
From High School to Nursing School: Hassaanah Chandler’s Inspiring Journey
Hassaanah Chandler’s Path to Nursing At just 17 years old, Hassaanah Chandler is already making incredible strides toward her future. A recent graduate from Excel Academy Central, she earned an impressive scholarship to attend the University of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City, where she will pursue a degree in nursing. Her journey is one of determination and a passion to help others. Having attended [...]
Students enjoy a Fun Friday bowling event at Fat Cats
Gideon and his classmates who achieved step 4 last week earned a trip to Fat Cats for some bowling and and fun outside of school. Gideon and his classmates who earned step 4 last week earned a trip to Fat Cats for some bowling
Ms. Jenn is our Staff of the Month
Please help us celebrate our Staff of the Month for February 2025 Ms. Jenn Gonzales! Ms. Jenn is such a valued member of the Sierra Gilbert team. She cares deeply for all of our students and always looks to help.
January Student of the Month
January Student of the Month: Charlie January Student of the Month: Olivia
Arts and crafts club sparks student expression at NewHope Academy
At NewHope Academy, a school dedicated to supporting twice exceptional students, creativity flourishes thanks to the efforts of teachers Sara Wodarski and Cassidy Aragon. The duo established a vibrant arts and crafts class and club that not only nurtures artistic skills but also fosters collaboration and community spirit among students. The extracurricular advanced crafting class offers students a unique opportunity [...]
Staff Spotlight: Alvin Sims Goes From the Court to the Classroom
A Team Player On and Off the Court From basketball arenas around the globe to the quieter halls of the High Road School of the Quad Cities, Alvin Sims has always been a team player. A former professional basketball star, Sims now channels his passion and discipline into helping students thrive as a behavioral specialist. Raised in Kentucky, Sims’ journey to working with students has been [...]
Horticulture Class Plants Excitement at NewHope Academy
How NewHope Academy’s Horticulture Class Cultivates Growth At NewHope Academy, a school dedicated to supporting bright students with an array of exceptional needs, the horticulture elective has blossomed into one of the most enriching and hands-on experiences available. The course is much more than just becoming proficient in gardening – it offers a therapeutic, educational journey that helps students grow academically, socially, [...]
Student Government Heads to the Capital!
Mr. K took the student government participants to check out the state capital in January! They loved the opportunity to learn more about our government!
Creating a Collaborative Support System: How NewHope Academy Works with Parents to Support Students
At NewHope Academy, we recognize that a student’s success is deeply rooted in the support they receive both at school and at home. That's why we place a strong emphasis on building a collaborative partnership with parents to ensure a comprehensive support system. By working together, we can address both academic and emotional needs, creating an environment where students thrive in all aspects of life. 1. Caregiver Family Therapy We [...]
Sierra School of Solano County Art Show
Sierra School Art Show- Students from each classroom and grade level display their own art.
Sierra School of Gilbert Garden Club
It’s January, the time of year when we begin to harvest the vegetables planted in the fall in the school garden at Sierra School of Gilbert. The school garden is celebrating its 8th year of dynamic and hands-on learning for students in the Spark and Bloom classrooms where youth of all abilities contribute to our school community. The fall growing season [...]
Winter Snowball Party at Sierra Gilbert
Students at Sierra School of Gilbert celebrated a recent CASE event with a snowball party thanks to our kind neighbors at Bahama Bucks. Students ended the party with snow cones.
Ms. Chermiese is our Staff of the Month
Ms. Chermiese has a contagious smile and a heart of gold. She selflessly serves Sierra Gilbert students each day. We are so grateful for all of her hard work and dedication to our students!
Student Spotlight: Marcos Mercedes Carmona of Phoenix Academy
At just 18, Marcos Mercedes Carmona has already shown remarkable determination to succeed. A recent graduate of Phoenix Academy, Carmona spent only eight months at the school, but its impact on him and his future will last a lifetime. Carmona transferred from his home high school to Phoenix Academy because he wanted a more structured learning environment for himself. "The stricter environment was beneficial for me [...]
Operation Snowball Brings Holiday Joy to Excel Academies
The holiday season is a time for joy, community, and giving back. In December, the Excel Academies in Philadelphia, took part in Operation Snowball, a city-wide initiative, led by the Philadelphia Eagles in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, that aims to spread holiday cheer by providing every student in the district with a thoughtful holiday gift. Gifts That Warmed Hearts Operation Snowball visited all [...]
NewHope Academy was featured in the January issue of Executive Function
We are proud to announce that the expertise and dedication of current and former NewHope Academy staff in supporting twice-exceptional students has been nationally recognized. Their innovative work is highlighted in the article “Fostering Executive Function” in the January 2025 edition of Executive Function Magazine. This piece showcases how NewHope Academy, part of Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI Schools), equips students with critical executive functioning skills, [...]
High Road School of Belvidere Educator Named Teacher of the Week
High Road School's Saundra Hill was recently celebrated as local radio station 97ZOK’s Teacher of the Week. Administrative Assistant Rachel Lenick nominated Hill for going above and beyond for her students both in and out of school. Staff from the radio station visited the school to surprise Hill with a cake and gift card to a local day spa to celebrate her recognition. Learn how her [...]
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Celebrating Diversity
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remains one of the most iconic figures in American history, known for his relentless dedication to justice, equality, and the celebration of diversity. His dream, famously articulated in his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech, envisioned a world where individuals are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. As we reflect on his legacy, [...]
Introducing the Motor Lab at Lexington Life Academy: A place for students to regulate, one station at a time
The Role of a Motor Lab at Lexington A motor lab is a tool that has been implemented at the Lexington. Fine and gross motor skills are mastered through structured, purposeful activities. Sensory processing is crucial for children with ASD as it directly impacts their ability to interact with & make sense of the world around them. Sensory processing refers to how the brain receives, organizes, & [...]
Holiday Cheer at Sierra Gilbert
Some visitors from the North Pole came to wish all Sierra Gilbert students and staff a very merry holiday season
How NewHope Academy’s DVS Program Builds Executive Functioning and Independence
Preparing Students for Life: When a student struggles in school and at home, the ripple effects are felt throughout the entire family. Parents often describe feeling stuck, unsure how to help their child succeed, and searching for a place where their student can feel supported, nurtured, and hopeful. At NewHope Academy, we understand how overwhelming this time can be. Our mission is to provide students with [...]
Sierra Gilbert Staff give back
To start the new year by giving back to the community, the staff from Sierra Gilbert spent the afternoon participating in a service project at Feed My Starving Children. Through this teambuilding event the staff helped to pack and prep over 1,500 meals to children in need around the world. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff for their incredible participation [...]
Exponential Growth: An Interview with Pierson L., Class of 2023-24
Interview with Pierson L., Class of 2023-24: Pierson L., a recent graduate of NewHope Academy, reflects on his transformative journey at NHA, where he overcame personal challenges, built self-confidence, and discovered a passion for astronomy. Pierson’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and ambition. Here’s a look at how NewHope played a pivotal role in shaping his future and fueling his aspirations. Q: How did [...]
Community-building activities at High Road School of Windham County
Building Connections, One Marshmallow at a Time! At High Road School of Windham, community-building time is more than just an activity, it's a cornerstone of fostering positive social skills and teamwork among our students. Each day, our students come together to engage in hands-on, collaborative challenges that spark creativity, encourage communication, and build lasting connections. Recently, our students tackled an exciting activity: constructing structures using marshmallows and toothpicks. From [...]
The Teaching Assistant (TA) Program: Empowering Student Leaders
Introducing the TA Program Our High School teachers, alongside Associate Director Stephanie Dandos, have launched an exciting new initiative to incentivize our students: the Teaching Assistant (TA) Program. This program offers students the opportunity to take on leadership roles by supporting younger peers, assisting in classrooms, and helping others. To qualify, students must demonstrate qualities such as responsibility, accountability, safety, and engagement in their own classrooms. [...]
Getting Creative with Motivation
Innovative Strategies in the Classroom Teachers are becoming more creative in finding ways to motivate students and keep them engaged in their learning. Often, students benefit from having more choices or alternative methods to reach their goals. In Ms. Lucero's class, for example, she turned a simple student request for chips into a valuable learning [...]
College and Career Fair at the Achieve Academy of Harrisburg
The Achieve Academy of Harrisburg recently hosted its annual College and Career Fair, organized by School Counselor Kristina Ward and Team Lead Tony Ballon. The event brought together local businesses and educational institutions to provide students with insights into a variety of post-secondary paths. Fair Exhibitors and Participants Fair exhibitors included: [...]
Student Activities at High Road School of Windham County
Students at High Road School of Windham County have been busy enjoying a variety of fun and engaging activities! From picking fresh apples during a trip to the local orchard to an exciting round of laser tag, students had plenty of opportunities for adventure and connection. They also visited the Roger Williams Zoo, where smiles were endless as they explored and learned about wildlife. Back at school, students got [...]
Student Spotlight: Laffeyette T.
For Laffeyette T., the road to earning his high school diploma was far from traditional. But his journey – filled with resilience, determination, and a newfound passion for helping others – is one worth celebrating. He graduated from Excel Academy North in February 2024 and today is a role model for youth in Philadelphia, showing what’s possible when you embrace change and persevere through [...]
December 2024 Student Spotlight!
December Student of the Month: Max December Student of the Month: Preston
Sierra Gilbert Students Enjoy a Fun Holiday Shopping Trip
The holiday season is in full swing at Sierra School of Gilbert! Recently, students took a community outing to a local grocery store to gather supplies and gifts for their annual holiday party. The trip was a fantastic opportunity for the students to engage in real-world learning while celebrating the joy of the season. Manny, one of the students, had a big smile on his [...]
Excel Academies of Philadelphia Give Thanks
Students Give Thanks Thanksgiving and the holiday season offer a time to reflect, give back, and foster joy values embraced at Excel Academies in Philadelphia during recent celebrations and initiatives. From baking fun to meaningful community service, the schools offered opportunities for highlighting gratitude, generosity, and togetherness. Excel Academy South began the festivities with a pie-baking competition, showcasing staff’s culinary talents. Ten entries vied for the top spot, with [...]
Excel Academies Students Exercise Their Right to Vote
The Excel Academies of Chicago, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, held a voter registration drive earlier this fall, that resulted in in 15 new registered voters. These students proudly cast their first time ballots in the 2024 presidential election, as well as many local races. “At Excel, we believe in empowering our students to make their voices heard,” said Ashanti Brooks, school clerk, [...]
Excel Academy of Southwest Celebrates Honor Roll Students
Excel Academies of Southwest, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, recently recognized 36 exceptional students for making Honor Roll during the first quarter. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence serve as a remarkable example for their peers. “These students have not only excelled academically, but have also demonstrated perseverance, discipline and a strong work ethic,” said Principal Moise Ortiz. “Their outstanding accomplishments reflect their drive [...]
From 10 Schools to the Right Fit for Ryan
For Ryan and his parents, finding the right school was a long and challenging journey. Adopted from Russia nearly 13 years ago, Ryan struggled with behavioral and emotional challenges. Over time, he attended 10 different schools, but none could provide the structure and support he needed. A Shift at High Road School When Ryan enrolled at the High Road School of Massachusetts, things began to change. [...]
A mother and son’s journey as a part of the Lexington Life family
Damien, a 12-year-old middle schooler, joined Lexington Life Academy - South Mountain after facing significant challenges in the public school system. For his mother, Tairy, finding a safe and supportive educational environment for Damien was crucial. Tairy’s Personal and Professional Growth Since enrolling at the school four years ago, Damien has flourished both academically and socially. His progress is deeply personal for Tairy, who now works as a teaching assistant [...]
B.E.S.T. Academy Student of the Month November 2024 Marco G
B.E.S.T. Academy Student of the Month November 2024 Marco G Marco G was nominated for BEST Academy’s Student of the Month for the month of November. Across this month, Marco has consistently exhibited Considerate, Accountable, Safe, and Engaged behaviors while in school. For example, he attended and participated in all scheduled related service sessions and classroom group activities. He completed tasks presented to him in a safe and [...]
B.E.S.T. Academy Fall Festival
BEST Academy staff and students participated in our Fall Festival this October. Ms. Dirzius and Ms. Williams greeted everyone as Mario and Luigi. Students picked pumpkins from our patch and were able to decorate pumpkins. Classrooms did fall themed read aloud and did some crafting that allowing students an opportunity to work on social skills within the classroom. FIND OUT [...]
Fall Fun with Speech and Occupational Therapy
This fall in Speech and Occupational Therapy, we embraced all things fall with festive, hands-on activities! Students participated in edible crafts, games, reading comprehension exercises, multi-step direction tasks, and engaging fine and visual motor activities. One of the highlights was creating Pumpkin Patch Pudding Cups in small groups. Small group activities encourage social interaction and peer engagement while reinforcing both speech-language and occupational therapy goals. For [...]
Making Private Education Possible
For Passion Hernandez, a lead assistant teacher at Lexington Life Academy-South Mountain, the school isn’t just a workplace – it’s a lifeline for her and her 9-year-old daughter, Serenity. Serenity, who is nonverbal and an eloper (a common behavior for children with autism is to run or wander away from caregivers or secure locations; this is called elopement), experienced an upsetting incident at her previous school. Passion knew [...]
This season, finding my gratitude in art and teaching
Educators guide and support students, but also learn from their curiosity, problem-solving skills, and unique ways of thinking Key points: Teaching isn’t a one-way street–students have their own lessons to share Here’s how schools can better support neurodiverse students Why special educators are key to behavioral equity and inclusion As an art teacher at a school for twice-exceptional students, gratitude is drawn into many moments each day. Reflecting on [...]
Honoring Family and Tradition: Día de los Muertos Ofrenda
At the Sierra School of Alhambra, Día de los Muertos (translates to “Day of the Dead”) has become a cherished annual tradition. This year’s celebration was marked by a colorful ofrenda, or altar, displayed prominently in the front office. Students and staff came together to honor loved ones who have passed, embracing the holiday’s rich cultural significance. What began as a small observance years ago, has grown into [...]
Sierra San Diego Welcomes Pro Soccer Player Kennedy Wesley
San Diego Wave FC, an American professional women's soccer team, defender Kennedy Wesley recently inspired students at Sierra San Diego during a visit filled with insights into the life of a pro athlete. Wesley shared her journey to professional soccer, her educational background, and her passion for working with the special education community. Students prepared thoughtful questions, eager to learn about her path to professional sports, her school experience, [...]
Students celebrate hitting their I Ready milestones
Mason celebrates reaching his I-Ready milestones by throwing a pie at Sierra School of Gilbert Director Mr. Matt, with both smiling after the fun moment. I-Ready Milestones Celebration Brings Laughter and Learning At Sierra School of Gilbert, we take student achievement seriously, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! Our recent I-Ready milestones celebration was the perfect example of how we inspire students to stay motivated [...]
Shark Bites Café: Serving Up Life Skills One Meal at a Time
The Shark Bites Café at the Sierra School of Alhambra is more than just a place to grab a quick bite. Originally conceived as a small stand selling chips and drinks, it has blossomed into a vibrant hub where students and staff come together, fostering community and life skills in equal measure. At lunchtime every Thursday, the café buzzes with excitement as students eagerly anticipate their turn to participate [...]
Career Exploration Fair Day at High Road School of Wallingford Inspires Students
High Road School In Wallingford Hosts Career Exploration Fair Day The event offered students the opportunity to explore career paths and featured community members from police, music production, and media. WALLINGFORD, CT — The High Road School of Wallingford hosted a Career Exploration Fair Day on Oct. 22. The event offered students the opportunity to explore exciting career paths and featured community members Sergeant Henry Cadett of [...]
Birthday Celebrations Bring Families Together
Birthdays are more than just a date on the calendar. For children especially, birthdays are a chance to feel seen, valued and celebrated. However, for some families, hosting a party can present challenges due to intensive special needs or behavioral issues. When leadership at the Sierra School at Allen heard from families about the difficulty around birthday celebrations, they took the party planning into their own hands. Now, it [...]
Sierra School of Alhambra Aide Bridges Language Barrier
John Paul Buha joined the Sierra School of Alhambra to bring his rich background in Chinese literature and a master’s in education from California State University to support a Mandarin-speaking student. Little did he know that this role would become much more than a job – it would be a life-changing experience, for both him and the student. David, a 10-year-old Chinese native diagnosed with neurodevelopmental delay and hyperactivity, [...]
Lexington Life Academy’s Trunk-or-Treat Brings Together Halloween Spirit and Community
The South Mountain campus of Lexington Life Academy recently hosted its Trunk-or-Treat, an exciting celebration in the spirit of Halloween that brought together staff, students and families. Students and teachers enchanted everyone with their frightfully fun costumes, from spooky classics and colorful creatures to powerful superheroes. As the sun set, the school’s campus transformed with brightly decorated car trunks and plenty of delicious treats for everyone. Beyond the spook-tacular [...]
Finding the Perfect Fit for Wyatt
For Jessica Evans, finding the right school for her son Wyatt was challenging. After difficult experiences during kindergarten, she knew he needed a supportive environment that could help him grow and engage with the world. Lexington Life Academy turned out to be exactly what Wyatt – and the Evans family – needed. “What made me love Lexington with all of my heart was the fact that we would be [...]
SESI Salutes Our Veterans in the Classroom
In honor of Veterans Day, SESI thanks the dedicated educators within our family for their service. From their roles within the United States Armed Forces to classrooms throughout the country, these teachers bring unique skills and experiences to the classroom, where they foster compassion, structure, and resilience. Their stories remind us of the meaningful contributions veterans make in the world of education and the invaluable role they play in [...]
October 2024 Student Spotlight
Ross is a 9th grade student here at High Road School of Bucyrus. Ross has been at High Road since the very beginning and we have loved watching his growth year after year. Ross brings so much enjoyment to the classroom and the school. Ross enjoys movies,CDS/DVDs, Taco Bell and Cosmic Brownies. Ross's classroom would like to share a few words about why he deserves the student spotlight: "Ross [...]
September 2024 Student Spotlight!
September Student Spotlight! Isaac Smith Issac is a 3rd-grade student here at High Road School of Bucyrus! Isaac enjoys playing at the park, riding his bike, and playing games! Some of Isaac's favorite foods are chicken nuggets, straberries, carrots & ice cream! Issac's teacher would like to share a few words about his success: "Issac is a 2nd grader in the Elementary SPARK classroom. This is his first school [...]
August 2024 Student Spotlight!
Xander Riley Xander is a second-grade student here at High Road School of Bucyrus. Xander enjoys any candy, but especially sour and gummy candy, books, pop-its, and the iPad! Xander’s classroom would like to share a few words about why he deserves the student spotlight: “Xander has really shined so far this year! His willingness to participate and show what he knows has been such a leading force in [...]
New special education school in Frederick offers individualized support
High Road School of Frederick County, a new school that’s part of the national organization Specialized Education Services Inc., is serving special education students in the county. The school is not part of Frederick County Public Schools, but the district can refer students to the school through their Individualized Education Programs (IEP). High Road serves students living with emotional disabilities, autism and other health impairments. Cullen King, the education [...]
Forming strong bonds for student success at the High Road School of Fairfield County
Caleb, described by his mom, Shannan, as a bright and creative 9-year-old, is finding success at the High Road School of Fairfield County after facing significant challenges while enrolled in public school. Diagnosed with autism, Caleb struggled to stay focused and required more one-on-one attention than his elementary school could provide. “The district was wonderful and really tried to support him,” said Shannan. “But despite their best efforts, they [...]
Pretty in Pink: Buehrle Academy Unites for Breast Cancer Awareness
This October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the staff at Buehrle Academy showed their support by engaging in a variety of activities including joining the annual local walk, “Pink Lancaster”, organized by Advantage Lancaster. For many at Buehrle Academy, students and faculty alike, this cause is personal. It holds special significance for those who have lost loved ones or are supporting friends and family battling cancer. Every [...]
Cooking up social skills at Sierra School of Angleton
Students in Brandy Scott’s social skills class at Sierra School at Angleton recently enjoyed a deliciously educational experience. Every Wednesday, they enhance their social skills by preparing “the most important meal of the day.” This week, they tackled pancakes, bacon, and eggs, even making enough to share with staff members. Each student worked individually and, in the process, practiced math concepts like measuring, proportions and calculating cooking times, while [...]
Legacy of Leadership: NewHope Academy Celebrates Dave and Brandy Larrance’s Decades of Service and Impact
On September 24, 2024, leadership at NewHope Academy hosted a heartfelt celebration to honor Brandy and Dave Larrance, former owners of the school with over a decade of dedicated service. As they officially ended their consulting agreement with SESI on October 1, the event served as a tribute to their many successes and lasting impact on the NHA community. In recognition of their contributions, NewHope Academy announced plans to launch [...]
Lancaster Area Schools Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Buehrle Academy hosted a special event bringing students together to honor the rich history and culture of Hispanic and Latino communities. The day was filled with exciting activities including bingo and history trivia, led by social studies teacher Mr. Falcone. As part of the celebration and lesson of the day, students researched and presented on various countries, deepening their understanding and appreciation of Hispanic [...]
Sierra School of San Diego – Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament
The energy was high at Sierra School of San Diego’s all-school rally this month, where the staff-only “Rock, Paper, Scissors” tournament brought lots of excitement and laughs. It was also a great way to boost morale and model teamwork for the students. Teachers were heard in the halls saying it was the “best Friday yet!” Big congrats to the winner, Ms. Andrea Preciado, elementary assistant teacher, who earned the [...]
The Importance of Executive Functioning Skills: How NewHope Academy Prepares Students for Life Beyond School
At NewHope Academy (NHA), we work with students who are bright, talented, and capable of achieving great things in college and beyond. However, many of our students face internal challenges that make success difficult, including struggles with executive functioning. We provide services for students in grades 6-12, along with a transition program for young adults, helping them overcome these obstacles and reach their full potential. Located in Arlington Heights, [...]
Mary DiCarlo: How Our Family Navigates Life With A Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Families with children on the Autism Spectrum face unique challenges and experiences. Each family’s journey is different, filled with both struggles and triumphs. We want to share their stories, insights, and advice to help and inspire other families going through similar experiences. As part of this interview series, we had the pleasure to interview Mary DiCarlo. Mary DiCarlo is a mom of two daughters, Sabrina, 27, a special education [...]
How NewHope Academy Supports Twice-Exceptional Students
Twice-Exceptional Students: Unlocking Potential Twice-exceptional (2e) students often find themselves at a unique intersection: they possess high intellectual potential, yet also face school or learning-related struggles. This duality can make their educational experience challenging, as these students may excel in certain areas while grappling with difficulties in others. At NewHope Academy, we recognize and celebrate the complexity of twice-exceptional learners, offering a safe, nurturing environment where their potential [...]
Jayden’s Journey at High Road School: a Path to Achievement
This fall, after attending the High Road School of Wallingford for five years, 11-year-old Jayden will start sixth grade in a public school setting. His journey is a testament to his resilience and determination, and the transformative power of specialized support, says the person who knows him best – his mother, Michelle. Jayden faced challenges that made traditional classroom settings difficult, such as trouble [...]
The Graham Academy Expands Its Northeast Pennsylvania Footprint With Opening of New Location in Mayfield
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the expansion of The Graham Academy to a new location, in Mayfield, Pennsylvania. Located at 1300 Old Plank Road, the new school is currently enrolling [...]
Helping Your Child Transition from Summer: Tips for Parents to Reduce Back-to-School Anxiety
Helping Your Child Transition from Summer: Tips for Parents to Reduce Back-to-School Anxiety As summer ends, many parents deal with their child's anxiety about returning to school. Transitioning from a relaxed summer schedule to a structured school environment can be challenging, especially for middle and high school students with emotional challenges. At NewHope Academy, we understand such transitional challenges. Here are some practical tips for parents to help [...]
Excel Academy students gain job experience and learn new skills
This summer, Excel Academy of Chicago students, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, participated in the city-wide One Summer Chicago program. Over the course of six weeks, more than 110 students across Roseland, South Shore, Southwest, and Englewood Excel Academy schools explored new areas of the city, engaging in activities and opportunities that many had never been exposed to before. The One [...]
Spirit Week – Summer 2024
Learn more about our school today.
Valedictorian Tyra Dixon’s Story of Perseverance
Tyra Dixon’s time at Excel Academy of South Shore, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, has been marked by strong academics, student leadership and extracurricular achievements - shaping her into a well-rounded young woman. Her hard work and dedication resulted in being named the class of 2024 valedictorian. A member of student government, Tyra was elected Executive Bronco, a position that [...]
SAFE Achieve Academy students build confidence through hair education
Eight students from SAFE Achieve Academy of Chicago, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Option Network, recently visited Yvenetta "Midge" Welch, the dedicated owner of Issues Barber & Beauty Salon, for a tour and Q&A session at her salon. The students, part of a cosmetology class at the school, had the opportunity to meet stylists and chat with them about their profession, as well as practice some of what [...]
Exciting End-of-Year Events at High Road School of Wright City
As the school year winds down, students at the High Road School of Wright City have been treated to presentations on several important topics. Destiny (Mantia) Klimaszewski shared her powerful story about the dangers of drinking and driving, following her tragic experience as a childless widow at 21. Also helping highlight the dangers of driving under the influence were Christopher Pate, an underage drinking prevention specialist with Mothers Against [...]
Arien’s High Road Journey
Table of Contents Academic gains Ready for success beyond the High Road School Finding the right educational setting for a child with special needs can be an exhaustive search. Ashley Negron, the mother of Arien, knows this all too well. From the time Arien was just 3 years old, Ashley found herself struggling to get him the support he needed at [...]
Summer’s Success at BEST Academy
Table of Contents Finding the Right Fit Unwavering Support and Preparation for the Future When Mary enrolled her daughter, Summer, at BEST Academy in 2017, she hoped for a supportive environment where Summer could thrive. Today, nearly seven years later, Mary reflects on how BEST Academy has exceeded her expectations, providing her daughter with the tools to grow academically [...]
School of the Week: Excel Academy Central prepares students for high achievement
After the student population at Excel Academy South reached 400 students last year, a plan was developed to downsize the school. The result was opening another school in a different location with the same programming. Excel Academy Central opened its doors this school year at Grover Washington Middle School at 201 E. Olney Ave. Just like Excel Academy South, Central is an accelerated school program that provides students who [...]
High Road School students learn about crime scene investigation
Students at the High Road School of Wright City met with Amy Lesch of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to learn about careers in forensics and how crime scene investigations are conducted.
Specialized Education Services, Inc. Grows Educational Offerings in Arizona with Acquisition of Two Lexington Life Academy Locations
SESI broadens mission of supporting more students through specialized education and therapeutic services PPHILADELPHIA, June 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the acquisition of two Lexington Life Academy locations in Arizona. [...]
Excel Academies Prom 2024
On Friday, May 10, at the Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast, over 140 students from Excel Academies in Philadelphia graced the red carpet at the 2024 prom. It was a great night filled with formal attire and fun for all! Keep Reading
Excel Academy of Southwest students checkmate the opposition to win chess tournament
Excel Academy Students from across Chicago recently gathered at the Excel Academy of Southwest for a day of competition. The school hosted the third annual Excel Academy chess tournament, where teams competed three-on-three-style.Jake Benke, director of the Southwest campus, extoled the virtues of chess as important activity that fosters critical thinking skills amongst his students.After four heated rounds, Excel Academy of Southwest took home the trophy with [...]
Specialized Education Services, Inc. Unveils 2024 Staff and Teacher of the Year Winners
Third annual awards program recognizes team members’ commitment to special and alternative education students PHILADELPHIA, May 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today broadly announced Shannon Searles as its 2024 Teacher of the Year [...]
Showing understanding through art at the Sierra School of Sonoma
Elementary school students in Room F (aka The Wild Things) at the Sierra School of Sonoma recently exhibited their creative skills with a project on South African symbolism and abstract art. As part of their academic work Sierra students, ages 6 to 10 years old, studied several cultures in their social studies class, including South Africa. They created a variety of art and replicated [...]
Lexington Life Academy’s Prom 2024
Lexington Life Academy hosted their Prom 2024! Check out the pictures below to see our students enjoying the dance floor! Learn more about our school today.
Empowering the next generation through the art of storytelling
After weeks of meticulous post-production and an outpouring of support, 2023 SESI Teacher of the Year Kristi Hoffman and students from the Academic Six high school classroom at the High Road School of Wright City proudly present their Women's History Month podcast. The special project podcast features interviews with some of the remarkable women who help lead SESI.The spark for this project ignited when Executive [...]
Excel Academy leaders and students participate in United Black Male Educators of Chicago Public Schools inaugural conference
Several members of the Excel Academy community recently participated in an important event hosted by the United Black Male Educators (UMBE) of Chicago Public Schools. Students along with Dr. Anthony Haley Jr., regional director, Chicago, and Tyree Booker, school director, Excel Academy Roseland, who are members of the UBME, attended the organization’s inaugural student empowerment conference. The landmark event, held at Olive Harvey Community [...]
Sierra School of Solano’s May Spotlights
Staff Spotlight Ms. Lili is our staff of the month for May! She always goes above and beyond for the students and staff in room one and two, but also for the whole school general. She is willing to help in any situation with a smile and has a calm presence about her. The staff and students know they can always count on her! Student Spotlight [...]
Caterpillar Celebration at Hartford Primary/Middle School
It’s a Caterpillar Celebration at Hartford Primary/Middle School! This spring at High Road School of Hartford Primary/Middle School, students got to participate in a two-week unit of learning about the lifecycle of caterpillars and butterflies. With the help of our related services team, students worked on: vocabulary, sequencing and describing attributes by observing their class caterpillars every-day and taking notes on their changes. Students [...]
Celebrating creative expression at Excel Academy of Englewood
At Excel Academy of Englewood, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, a recent event celebrated spoken words, music and the visual arts. The "Express Yourself" showcase provided a platform for both students and staff to share their talents. "Express Yourself" stemmed from English and art department lessons, where students including delved into the areas of poetry and painting. What [...]
Pacific Beach teen wins award in financial literacy contest
Congratulations to Gabriel Trepashko, our very own 17-year-old student at the Sierra School of San Diego! Gabriel recently received Honorable Mention during the third annual Financial Literacy Superheroes Competition for his entry, "Luna The Super Saver Cat," who was created to encourage good financial habits. We could not be more proud of him! Read the Whole Story! Learn more about our school today.
Student Spotlight: Ely’s transformative journey
Creating a positive environment for students with autism is essential for their academic and social development. Learn more about the effective strategies that encourages positive social interactions between students and educators.
Quenice Davis: From college basketball star to Sacramento school admin
Quenice Davis is a former San Diego State standout basketball player. Now, she's impacting lives as an administrator at Sierra School of Sacramento SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When it comes to shooting your shot, Quenice Davis gets buckets. The former division 1 college basketball star turned school administrator is scoring at life and dishing out plenty of assists along the way. "I've always known I wanted to go into education," [...]
Graham Academy Students Honored in Wilkes-Barre
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE CO. (WOLF) — April is World Autism Awareness Month. To celebrate the City of Wilkes-Barre honored five students from the Graham Academy. Students and their loved ones visited City Hall Friday morning to officially be declared Fire Chief, Police Chief, Councilperson, and Mayor for the day. The students hosted meetings and helped make some important decisions for the City. The Graham Academy promotes awareness, equity, and access for [...]
Environmental groups, schools mobilize for Earth Day across Far South Side
After her brother died of asthma in 2009, Jermica Davis said she felt pulled to environmental justice work. This year, she spent her Earth Day picking up trash around Altgeld Gardens, the public housing community where she and her brother grew up. “When he passed away, that sparked something in me,” she said. “Working in the community, and actually seeing how the environment can affect the community, that is [...]
Life skills olympics help teach real world, practical crafts
Feeding off the positive energy, flashing of cameras and fast-paced competition, Mia Rooks helped her team bring home a trophy in the third annual life skills olympics. At the same time, the competition will help the 17-years-old with her transition plan of attending a four-year university to pursue a degree in social work. “It was an exciting energy, this is my second year going but my first year participating [...]
High Road athletes train for Special Olympics
High Road School students practiced their running and throwing in preparation for this weekend's Special Olympics track meet at Prospect High School. Under the direction of the school's Special Olympics Head Coach and Physical Education teacher Pat Hurst, the athletes ran a series of sprints, then practiced throwing a softball in a shot-put style motion at Maple Trail Park near the school. One athlete, Peter Fleming, who would have [...]
Taking High Road — To Special Olympics
Local students with special needs prepared last Friday for the upcoming Region B Spring Games held by Special Olympics Illinois. The Spring Games will take place later in April at Prospect High School. Students at High Road School of Mount Prospect, 580 Slawin Court, have been working tirelessly, showing remarkable dedication and enthusiasm for the Special Olympics. Students train under the guidance of PE teacher and coach Patrick Hurst, [...]
Wilkes-Barre event with live bands aims to boost autism awareness
KINGSTON — Light It Up Blue, an annual autism-awareness event, has grown into a fun community celebration this year, featuring live bands, food trucks and vendors on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. Carol McGrane, director of Graham Academy, said in an interview at the lower school on Friday that the academy partnered with King’s College, Wilkes University and Misericordia University to make this year’s event more community-oriented and bigger and [...]
5 Tips for Fostering a Positive Learning Environment for Students with Autism
Creating a positive environment for students with autism is essential for their academic and social development. Learn more about the effective strategies that encourages positive social interactions between students and educators.
These High Road School of Bucyrus teachers celebrate their 1-year anniversary!
Help us celebrate Ms. Tammy, Ms. Ceyanna, and Ms. Alex for 1 year of service with High Road School of Bucyrus! On behalf of High Road School of Bucyrus, we want to thank you for your dedication to our school, our students, and this team! We are fortunate to have you as part of our team, and we look forward to many more years of working [...]
Honoring Black History Month at High Road School of Wright City
During Black History Month, High Road staff and students engaged in a variety of learning activities focused on acknowledging and appreciating the contributions of African Americans to our society, history, and culture. In learning about these individuals and their legacies, we recognized the struggles and sacrifices faced by African Americans throughout history, while also celebrating their resilience, achievements, and cultural heritage. Here are some [...]
High Road School of York gives back to the community!
Students delivered food items to Southern York Food Pantry. High Road School of York students participated in a food drive as part of the school wide KINDNESS WEEK! Learn more about our school today.
Empowering Students to Tackle Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is normal, but it doesn't have to hold you back. Learn proven strategies for managing stress, boosting focus, and achieving your academic goals.
Final Quarter feature: Quenice Davis teaches life lessons, and basketball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) – Quenice Davis is never too far from a basketball court. She even gets to play at work, at Sierra School of Sacramento, where she is the associate director. “It’s a lot, it’s exhausting,” says Davis. “But I feel like it’s my purpose. It’s my calling.” Quenice Davis has worked at the school for six years. She has a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State and [...]
High Road School of Fairfield County Read Across America
High Road School of Fairfield County celebrated Read Across America this month by hosting Judge Yamini Menon to read to our K-6 students. Thank you for joining us! Learn more about our school today.
Roseland’s Rising Star: Chicago Excel Academy graduate embarks on her college journey
Chloe W, an extraordinary student from Washington Heights and Beverly, recently graduated from Excel Academy of Roseland. Now, at only 16-years-old, she is enrolled at Columbia College Chicago (CCC). This achievement is not only a testament to her academic prowess but reflects her family's deep-rooted belief in the power of education. For Chloe, attending CCC is more than just a personal [...]
Celebrating student success at the Special Olympics
Peter F., a fourth-grader at the High Road School of Mount Prospect, a school providing academic and therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and young adults with extraordinary needs, is an athlete and shining example of the importance of determination. The 9.5-year-old recently placed second in the 100-meter and third in the 50-meter snowshoe races at the 2024 Special Olympics [...]
The Child Advocacy Center Honors Ms. Zoellner
The Child Advocacy Center (CAC), an organization whose mission is to deliver excellence in child abuse response, offer a path toward healing, and educate the community, recently chose to honor High Road's social worker, Kathryn Zoellner, for her outstanding partnership over the years. Over the past five years, Kathryn has invested herself in providing not only resources for families but also tools for our students to protect themselves [...]
Sierra School of Solano’s March Spotlights
Staff Spotlight Ms. Sam, is the Staff of the Month for March!Everyday Ms. Sam does a great job at supporting the staff and students in her classroom, as well as any other rooms or students that need anything throughout the day. She does all things from van runs to getting school lunch and does it all with a smile. Student Spotlight Able was picked for Student of the Month [...]
High Road School of Fairfield County’s Black History Month Door Competition
Our staff and students "opened the door" to important conversations during the month of February. Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of Solano’s February Spotlights
Staff Spotlight Ms. T is Staff of the Month for February! Recently, Ms. T became our teacher in Room 2 with elementary students. Since beginning her new role, she has done fantastic. She is very supportive of her students and shows patience and grace with each one of them. Student Spotlight Ulisses was picked for Student of the Month for February! He comes to school [...]
High Road School of Wright City Staff Spotlight: Meet Mr. Casey
Casey, Teacher, High Road School of Wright City High Road School of Wright City would like to acknowledge Casey Hutchison for his notable contributions to our school. Casey came to High Road ready to learn and do. He humbly welcomed any experience available to him, quickly establishing himself as a flexible and enthusiastic member of our school community. Casey's quest to learn and his openness to feedback have [...]
Excel and Safe Achieve Academies of Chicago Host Black History Quiz Bowl
In a spirited celebration of Black History Month, students from each Excel Academy (Englewood, Roseland, Southwest, and South Shore) and the Safe Achieve Academy competed in the annual Black History Quiz Bowl last month. The Academies are part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network. During the exciting “Jeopardy”-style showdown, team members showcased their knowledge of influential Black Americans and their significant contributions [...]
Celebrating Success: Excel Roseland’s First Semester Awards + Luncheon
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Welcome to Sierra School at San Bernardino City!
Welcome to Sierra School at San Bernardino City! Enjoy a quick photo tour of our school! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of San Diego’s Dalvin smiling his way to Student Spotlight
Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of San Diego’s NFAR Grant Winner!
The Occupational Therapy department at the Sierra School of San Diego has attained the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR) grant, aimed at supporting educators and therapists working with individuals with Autism. This grant will fund an upgrade for the therapy mats in the Motor Lab, ensuring safety of students during direct OT treatment sessions and student’s sensory regulation breaks. During these sessions students utilize [...]
When a haircut provides much more than a new “do” to a child with sensory needs: Tristan’s story
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Ukraine Tour at Lattice Educational Services
Today Lattice Educational Services hosted 2 educational members from Ukraine in partnership with Sebastopol World Friends. Svitlana Skliar is the Director of the Inclusive Resource Center (special educational needs) of the Cherkasy City Council and Hanna Yefimtseva is the Chief Specialist EdCamp Ukraine, a worldwide teacher training resource. They are part of Open World, a Congressionally sponsored program that brings people from former Soviet and developing nations to the [...]
Sierra School at Liberty hosts Liberty ESD SPED staff for a Professional Development training with Dr. Diane Myers, Senior Vice President-Behavior, Specialized Education Services, Inc.
Sierra School at Liberty was pleased to hosts Liberty ESD SPED staff for a Professional Development training with SESI Senior Vice President-Behavior, Dr. Diane Myers. Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of Gilbert hosts Spring ’24 Lunch & Learn
Sierra School of Gilbert was pleased to hosts our valued district stakeholders for a Lunch and Learn event with Dr. Ellen Gaske. Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of Peoria hosts a Lunch & Learn with Dr. Ellen Gaske
Sierra School of Peoria was pleased to host our valued district stakeholders for an afternoon of learning and networking with Dr. Ellen Gaske, Senior Vice President-Academics for Specialized Education Services, Inc. Learn more about our school today.
High Road School of Mt. Healthy Staff of the Month: Ms. Boseman!
High Road School of Mt. Healthy's staff of the Month for November/December was Ms. Boseman. Ms. Boseman goes above and beyond to ensure that all students have a supportive learning atmosphere. We are always excited when Ms. Boseman arranges special meals for students and staff, such as her Labor Day grill out and coordinating our Thanksgiving Feast. We are proud to have Ms. Boseman as part of our team! [...]
Say “Hi” to Sierra School of San Diego’s Student Spotlight: Trenton!
Learn more about our school today.
Comfy for a Cause
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Sacramento River Cat’s Mascot, Dinger, Visits Sierra School of Sacramento
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Tech Adventure at Google for Excel Academy of Englewood Students
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Ms. Marcelin is the most SAFE Staff of the Month!
Ms. Marcelin won our most SAFE staff of the month for December. Ms. Marcelin always puts others first and is genuinely supportive of everyone in the building. When you need someone to listen, you know she actually cares and it's not just a job to her. Thank you Ms. Marcelin for all you have done for our staff and students. Learn more about our school today.
Ya’Hira’s the most SAFE Student of the Month!
Ya'Hira won the most SAFE student of the Month. She provides a safe place for others to be themselves and is always kind and supportive of others. She’s a positive big sister role and overall has shown character development these last few months. Learn more about our school today.
Spotlighting our “Gold” student, Jay’ron!
With a unanimous vote, Jay'ron has been nominated as most Accountable student of the month of October. He has maintained "Gold" status this school year, which occurs when you maintain over 90% of your daily behavior points. Students with this privilege can go into the hallway independently and help staff with tasks. Staff reported that Jay'ron is very respectful and is demonstrating that he can be responsible. He has [...]
Happy Holidays from the staff at Sierra School of Weld County!
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Happy Holidays from the staff at Sierra School of Alhambra!
Learn more about our school today.
Happy Holidays from the team at Sierra School of San Diego
The team at Sierra School of San Diego wishes everyone a happy holiday season and healthy 2024! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School at Sonoma Transition Lab
Transition Coordinator Ms. Spice runs an incredible facility where students can learn valuable pre employment skills and create awesome merchandise using screen printing, laser engraving, heat press and other equipment. Learn more about our school today.
Multi-talented artist returns to alternative school in Elkton that changed his life
ELKTON, Md. — The guest of honor at an alternative school in Elkton is greeted by the staff like a long lost friend. “My name is Rakeem Miles. I work through the music and the fashion, also TV as well. We have a TV show coming out next year.” The credits, appearances and endorsements just keep coming for Rakeem Miles—-a multi-talented artist who established his own brand after graduating [...]
High Road School of Fairfield County’s Holiday Fair
High Road School of Fairfield County held our first holiday fair on 12/20/23. Students were excited to shop for loved ones and have their gifts wrapped and labeled. Learn more about our school today.
High Road School students deliver holiday cheer to residents at local assisted living facility
PACE, Fla. (WKRG) — Students from the High Road School in Santa Rosa County took to the Victorian Manor assisted living facility in Pace to spread a little holiday cheer. “It was very nice. A big surprise because we were not expecting it,” Susan Steward, a Victorian Manor, resident said. The staff and special education students gave gifts and hand-made holiday cards to residents, collected at a school holiday [...]
Sierra School of Sonoma County Students Star in Play About Behavior and Choices
Elementary students at the Sierra School of Sonoma County recently took center stage in a play examining choices and behavior. The production, “Future Star: The Perils of Bad Choices and the Rewards of Positive Choices”, was student-driven. Originally the idea of a student with a passion for writing who personally saw the impact of making better choices, “Future Star” highlights young people making bad decisions, the consequences of those choices, [...]
Sierra School of Alhambra’s Pajama Day Breakfast
Sierra School of Alhambra recently had a pajama day breakfast! Check out all the amazing pictures: Learn more about our school today.
High Road School of the South Suburbs Unveils Innovative Motor Lab
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Five Ways Educators Can Support Students After the Winter Break
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Sierra School of San Diego’s Sierra Workability Program
Dalvin had his first day of work at Smart 'n Final. He organizes the shelves, clean the floors, collects carts and welcome customers. This is his first job every through our Sierra Workability program! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of San Diego students develop employment skills through community based jobs
Sierra off campus jobs have officially kicked off this week. After several weeks of students filling out applications, interviewing and getting accepted for a position, students were anxious and excited to get started. Isaias is placed at Partners Therapeutic Horsemanship. Isaias takes care of the grounds and preps the horses for other clients to do horse therapy. Isaias will be working 1 time a week and getting a paycheck [...]
Sierra School of Solano’s Thanksgiving Feast
Sierra School of Solano celebrated its annual Thanksgiving Feast. It's such a special time for all the students, staff, and families to come together and enjoy a wonderful meal. Everyone had a great time! Learn more about our school today.
Thank you to our AMAZING Sierra Academy of Scottsdale staff
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale celebrates the AMAZING staff who show up each day to serve students with a Staff Appreciation event. Our wonderful partners from TTK Funnels of Joy Funnel Cake Food Trucks supplied our dedicated staff with delicious funnel cakes to say "thank you!" Learn more about our school today.
On Wednesdays, Sierra School of Sonoma Farms!
Sierra School of Sonoma has a farm day field trip every second Wednesday! The farm provides students with the opportunity to learn and care for living animals. It also is very therapeutic for students!
Halloween at Sierra School of Sonoma County
Chucky and Freddy made an appearance at our school on Halloween along-side one of our teacher aids!
Sierra School of Solano Giving Back to the Community
Over the past month room 3 students have been learning about helping and giving back to the community. This past Monday students and staff volunteered at our local Solano County food bank. Learn more about our school today.
Hands-On Learning Helps Austin Engage with School
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Smiling Faces at Lattice Educational Services
Check out all the smiling faces at Lattice Educational Services! Learn more about our school today.
Philly youth program teaches conflict resolution, violence prevention
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Talk, not fists: Philadelphia students with discipline issues learn how to defuse conflict
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
From cooking to gardening: High Road School of Cecil County student’s get hands-on experience
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Sierra School of San Diego’s Football MVP, Annalise
Sierra wrapped up a successful fun filled football season last week! Our Sierra School of San Diego coaches hosted a sports banquet for all the football players. Annalise won an award for Most Valuable Player-MVP! She was an asset to her team, a positive team player, had great sportsmanship and scored many touchdowns. All the coaches were so proud of her! Learn more about our school today. [...]
Sierra School of San Diego’s Student of the Month Kaisei is Accountable!
Kaisei won Student of the month in Ms. Philips class for being Accountable. Kaisei does a great job being accountable in class by following directions and following his rotation schedule. We are so proud of Kaisei and how much progress he has made. He is doing such a great job this year! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School at Pendergast Professional Development
Dr. Diane Myers, SVP of Behavior Programming, joined the PESD ESS team for an afternoon of professional development. See the pictures of the event below: Learn more about our school today.
Lattice partners with local barbershop to support students
Lattice partnered with the Gentleman’s barbershop of Windsor to provide free haircuts for our students. Getting haircuts can be a challenge for our students due to sensory needs and having to stay seated for a longer period of time. The Gentleman’s barbershop met our students where they are and were able to provide haircuts in a way that worked for our students. Some of our students have not been [...]
High Road School of Fairfield County’s Annual Thanksgiving Feast
On 11/21/23, High Road School of Fairfield County held their annual Thanksgiving Day Feast. Students celebrated the holiday and even the firemen stopped by for some pie! Learn more about our school today.
A Veteran in the Classroom
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Afternoon Tea Sponsored by Girl’s Club!
On 11/8/23 Girl's Club put together a gratitude tea party! Students were called to the blue cafe and invited to tea and crackers in a celebration of gratitude and shared in a circle for what they are are currently grateful for in their life. Learn more about our school today.
Jay’ron for Student of the Month!
Jay'ron has been at High Road School of Fairfield County since 2019 and has always had a goal of returning back to his district's public school. With a unanimous vote, Jay'ron has been nominated as most Accountable student of the month of October. This school year Jay'ron has shown anything can happen if you stay consistent and chase your goals. He has maintained "Gold" status this school year, which [...]
Ms. Garcia for Staff of the Month!
Ms. Garcia has been nominated as the most Accountable staff for the month of October. She onboarded with the High Road team in Fall 2022 as a Social Work Intern at Camino Alto and loved it so much that she applied to work for the Fairfield County program. She is a teacher assistant in the middle school and an amazing addition to the team. Whenever you are in her presence [...]
Army Veteran Mentors at Excel Academy of Roseland
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
From Military Service to Education: Lina’s Inspiring Journey
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Sierra School of Solano’s Annual Fall Fest
Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of Solano’s Harvest Fest
Our annual Sierra School Harvest Festival took place on October 31st! We had a costume parade, trunk or treating, a bounce house, and a bunch of games and prizes. The students and staff had a great time! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of San Diego’s Thanksgiving Feast
Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of San Diego’s Miles dancing his way to good grades!
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Autism Awareness and Community Building at Northwest Center for Autism
Officer Soberano is the proud parent of Ben, a student at our school. He brought his autism awareness wrapped police SUV to our fall open house recently - he designed the wrap himself! The students had a lot of fun exploring the vehicle and interacting with Officer Soberano.
High Road School of Lima Trick or Treat 2023
High Road School of Lima held their annual Trick or Treat in downtown Lima outside of the school. Local businesses and entities participated in creating a fun and safe event for the students. Thank you to the High School 2 class for planning the event and setting up activities for their classmates!
Sierra School of Sacramento’s Thanksgiving Feast 2023
Join Sierra School of Sacramento for a Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 16 at 12pm! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of San Diego’s Rowan excels in math!
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The Perils of Bad Choices and the Rewards of Positive Choices
Come join the Sierra Sonoma Community in watching and celebrating a self-produced play put on by our elementary students.
Sierra School of Sacramento’s First Grizzly Cub
With the growing success of Sierra School of Sacramento's Grizzly status Mr. Hefner and Ms. Maher partnered up to create a Grizzly Cub Status for our BEST model students. To become a grizzly cub students need to be making significant progress with academics, behaviors and be a helpful friend to their peers. Phillip is the first grizzly sub at Sierra School of Sacramento and everyone is thrilled for him! [...]
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale Student Spotlight: Cameron
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Sierra School of San Diego’s Omar shows amazing leadership
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What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Sierra School of San Diego’s Cooper wins Student of the Month for being considerate!
Cooper won Student of the Month in Ms. Philip's class! The theme was Considerate. Cooper does a great job of being considerate to staff and peers. He was able to take a staff of his choice to Sierra's Waffle house this Friday. Learn more about our school today.
High Road School of Mt. Healthy Staff of the Month: Mr. Fuller!
Mr. Fuller is High Road School of Mt. Healthy's staff member of the month. After being a teacher assistant last year, Mr. Fuller has stepped into teaching ELA for our 6-12 program. He has accepted the challenge of the new role and expectations and has kept his always pleasant and positive mindset. We are so lucky to have Mr. Fuller! Learn more about our school today. [...]
High Road School of Wright City Student of the Month: Carsten
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Sierra School of San Diego’s Andre jumps into the school year!
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High Road School of Bucyrus September Staff Spotlight: Annika
Our staff for the month of August is Mrs. P! Mrs. P radiates positive energy throughout the building, is always finding creative ways to engage her students, and is always uplifting her colleagues. Mrs. P loves wearing bright and colorful outfits, including her pencil hair clips which we love! Mrs. P has been a great addition to our team this school year and we look forward to all the [...]
High Road School of Bucyrus August Staff Spotlight: Ceyanna
Our staff for the month of August is Ms. Ceyanna. Ms. Ceyanna always shows up to work with a positive attitude and is always willing to go where she is needed. Ms. Ceyanna is a hard worker, is diligent with her daily duties, and has a great relationship with our students and staff. We are lucky to have her as a part of our team! Congratulations, Ms. Ceyanna, and [...]
Sierra School of Sunnyside United Student Spotlight: Abel
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High Road School serving Marion County’s special needs children
High Road School is filling a need for families of special needs children (grades K-12) in Marion County, according to school officials.Located on the campus of Pleasant Local Schools, 1101 Owens Road W., High Road School of Marion County opened its doors in January 2023 and local families have responded positively. Program Director Wendy Sanford said 28 students are currently enrolled at the school, which has agreements with Marion City [...]
Landan’s Remarkable Transition: Returning to Public High School
By the time Landan first walked through the doors at the High Road School of Wright City (Missouri), he had already been through several behavioral programs. Unfortunately, those programs only made minimal progress, as Landan still displayed physical aggression and verbal defiance while falling far behind in his academics. His family knew a change was necessary. “The challenges of the situation had us concerned for Landan’s future,” said his [...]
High Road Academy of Prince George’s County Back to School Night
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Sierra School of San Diego’s Demetrius rockin’ the new school year!
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Jackson brings a smile to his staff and classmates
Jackson has been working on his math assessment for the past couple of weeks which has been a long and challenging task for him. Today, however, he advocated to work in a separate, less distracting space, worked hard for an hour and ended up completing the assessment! He earned a Case Note (10 extra points in our school wide incentive system) and got to visit and feed the bearded [...]
Sierra School of San Diego’s Wolf Exchange officially opens for business
Students and staff have been working really hard to get our Wolf Exchange thrift store up and running for this school year. All items have been donated by families and staff. The Wolf Exchange will create job skill opportunities for all students. Jobs such as cashier, security, greeter, floor manager, dressing room attendant, clothes organizer, etc. In addition, students will be able to spend case cash at the Wolf [...]
High Road Academy of Howard County School Pictures 2023-2024
Star-Light Studios will once again take this year's School Pictures on Tuesday, Oct. 3rd and Wednesday, Oct. 4th. Seniors and all other Upper School students are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Lower School students will have their photos taken on Wednesday, Oct. 4. Information to order students' school pictures will be provided by Star-Light Studios. Learn more about our school today.
High Road Academy of Howard County Open House 2023-2024
Please join us for an Open House on Thursday, Oct. 12th from 12:00pm-2:00pm to celebrate the 2023-2024 school year and HRA's relocation to our new campus in Maple Lawn/Fulton. We are looking forward to hosting current and former students and their families, staff members and local school system representatives. Learn more about our school today.
FullBloom Acquires EmpowerU, Deepening Its Commitment to Mental Health Services
Move enhances company mission of supporting students’ resilience and mental well-being to unlock learning potential and academic outcomes PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FullBloom, a leading provider of special education, instructional intervention, behavioral health, and professional development solutions, today announced the acquisition of EmpowerU, a premier provider of evidence-based programs that improve student motivation, behaviors, and mental health. EmpowerU provides both Tier 1 teacher-led curriculum and Tier 2 [...]
Sierra School of Sacramento’s August Sierra Stars!
Each month our students are given awards for their academic & behavioral accomplishments as well as campus leadership & perfect attendance! We also like to celebrate our awesome staff too! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of Sacramento Anthony Transitions Back to District
On September 4, 2023 Anthony transitioned back to his school of residence. Anthony had been a student at Sierra for 5 years. Anthony started with Ms. Davis and Mr. Ford in his 9th grade year. At the beginning of the year Anthony required individualized behavior interventions and a modified instructional schedule. Anthony reports not being motivated until working with Ms. Davis & Mr. Ford. Through their support he was [...]
High Road School of Mt. Healthy Staff of the Month: Mr. Knox!
High Road School of Mt Healthy is excited to announce our staff member of the month for August 2023, Mr. Knox. Behavior Tech Mr. Knox began this school year with his typical positive and upbeat attitude and comes every day ready to lead and inspire our students to be the best they can. Mr. Knox works hard daily to lead by example and to go above and beyond. We [...]
Sierra School of Peoria Student Spotlight: De’Andre
De'Andre says he, “used to do crazy things like get mad and yell at my teachers and classmates. Sometimes, I would get really mad and try to hurt other people. I've gotten a lot of help with controlling myself. Now I get to go on a tour and see a new school where I will have more opportunities. It's been hard work, but my family and my teachers never gave [...]
In-District Classroom Webinar
Register today for our upcoming webinar to learn all about SESI’s impactful In-District Classroom (IDC) program, our innovative and highly successful approach to behavioral support that allows students with intensive needs to thrive in a highly structured, therapeutic environment within your district walls. Register Now WEBINAR DETAILS: In-District Classroom Webinar Thursday, November 2, 2023 @ 1:00 PM ET Duration: 45 Minutes In [...]
Sierra School of Peoria hosts Family Training event by DDD
Sierra School of Peoria will host the AZ Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) for a Family training event on Thursday 9/14 @ 5:30pm. Learn more about our school today.
Sierra Academy hosts Donuts with the Director
The Sierra Academy leadership team hosted District Partners for some delicious student coffee shop beverages and donuts to celebrate the start of a new year! Learn more about our school today.
Back-to-school events help CPS students prepare for upcoming school year
CHICAGO — Students at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are preparing to head back to class and a couple of events were held on Friday to help get kids ready. In Morgan Park, Graduates Over Guns along with Chicago Excel Academy and Mount Calvary Baptist Church teamed up for a back-to-school bash. It is one of several events taking place in the city to help families get ready for the [...]
How I foster an inclusive classroom as a new teacher
Justin White, Special Education Teacher, High Road School of Delaware August 10, 2023 A military veteran who was drawn to teaching shares his experiences as a Black male educator and role model for children Key points: Being a successful teacher is about more than academics–you must understand students’ unique struggles Students thrive when they see educators who look like them, especially when that educator radiates positivity, perseverance, and respect [...]
Excel Academy of South Shore Students Take their Shot at Inaugural Summer Basketball Camp
While other students might be taking it easy this summer, 25 students from Excel Academies’ South Shore, Englewood and Roseland campuses, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, took their hoops skills to the next level at a basketball camp hosted at Excel Academy of South Shore. The camp was sponsored by the schools and Xsposure Runs. Summer 2023 marks the first year of the camp, which will [...]
Set Them Up for Success: Strategies for Supporting Students with Challenging Behavior in the Classroom
Join Dr. Diane Myers, SESI’s Senior Vice President of Special Education – Behavior, as she hosts an upcoming webinar, Set Them Up for Success: Strategies for Supporting Students with Challenging Behavior in the Classroom. This informative webinar will focus on reframing how we think about challenging behavior while setting up classrooms to increase the success of students with challenging behaviors. The aim of this webinar is for educators [...]
Specialized Education Services, Inc. Expands Footprint in California With Acquisition of Lattice Educational Services
PHILADELPHIA , July 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and behavioral supports, today announced the acquisition of Lattice Educational Services (Lattice), a California Department of Education (CDE) nonpublic school program located in the heart of Sonoma County. Lattice provides individualized learning opportunities and resources to students with developmental disabilities. The acquisition expands SESI’s special [...]
Mount Prospect school helps break down barriers for students with special needs
People with disabilities often face significant barriers to finding employment, both in learning applicable job skills and employers' awareness of their capabilities. That's where the High Road School of Mount Prospect's Adult Preparation Program comes in, helping break down barriers for young adults with special needs. The private, therapeutic school serves students from more than 38 public school districts across the collar counties. It emphasizes independence, choice-making, communication, money [...]
Congrats Sierra School of Solano Class of 2023!
On Friday, June 9th We had our graduation ceremony. Congratulations Jaiden, Aaron, Kameron, and Christian!
Sierra School of Alhambra Play Ball!
Sierra School of Alhambra students recently traded their classrooms for a baseball field. A school-wide baseball game brought together students from the BEST, PALS, and ACI programs for the first time. The friendly game included 15 students and multiple staff members. The community building activity provided hours of entertainment, physical activity and lessons in team spirit. “We wanted the students to show good sportsmanship and teamwork, but most of [...]
High Road School of Mt. Healthy Celebrates Seniors with Luncheon
On Tuesday May 23rd, the staff of High Road, our District partners, and graduating seniors celebrated their accomplishments with an outstanding lunch donated by the RODI restaurant out of Loveland, Ohio! Learn more about our school today.
High Road School at Mt. Healthy Students Celebrating Our Graduating Seniors!
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Former Sierra School of Antioch Student Maintains Honor Roll at Local District High School
With graduation around the corner, Janae W., a former honor roll student at Sierra School of Antioch, is set to earn her diploma from Antioch High School with a 4.0 GPA. Before transferring back to her home school during her senior year, Janae had attended Sierra School of Antioch since the sixth grade. There, she excelled Janae’s first day of sixth grade at Sierra School of Antioch. [...]
Special Education Students Attend Masquerade-Themed Prom
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Kezirah’s Student Dedication
During the 2022-2023 school year, Kezirah has blossomed into a successful member of the AWA student body. She has diligently and humbly earned superior grades, treated both staff and fellow students with respect and compassion and demonstrated leadership skills during the 2022-2023 school year. Kezirah is always the first to stand up and offer her assistance whether it is for staff or other students. We are so proud [...]
Wayne Academy – Teacher of the Year
Teacher of the Year is an honorable award for someone who exceeds creativity, dedication, hard work, leadership, and professionalism. This year, Ms. Jalissa Exil has been nominated as our Regional Teacher of the Year. Ms. Exil has met all these standards and more. She has been a positive influence on both staff and students and continues to outshine with her leadership skills. Leading by example, always present and [...]
Sierra School of San Diego Student Spotlight: Tori
Sierra School of San Diego's student spotlight, Tori, completed her last day of work at Smart and Final for the school year! She had a great last day - her smile says it all! Congrats Tori!
High Road School of Lima Impromptu Concert
High Road School of Lima students and staff had the pleasure of listening to students from Heritage Elementary School play their Ukulele's. The students were performing in various places around downtown Lima. We appreciated them sharing their talent with us!
Class of 2023 Senior Luncheon
High Road School of Philadelphia celebrated their senior year at our Senior Luncheon at the Cheesecake Factory! After lunch, they enjoyed the rest of the school day off. Congrats Class of 2023! Learn more about our school today.
Specialized Education Services, Inc. Unveils 2023 Staff and Teacher of the Year Winners
PHILADELPHIA, May 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced Kristi Hoffman as its 2023 Teacher of the Year (TOY) and Ashanti Brooks as its 2023 Staff of the Year (STOY). The designations [...]
School of the Week: Excel Academy South helps students reach greatness
Excel Academy South is an accelerated school program that provides students who are behind on credits obtain their high school diploma. Located at 4641 Roosevelt Boulevard, Excel provides a high school education at an accelerated pace with students earning their diploma in two and half years, depending on the number of high school credits students bring with and accumulate each term. “We have a great partnership with the Philadelphia [...]
Safe Achieve Academy Students Win 2023 CAAEL Spelling Bee
Four students from the Safe Achieve Academy, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, made school history when they won the Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL) Spelling Bee. While the team initially took part in the spelling bee just for entertainment, they walked away with a historic win, in part due to encouragement to do their best and a little competitive spirit from Terrance Sirleaf, a behavioral [...]
Excel Academy of Roseland Hosts “Keep It Pretty, Girl” Women’s History Month Empowerment Brunch
In honor of Women’s History Month, Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, hosted select staff, students, and influential women of Chicago's communities for its second annual empowerment brunch. “Keep it Pretty, Girl”, sought to inspire and motivate students to achieve academic, professional and personal success, while deepening a connection with staff and community leaders. During the event, students engaged with successful businesswomen and [...]
Excel Academy of Roseland Students Artwork on Display
Recently, eight students from the Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, had the opportunity to showcase their artwork and get a taste of the Big Easy in the Windy City. The students, along with some of their loved ones, attended the first annual Mardi Gras for Mental Health Gala hosted by a local nonprofit organization, the Idell-McCarthy Foundation For Second Chances, at the [...]
Tuesday Tumbling at Sierra School of Solano County
Below are pictures from Sierra School of Solano County's weekly Tuesday Tumbling event at a neighboring gymnastics' school!
High Road School at Hoffman Estates celebrates Staff Appreciation Month with a Farmer’s Market Buffet
The Admin Team at HRS at Hoffman Estates kicked off the start of National Educator/Teacher/Staff Appreciation Month with a Farmer's Market of goodies for the amazing staff who work so hard every day to serve students. THANK YOU for your dedication to doing right by kids and for living our mission each day!
Specialized Education Services, Inc. Grows Educational Offerings in Illinois With Acquisition of NewHope Academy
May 11, 2023, Philadelphia, PA -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) today announced the acquisition of NewHope Academy (NHA), a special education school in Arlington Heights, Illinois, that serves those living with autism, emotional disabilities, specific learning disabilities, or other health impairments. The addition of NHA is part of SESI’s strategic growth plan, focusing on expanding its premier education services nationally to K-12 students who require extra academic and behavioral [...]
Recognizing Educators Who Support Special and Alternative Education Students
By Dawn Thomas, President of SESI As Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week ends, I wanted to highlight a certain segment within the K-12 education sector that’s close to my heart, the exceptional professionals devoted to the world of special and alternative education. These compassionate educators work tirelessly to unlock the potential of each unique student, which has become more important as the number of students receiving special [...]
Student Thrives at High Road Upper School of Prince George’s County
Johnathan Price has become more independent and confident since enrolling at the High Road Upper School of Prince George’s County this school year. The 17-year-old’s mother, Jewel Price, says she is grateful and thankful to faculty and staff for the changes she has seen in her son, whose favorite subjects include computers and music. “He has a whole new level of confidence,” she said. “He’s come a long way.” [...]
Celebrating World Autism Month at the Northwest Center for Autism
Last month, faculty and staff the Northwest Center for Autism at High Road School went all out in honoring and celebrating the unique talents, perspectives and strengths of their students during World Autism Month. “We believe in empowering each student to reach their full potential in and outside of the classroom,” said Jessica Robbins, a special education teacher at the school. “April’s special events were designed to create a [...]
Sierra School of Alhambra empowers students to serve their community
As April comes to its close, so does National Autism Awareness Month for the students and teachers at Sierra School of Alhambra. Here, young people of all learning abilities are encouraged to meet their full potential. And that’s a big mission on a campus that serves students ages 8 through 22, from the Los Angeles Unified School District and other school districts in the San Gabriel Valley. The students at Sierra have learning, [...]
May 2023 JAWSOME Lunch
All students who had 2 or less absences and no incident reports during the month of May will earn lunch with the directors and behavior team. Here are this month's JAWSOME students:
High Road School at Mt. Healthy Students Celebrate Cinco De Mayo!
Students and staff enjoyed homecooked tacos and other treats during their recognition of Cinco De Mayo. Students during the week took part in learning the significance of the holiday within Hispanic Culture and its modernized celebration in today's world. Learn more about our school today.
Noah’s Quick Action Results in Fire Extinguishment
Noah's Quick Thinking Saves the Day! We are proud to share the incredible actions of one of our students, Noah! On his way to school this morning, he noticed smoke rising from a set of bushes in front of a hospital clinic a few blocks from the school. Without hesitation, he alerted Mr. R. who came to his location. Despite failing to obtain water, Noah didn't give up and [...]
May the 4th Be with You!
High Road School at Hoffman Estates team celebrates Star Wars Day (May the 4th) with a costume contest!
5 Strategies for Supporting Children with Behavioral Challenges During Summer Break
By Dr. Diane Myers, SVP, Special Education—Behavior at SESI Summer break is a time associated with being carefree, enjoying the sun and some down time, and limited structure. Families of children with behavioral challenges may not experience the same excitement when summer break nears, as removing the structure that comes with a regular school routine can lead to severe disruptions in the home. Here are [...]
High Road School of York Prom With Landon
High Road School of York student, Landon, takes a prom photo next to his late father's memorial tree. Landon had a great time at the Dover High School Prom. Lookin’ good Landon! Learn more about our school today.
Sharing Our Joys During Autism Awareness Month
Some of our Sierra School of San Diego students with Autism shared things they love and love to do as part of Autism Awareness month. Caleb's favorite activity is surfing, look how proud he is! "Today Caleb presented to the class pictures and videos of himself at the Autism Society Surf Camp. Caleb has been attending surf camp for 10 years! He enjoys surfing and thinks it is very [...]
Member Spotlight – Pete
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High Road Academy of Howard County Spring Dance 2023
HRA's Spring Spirit Week will be held Monday, May 1st through Friday, May 5th. Prizes will be awarded daily to the class with the greatest number of students and staff in participation. Learn more about our school today.
High Road Academy of Howard County Spirit Week – Spring 2023
HRA's Spring Spirit Week will be held Monday, May 1st through Friday, May 5th. Prizes will be awarded daily to the class with the greatest number of students and staff in participation. Learn more about our school today.
Mount Prospect students shine at the Illinois Special Olympics Spring Games
Special Olympics Spring Games took place on Sunday April 16th at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect. High Road School had 6 athletes compete in a either the 50 Meter Dash, 100 M Dash, Softball Throw or Mini-Javelin Throw. Diego Torres, Bryan Lopez, Bryce Watts and Alex Arroyo all placed in 1st in their running event which qualifies them for State Summer Games which will take place in June [...]
Jayden’s Story: Back on Track
Jayden walked through the doors of the High Road School of Baltimore County in 2015, in his mother Yolanda’s words, “out of control” with his behavior and nearly non-communicative. After years of hard work and support, the 19-year-old 11th grader has made tremendous progress and is now thriving in the classroom. Destructive Behavior Necessitated a Change The behavior Jayden consistently displayed prior to enrolling at HRS of Baltimore County [...]
Sierra School of Weld County’s Class of 2023!
Tyler and Donte have earned their rite of passage, crossing a threshold from years of hard work and studious dedication into a new beginning of their next chapter of life. Sierra School of Weld County staff are honored and proud to be a part of a great accomplishment. Visit our website to learn more about Sierra School [...]
Take a Peep of Our Easter Houses!
On Wednesday, April 5th, we made Easter peep houses. The students had a great time designing their house!
Sierra School of Solano County Science Fair
On Friday March 31st we had our school science fair. Each classroom participated and did a fantastic job! The students were able to see each classroom's project, hear the presenters, and even get hands on with many of the science projects. Room 4 won 1st place, Room 8 won 2nd place, Room 2 won 3rd place. [...]
Sierra Day Program (DTA) participated in the SUSD Transition Fair
Ms. King and Mr. Scott spoke with SUSD families about the Sierra Day Program (DTA) to share information about this post-secondary option for local graduates. Learn more about our school today.
Sierra Peoria celebrates the arrival of April as Autism Awareness Month
The month of April is dedicated to autism awareness. Sierra School of Peoria has been participating in and coordinating many activities for our students and families. We started off the month with “light it up blue” masks for all the staff. Our high school transitions team, staff, and students who run the coffee cart created specialty drinks for the month, “light it up blue” foam for the latte drinks [...]
Educators discuss the education needs of autistic students
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Yesterday we heard about what makes people with autism unique, today we learn what it takes to help children with autism learn at school. Bethany Ulrick has more. Experts say the first window to recognize the signs of autism is the first three years of a child's life. If a child is taking longer than usual to meet developmental milestones, like crawling or speaking, it's recommended [...]
Transition Olympics
High Road Schools in Maryland and Delaware participated in the 2nd annual Transition Olympics, a fantastic event that encourages student engagement in the Transition & Life Skills program through friendly competition.
The Transition Olympics Test “Life Skills”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzHNwnzvnpM&t=2s
Ready, set, adult: Students compete in Delaware school’s ‘life skills’ Olympics
Sometimes it's hard to know if you're ready for something until you just do it. Take "adulting" for instance. To prepare for the inevitable, young people go to schools for academic instruction. They get tested on what they learn in the classroom, but life as an adult takes more than academics. Students also need social and job skills. But how do they demonstrate they have these skill sets, especially [...]
Experts provide insight into the autism spectrum as part of Autism Awareness Month
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - April is Autism Awareness Month. Our Bethany Ulrick spoke to experts at High Road School of Lima to learn more about what makes individuals with autism unique. Autism awareness has come a long way in the past decade, partly thanks to the inclusion of characters on the spectrum in TV and movies. But it's important to realize those portrayals don't apply to everyone, and individuals with autism [...]
Sierra Schools of Arizona celebrate Autism Awareness night with the Phoenix Suns
April is World Autism Month and the Sierra Schools of Arizona are celebrating by taking local special needs kids to see the Phoenix Suns play. FOX 10’s Marissa Sarbak was at the Footprint Center on April 4 where the students and staff got to watch the game together. Watch Fox10 News
San Diego Moms: Tips for Teaching Inclusive Play During Autism Awareness Month
A few weeks ago, my son’s classmate taught him how to “play Spiderman.” The conversation began when the classmate told his mother that my son didn’t know how to play the game. In response, the mother told her son she should teach him how to play by showing him what he could do. The classmate went to school the next day and did exactly that during recess. The response? [...]
Spring Lunch & Learn at Sierra School of Peoria
Sierra Schools of Arizona hosted a Professional Development session, led by Dr. Diane Myers, SVP of Behavior Programs SESI, at Sierra School of Peoria. Regional leaders, community members, stakeholders and Sierra staff gathered for an afternoon of learning and networking. Learn more about our school today.
Phoenix Suns Autism Night on ABC15 Arizona/KNXV-TV
We are pleased to share the ABC15 Arizona/KNXV-TV segments from yesterday's Phoenix Suns autism night/pregaming basketball event at the Sierra School of Peoria. Xavier Kairy was interviewed and included in two of the three segments. Great job! Learn more about our school today.
Student of the Month – March 2023
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Staff Member of the Month – March 2023
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Training for the Transitional Olympics
ELKTON — A team of students from High Road School of Cecil County will travel to Wilmington, Del. on March 30 to compete for awards in the Transitional Olympics. These teenagers in Morgan Davis’ class have been practicing their daily life skills for weeks in hopes of bringing home a prize to their school on Singerly Road in Elkton. What the average adult sees as the drudgery of folding [...]
Student and “Big Buddy” Thrives at Sierra School of East Valley
Sam H. enrolled at the Sierra School of East Valley soon after the school opened in 2021. Now a student for nearly two years, the 18-year-old says she likes her teachers, the staff and that she’s also learned a lot. “And I’m not talking academically. Don’t get me wrong, I did learn a lot of new material that I didn’t know before. But I mostly learned how to cope, [...]
Excel Academy of South Shore celebrates graduates of inaugural EMR training program
Leadership at the Excel Academy of South Shore recently held a special ceremony honoring nine high school students, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, for their successful completion of Superior Ambulance's accredited Emergency Medical Responders (EMR) training program. The students each received a certificate and an elective credit. This impressive achievement for the students marks the second time Excel Academy students were offered enrollment into the EMR program – [...]
Graham Academy Students Publish Book on “What Kindness Means to Us”
Eight students at The Graham Academy, a special education elementary school for students living with autism and students living with behavioral challenges, can now say “I am a published author”. Their writing activity assignments for World Kindness Day in November were collected and published into a professionally bound hardcover book. "What Kindness Means to Us" is now in print. Teacher Michelle Toepfer found the idea for the book publishing program [...]
SPOTLIGHT: High Road School of Delaware social worker integral in helping her students achieve academic success
Every day and especially on World Social Work Day (March 21), it's important to highlight the essential role social workers play in promoting the well-being of students and their families. For the past three years Jade Rosenberg, MSS, HSV, a licensed social worker, has worked at the High Road School of Delaware as a full-time, on-site social worker. In this role, she serves some of the most vulnerable students [...]
School social workers fill critical gaps in student care
On World Social Work Day, school and community leaders can recognize the essential role that social workers play in promoting student well-being By MICHELLE WILLIAMS, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Special Education Services, Inc. | March 21, 2023 - As a social worker for an in-district classroom inside of a Texas elementary school, I have the honor of serving some of the most vulnerable students in our community. On [...]
High Road School of Nashville Program Director Receives Surprise Proclamation from Mayor’s Office
Gentry Campbell, program director at the High Road School of Nashville, received a special (and surprise!) proclamation recently from Mayor John Cooper’s office. She was recognized for her leadership and dedication towards making sure the needs of High Road’s students are met so they may thrive in and out of school. Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement Brenda Haywood presented the proclamation. “I am humbled to receive this honor,” said [...]
Walk-a-thon Fundraiser
In April, for Autism Awareness Month, students will be walking to raise funds for an end of year carnival! Donations can be made by lap or a one-time donation.
High Road Students Enjoy Cincinnati Zoo Trip
Several students and staff enjoyed their Thursday at the Cincinnati Zoo. Students who attended the trip were those who regularly meet or exceed the CASE expectations! For many of these young men and women this was their first trip to the zoo and thoroughly enjoyed their time! Learn more about our school today. [...]
Student Spotlight – Ali
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Empowering Students to Tackle Test Anxiety
By Diane Myers, PhD, SVP, Special Education – Behavior at SESI Brittany Croteau, MSW, LCSW-C, Director of Behavior Support at SESI Ask any educator about the most challenging time of year and you’re likely to get a response related to state or district testing. While we all understand the need for annual assessments as a measure of progress, students and staff alike often experience heightened stress during “testing season.” [...]
Winter Classic Basketball Game
This "Winter Classic" staff vs. student basketball game was played on 3/10/2023 at a local Philadelphia recreation center! Learn more about our school today.
No hibernating for High Road School of Wright City Staff as they take Polar Plunge to support the Special Olympics
On February 4, faculty members from the High Road School of Wright City left their warm beds and headed for the frigid waters of Lake Saint Louis in Missouri. This marked the staff’s third year participating in the “Polar Plunge” event, in support of Special Olympics Missouri athletes. Adding to the fun, the team from the High Road School wore costumes representative of ‘90s cartoon characters for their dip [...]
SESI’s Behavior Tip of the Month: Behavior Reinforcement
The concept of reinforcement is fairly simple, but powerful: Behavior followed by pleasant results (for the person behaving) is likely to be repeated in the future. Using reinforcement to increase appropriate behavior in the classroom is highly effective but requires careful planning and a thoughtful approach. Let's take a closer look at how we can use reinforcement to increase socially appropriate behavior for all students, including those with disabilities. [...]
End of the Quarter Breakfast
Students enjoyed the High Road end of the quarter breakfast provided and hosted by Ms. Bozeman. Students enjoyed home cooked eggs, pancakes, sausages, fruit salad, and juice! Learn more about our school today.
Black History Month Celebration
Students and staff from multiple Ohio campuses took part in creating Black History themed bulletin boards to educate the importance of their chosen campus themes! Learn more about our school today.
Student of the Month – February 2023
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Staff Member of the Month – February 2023
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Staff Member of the Month – January 2023
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Excel Academies and Safe Achieve Academy of Chicago Commemorate Black History Month with fun challenges
Students and staff at the Excel Academies and Safe Achieve Academy, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Option Network celebrated Black History Month by taking part in several special activities Leadership at The Excel Academy of Roseland held their first annual Black History Month Trivia Competition and luncheon that highlighted Black culture, history and food. Students and staff also participated in the Urban Trivia challenge, where teams answered questions [...]
Sierra Strong – Dynamic Stretching
On Wednesdays, we stretch! Welcome to Sierra strong dynamic stretching and breathing. Slow down your week with balance, flexibility and strength. Dynamic stretching helps our students stay focused and composed. Our midweek Sierra strong is a “breath of fresh air.” Wednesday dynamic stretching teaches our students coping strategies as well as unity and togetherness.
Sierra Football League 2022/2023
This school year 2022/2023, we started the inaugural "Sierra Football League!" Over 50 students across the campus participated in a Football Skills Assessment and were then broken up into 6 different teams with ages ranging from Elementary all the way up to our ACT program (22yrs). The teams consisted of the Broncos, Chiefs, Chargers, Raiders, Cowboys, and Eagles. Each Friday, parents were invited [...]
Our Sensory Room
Our sensory room at Sierra features a variety of swings, trampolines, a hammock, 2 large sensory fidget boards, a scooter ramp, and more. Students access the sensory room to engage in regulating activities to get their mind and bodies ready to learn. Many students also utilize this space as their preferred, earned break.
Zen Den
When feeling overwhelmed, sad, or confused, students come to our Zen Den to access a quiet, calm, and comforting environment. With dimmed lights, soothing sound machines, and an array of comfortable seating in "nature", students take time and space to regulate their emotions in a supportive setting.
These Philly high school students almost didn’t earn diplomas. Here’s how they made it.
Quisean Suter-Robinson's graduation wasn't the one he initially dreamed of, but that's OK. “It feels better because I didn’t fold under pressure. The things along the way built my character," he said. Graduates including Kaiyon Jaynes (front) listen to instructions from administrators prior to the 2022-2023 mid-year high school commencement ceremony at the School of the Future in Phila., Pa. on Wed., Feb. 08, 2023. For Khalia [...]
High Road Mid-Atlantic Schools Give Back
Staff and students from High Road Schools in the Mid-Atlantic region recently came together to participate in a community winter clothing and food drive event, hosted by the “Responsive Schools Initiative.” The Initiative focuses on social justice, responding to community concerns, and the promise to always address the needs of both students and staff. In collaboration with The Heartlight Foundation, which aims to make a difference in the lives [...]
SESI’s Behavior Tip of the Month: Maximizing Structure
Maximizing structure helps make the most of each school day and proactively sets the stage for student success. The ideal environment is one in which students and staff can efficiently and effectively meet their expectations for the day. We’ll take a look at the five components of how to best maximize structure to create an environment conducive to positive classroom outcomes. Structure in the Classroom There are three types [...]
Sierra School of Sacramento Students Enjoy Global School Day of Play
Students at the Sierra School of Sacramento spent a day outside of the classroom on Global School Play Day, an initiative to encourage more unstructured play during the school day. Sierra hosts a special event annually on February 1 to mark the occasion. The children and teens had fun playing with large board games, art stations and enjoying their brand-new playground that includes slides, swings, climbers, activity panels - [...]
Students at High Road School Baltimore County Showcase Talent
More than a dozen students at High Road School of Baltimore County entertained their classmates, staff and family members with song and dance at the school's recent talent show. The event encouraged students to showcase something they were passionate about. Several students created dance routines, while others showed off moves from TikTok. Other performances included students singing pop, R&B, rap and country music songs. Additionally, one student shared their [...]
Excel Academy of Roseland Alumna Delivers Meals and Inspiration to Students
If you ask Jakayla Kitt about the Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, she’ll tell you it was the best high school she ever attended. Kitt, who graduated in 2015, said she lacked the motivation to go to school when she was younger, which lead to her dropping out multiple times. However, that changed once she enrolled at the Excel Academy. “I had an [...]
Sierra School of Alhambra Global Day of Play
See how we celebrated Global Day of Play on February 1! BEST Model PALS Model
Global Day of Play
Global Day of Play Wednesday Feb 1st, 2023 – Each classroom had a different fun activity for all the other classrooms to enjoy. We had everything from board games, crafts, and even outside group games.
Sierra School 2022 Thanksgiving Feast
Sierra School of San Diego’s ACT Program hosted the 2022 Thanksgiving Feast. Coming back from COVID restrictions and the school tripling in size, the ACT program created a new and improved Thanksgiving Feast! The ACT students grocery shopped for the food items, prepped all the food, cooked the food the day of and served the food/drinks to our guests. The feast menu included: water, lemonade, rolls, salad, gluten free and [...]
Students vs Staff Basketball Game
Students and staff love our monthly students vs staff games. This month the students played against the staff here on Sierra blacktop. The students learned fundamentals about the game of basketball and got to wear jerseys to look the part! Unfortunately, the students could not get the win this month! Learn more about our school today. [...]
Excel Academy of Englewood celebrates graduates of its EMS program
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A special ceremony on Friday honored seven high school students from the Excel Academy of Englewood. They graduated from the emergency medical responders training program. The 56-hour course is taught by EMS instructors and upon graduation, students have a guaranteed job with Superior Ambulance. This marks the first time high school students were offered enrollment into the EMR program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9-k004PHqc
Staff Member of the Month – December 2022
Learn more about our school today.
Spirit Week – Winter 2023
High Road Academy's Winter Spirit Week will be held Monday, Feb. 6th through Friday, Feb. 10th. Prizes will be awarded daily to the class with the greatest number of students and staff in participation. Learn more about our school today.
Ms. Scott’s Kinetic Energy Lab!
Ms. Scott's high school students enjoyed learning and competing in her kinetic energy lab this past week. Teams of students researched, developed, and measured the success of their kinetic energy ramps! Learn more about our school today.
Mock Interview Scores Student of the Week recent Job!
High School junior and current Student of the Week Jaelyn Powell recently benefited from recent mock interview practices with Mr. R., Ms. Bozeman, and Dr. K. by landing recent employment at Marshalls! Great Prep work and follow-through! Learn more about our school today.
Campus Help Norm!
Students at High Road School at Mt. Healthy assisted Mr. Aguirre in placing our new CASE Matrices around campus! "Around here we take ownership in our school!" Learn more about our school today.
Sierra School of Gilbert celebrates the 100th day
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Ice Cream Social at the New Sierra Cafe
To kick off our new school, and new school year, we held an ice cream social for all classrooms. This gave our students time to see all their friends' faces and explore our new Sierra Café!
Brand New Playground
All the students were very excited to have a new school, but our elementary students in Room 1 loved the new playground the most! Fun play structures, new basketball courts, and plenty of room to run!
Winter Dance 2023
HRA is excited to announce our Winter Dance 2023 will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16th. The dance will occur during regular school hours, with Lower School students attending from 9:30-10:30am and Upper School students attending from 10:30-11:30am. In addition to music, dancing and games, refreshments will be provided. Alternate activities will also be available for any students preferring not to attend the dance. Learn more [...]
Sierra Chefs Program Makes Learning Life Skills Sweet
Students at the Sierra School of Sacramento don’t mind getting their hands dirty when it comes to learning. After a significant amount of interest from the students, staff launched Sierra Chefs, a food-focused program, aimed at teaching life skills – like food handling, money management and shopping – in a fun, engaging and hands-on way. “These life skills are critically important for our students to master,” said Kim Guzman, [...]
SESI’s Behavior Tip of the Month: Building Relationships
One of the most important aspects of a positive school community is relationships—those between staff and students and between the students themselves. Building strong relationships helps us be proactive and preventative in how we approach student behavior; the better we know our students, the more we know how to help them be successful. Let’s talk about relationships within a school community, why they’re so important to the success of [...]
December Events 2022
December is always filled with so much fun! This year we filled the whole month with hot chocolate, holiday card making, gingerbread houses, and an ugly sweater day! On December 23rd we had our annual Multi-Cultural Fair. Each classroom picks a country and creates a display. All the staff and students get to engage by listening, asking questions, and [...]
Season of Giving and Gratitude at Excel Academy of Roseland
What better way to bring in the holiday cheer than sharing with others during the season of giving? Students at the Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, channeled the spirit of giving back with this year’s “HOLI-Dance”. Staff asked students to bring at least one canned food item for entry to the event. By the end of HOLI-Dance, approximately 75 cans were collected [...]
Taking a Brain Break
Students taking a brain break and trying out the new Smart Boards!
Practicing Life Skills at Starbucks
Two pictures of the Elementary Classroom Students earning a reward for exemplary work and behavior and practicing life skills by ordering on their own.
A Science Lesson Using Slime
ACI High School creating slime after a science lesson on liquid turning into solid with ingredients. Photographed: Ms. Amber Hawthorne (Teacher Assistant), Ileana, Jordan, Robert, Jesse.
Showing School Spirit With… Pajamas!
During spirit week Jordan and Jesse shared their school spirit and wore their pajamas. “I can wear pajamas everyday if I could” - Jordan.
A field trip earned with C.A.S.E. cash!
ACI Middle School went on a field trip to the community park. Field trips are earned with C.A.S.E. cash.
Miles using his C.A.S.E. cash
Miles is an ACI student using his C.A.S.E. cash in our C.A.S.E. store to purchase snacks and fidget toys. Students can earn C.A.S.E. cash by earning points during rotations.
Ileana is on top of her rotations!
Ileana is in our High School ACI class. She is seen here pictured with Jacqueline Ragan (Director). Ileana is receiving awards from our monthly C.A.S.E. acknowledgment. She is seen with an “Accountable Award.” She received this award for always being on top of her rotations.
Miles Shares His Birthday
Miles is in ACI Middle School. Miles loves his birthday and is always eager, he has a yearly countdown because finds it a very important day to share with his classmates.
Staff Sporting their Sierra School of East Valley Spirit
Ruben Medrano (Administration Assistant), Jacqueline Ragan (Program Director), Veronica Robles (Teacher Assistant), Joseph Ramirez (1:1 Aide) styling our spirited Sierra School of East Valley Shirts while continuing to keep our community safe and wearing our masks.
Celebrating Jesse’s Birthday
High school ACI student Jesse celebrating his birthday with classmates. Sierra School of East Valley students love celebrating birthdays and staff make sure that our students feel special on their special day.
Feeling Happy in Our BEST Program
Wyatt is in our BEST Program. He is enjoying time with our OT Jessica Huang. Wyatt and Jessica are stacking marbles and playing with our Marble Run game. When Wyatt is asked how does he feel about playing games he responds, “I’m happy!"
Congrats to our “Bulldogs!”
Below are Sierra School of Sonoma students that achieved "Bulldog" or mascot status because of their hard work and achievement in CASE. Congrats to these students for all of their hard work!
Local business spreads holiday spirit to Sierra Peoria students
Alonso Popejoy, owner of Armored Roofing and Gilbert Coronado, Project Advisor and former Sierra School of Peoria staff member, dropped off Christmas presents for four of our students at Peoria. Their mission is strong to pay-it-forward and give back to their community! We appreciate this partnership and send a huge "Thank You!" to Armored Roofing, Alonso and Gilbert!
Winter Coat Drive
With winter on the way, some of our students may be in need of a warm coat to shield them from the cold. HRA will be hosting a Winter Coat Drive and collecting new or gently worn coats, scarves, hats and gloves to help those in need. Donations will be accepted from Monday, Dec. 19th through Friday, Jan. 20th. Please see the attached flyer for complete details. Together [...]
Homeroom Door Decorating Contest!
This was High Road School of Mt. Healthy's 1st Annual Christmas Door Decorating Contest! The students had a great time, look at some of our amazing doors! Learn more about our school today.
High Road School of Wright City Students Create Holiday Cards For Community
During December, students at High Road School of Wright City focused on being considerate and inclusive. School staff decided one way to promote inclusivity within the community, as well as considerate behavior, was to organize a holiday card drive for residents of Warrenton Manor, a local nursing home. Students enjoyed stretching their creative abilities to craft individualized holiday cards with cheerful greetings and words of encouragement. The project was [...]
Excel Academy North Gives Back
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” – Mahatma Ghandi Embodying Ghandi’s philosophy, students at Excel Academy North were in the holiday spirit this fall as they took part in a “Day of Service” to help their community. The school partnered with various local organizations to place students in projects around the city. To benefit Feast of Justice, a local [...]
Season of Giving at High Road School of Mount Prospect
When Brenda Gionnoulis, the administrative assistant for High Road School of Mount Prospect, was asked for gift ideas to celebrate her upcoming birthday, she had one request: For other staff members to join her for a volunteer opportunity at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a nonprofit organization that works with partners to distribute hand-packed meals in schools, orphanages, clinics, and feeding programs around the world. On November 19th, Brenda’s [...]
“I’m Thankful For …” Classroom Door Decorating Contest
Students at Sierra School of San Joaquin celebrated Thanksgiving with a classroom decoration contest. The friendly competition took place by class, with the elementary classroom taking home the top prize. Teachers used the contest as a thought starter for students on what they are thankful for during the holidays. "I loved doing this activity because we all not only got to do it together, but also were working [...]
Winter Extravaganza
HRA will host its annual Winter Extravaganza on Thursday, December 22nd. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of winter-themed activities, including a making polar bear cookies, a snowman marshmallow craft, winter bingo with prizes and more. Learn more about our school today.
Sharing a student-made bouquet at a recent luncheon!
Sierra Academy Director shares a beautiful, student-made treat bouquet with a District Partner at a recent luncheon! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra Peoria hosts a BEST luncheon
Amy Farmer, Director of Academic for BEST Model Programming, presented an overview for a group of district partners hosted at Sierra School of Peoria. Learn more about our school today.
Excel Academy of Southwest robotics team compete in FIRST Tech Challenge
A group of students at the Excel Academy of Southwest have a new and hands-on way to gain a deeper understanding of STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) thanks to Mike Tyler II’s robotics class. And their learning isn’t confined to the classroom. Students on the STEM Bulldogs team are now competing in meets organized by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of [...]
5 Ways Families Can Support Children with Behavioral Challenges During the Holidays
By Dr. Diane Myers, SVP, Special Education—Behavior at SESI For many of us, the holiday season is a time for cheer, spending time with family, parties, traditions, and excitement – and a welcome deviation from our normal routines. For others, those deviations, increased social interaction, and different expectations can trigger stress and anxiety. For families of students with emotional and behavioral challenges, extended school breaks [...]
Sierra School of San Diego students give back to community in big way
Students at the Sierra School of San Diego regularly learn about the importance of being part of a community and giving back, and they recently participated in a canned food drive. Students came together to donate over 400 items to the San Diego Food Bank, providing 85 meals to local families in need this holiday season. The San Diego Food Bank delivered 10 large red donation barrels, each capable [...]
November Student Spotlight
Cheyenne is a very independent student; she likes to complete her work all by herself. Cheyenne had a hard time asking for help or accepting help if an assignment was incorrect, but she is now doing better in that area. Cheyenne also works at the coffee cart, and we are very happy with her customer service. She is very nice to everyone and helpful with the orders. [...]
November Student of the Month: Jah’lon
Our November choice for Student of the Month is Jah’lon. Jah'lon continues to exemplify what it means to be a CASE student. He is considerate to all of his peers and offers assistance around the class. He has positive behavior and regularly encourages his fellow classmates to be on their best behavior. Jah'lon has a great attitude and always wants to make you smile. Congratulations, Jahlon! [...]
High Road School of Mt. Healthy Provides Home Cooked Thanksgiving
Both High Road Staff and our Partners at Mt. Healthy School District provided homemade Thanksgiving meals to our students and parents last Tuesday 11/22! More than 70 guests enjoyed the event! Learn more about our school today.
Lights on Lima
High Road School of Lima Staff participated in "Lights on Lima," a new downtown tradition of lighting up the Town Square Christmas Tree. Staff dished out Red & Green Cotton Candy and had a Christmas themed "Selfie Station."
‘Food on the 15th’ Food Drive
HRA is sponsoring a food drive in partnership with Food on the 15th, a program that collects and delivers non-perishable food to low-income older adults in Howard County. The school will be accepting donations, including plain cereals, canned fruits and vegetables, soups and other healthy items, from Monday, Nov. 28th through Monday, Jan. 9th. Please see the flyer for full details, and feel free to contact the school [...]
High Road Academy of PG celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
Every year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. At High Road Academy of PG they celebrated by learning about different Hispanic countries, culture, and history. Each class was assigned a country and they had to explain those various topics through pictures, writing and graphs. The students even indulged in different [...]
A Potluck Thanksgiving
On November 27, East Valley staff held a potluck dinner for thanksgiving. Room 6 was set up in order for the kids to self-serve. ACI and BEST students displayed appropriate social behaviors and engaged in cheerful conversation.
High Road School of York Thanksgiving Feast
High Road School of York celebrated Thanksgiving by having a special meal together. Students and staff expressed what they were thankful for! Learn more about our school today.
SAT School Day at Excel Academies North and South
On October 12, almost 300 high school students from both Excel Academy North and Excel Academy South in Philadelphia sat for the SAT and PSAT exams. The College Board, the organization that administers the exams, launched SAT School Day as a way to help students who may have difficulty making a standard SAT/PSAT test time and location. Having the option to take the SAT and PSAT – standardized [...]
Capital Academy’s Thanksgiving Feast
Every year Capital Academy staff prepare homecooked meals in which students and staff can enjoy together, family style. Hearts and bellies were full! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra Academy students enjoy the beautiful fall weather in Scottsdale
Our wonderful property management company provided us with this beautiful sign after resurfacing our playground to ensure the entire area is safe for our students. Learn more about our school today.
High Road School of Southern York Receives ‘School of Distinction’ Honor
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 [...]
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
For National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15), students at the Excel Academy of South Shore, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, studied the contributions of Hispanic Americans to our culture and society. The month culminated with an assembly where students showcased what they learned about Hispanic culture throughout the month. The lively event included song and dance performances and presentations on notable persons, [...]
School and Community Beautification
Students take part in picking up leaves at school and the surrounding neighborhood. The community appreciated the removal of fall leaves. Learn more about our school today.
Sierra Academy Staff Appreciation Day
In an effort to thank the AMAZING staff at Sierra Academy for their constant dedication to serving students the staff was treated to a delicious, authentic taco bar lunch. Learn more about our school today.
Annual College & Career Fair
At Philadelphia’s Excel Academy North, staff know it’s never too early for students to start thinking about their career and post-secondary plans. Held during College Awareness Month, the school hosted its fifth annual College & Career Fair on October 7. During the on-campus event, students had the opportunity to connect with alumni, admission counselors from local colleges and universities, entrepreneurs running successful businesses, and members of the U.S. [...]
Excel Academy South Student Named Senior of the Month by School District
It is always a privilege watching Excel Academy South, an Opportunity Network high school that partners with the School District of Philadelphia, students shine. Our team couldn’t be prouder of Jerusha Nelson for being named Senior of the Month by the District. Nelson’s family immigrated to the U.S. five years ago from Pakistan and they appreciate the educational opportunities afforded to her since they arrived in the Philadelphia [...]
Sierra Academy Adult Day Program honors vets
Members from the Scottsdale DTA Program presented local veterans w a beautiful tribute to their service. Mr. Scott, Ms. Julia, and DTA members presented their art to local veterans residing in a nearby care facility.
Specialized Education Services, Inc. Names Dawn Thomas President
Experienced operational leader will help guide the organization’s continued commitment to ensuring students with the greatest need receive a quality education PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the hiring of Dawn Thomas [...]
Working Positively Together is The Norm
Both Students and staff enjoy the collaboration of adding to the positive culture and climate of the High Road School of Mt. Healthy. Learn more about our school today.
October Student of the Month: Leslie
Our October Student of the Month is Leslie. Leslie has gone above and beyond in accepting the responsibilities that go along with supporting her school community. Leslie has been volunteering in one of our elementary classrooms, managing the Student Store, as well as managing our campus Coffee Cart. Leslie’s dedication to supporting others is truly commendable. Thanks, Leslie! Learn more about our school today. [...]
October Student of the Month: DeAndre
Our October Student of the Month is DeAndre. DeAndre has done an amazing job of demonstrating restraint and using his coping strategies. DeAndre has consistently asked for a break when he is starting to feel frustrated, speak to a staff member, or used a fidget to regulate himself. Way to go, DeAndre! Learn more about our school today.
Trick or Treat 2022
Members of the community, area businesses and parents and family participated in passing out candy to High Road students. Everyone had a great time getting into the spirit of Halloween!
Cauliflower Collaboration
The lure of a sunny landscape, birdsong, and crafts with friends can be a welcome reprieve from a classroom. At Sierra School of San Diego in San Carlos, students in first grade up to age 22 can learn about bees, how to grow food, and later develop recipes from a growing area they share with San Carlos Community Garden. They can also practice social skills, teamwork, and communication—skills that often don’t come [...]
High Road Academy of PG celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
Every year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. At High Road Academy of PG they celebrated by learning about different Hispanic countries, culture, and history. Each class was assigned a country and they had to explain those various topics through pictures, writing and graphs. The students even indulged in different [...]
Sierra School of Peoria campus hosts the Fall Sierra Schools of Arizona Lunch & Learn
On September 28th, Sierra School of Peoria hosted stakeholders from all over Arizona participate to in an afternoon of Professional Development led by SESI Sr. Vice President of Behavior, Dr. Diane Myers. Dr. Diane Myers led a capacity building training on how professionals can reframe addressing students with challenging behaviors. Over 50 in person and virtual attendees helped to make this [...]
Thanksgiving Feast!
Every year, Capital Academy hosts a Thanksgiving feast in which staff cook homemade meals for students and everyone dines together, family style! This year we're hosting it on November 17! Learn more about our school today.
Marking Period 1 Newsletter ’22-’23
Learn more about our school today.
Elementary enjoys Fall trip to Corn Cob Acres
Students in Mrs. Strouse elementary class enjoy a fun Friday at Corn Cob Acres. Students were rewards for their academic and behavioral achievements! Learn more about our school today.
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
Students at Sierra Schools of California celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) with a classroom decoration contest. The friendly competition took place at the school level, with winning classrooms competing region-wide for the top honor. Teachers used the contest to help students learn about and honor the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South [...]
End of The Quarter Breakfast
Students enjoyed a home cooked breakfast to celebrate the end of the first quarter. Mr. R. and Ms. Boseman made over 200 pancakes, five dozen eggs, sausage, and other breakfast items for the students. The students thoroughly enjoyed their surprise breakfast! Learn more about our school today.
September Students of the Month
Congratulations to Macynn, who was selected by Sierra Staff of Peoria to be the Student of the Month for September. Macynn came to Sierra with the goal of completing some credit recovery, and through a lot of hard work, was able to complete almost an entire year’s worth of core credits in just nine weeks! Macynn’s dedication has paid off, and he has been able to return to [...]
Twin Day for Dress up Week!
The students & staff loved dressing up for twin day! We love coming together at a school and dressing up in fun ways for a week! Learn more about our school today.
Open house held at High Road School of Lima
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - A new building is going to change more than just where students come to learn. High Road School of Lima welcomed the public to their new location at 71 Town Square in downtown Lima. They provide structured education to students with a variety of learning needs, such as autism, emotional disorders, and more. Previously, the school was divided into three separate school buildings, but this new [...]
HRS Philadelphia went skating!
Students at High Road School of Philadelphia went skating! Learn more about our school today.
Sierra Academy Field Day
Sierra Academy Staff and Students Celebrate the End of 1st Quarter with Field Day!
September Fryday Winners!
Congratulations to our September Fryday winners! These students exemplified our CASE values all of September. They averaged 85% or above of their daily points for the entire month! Way to go! Learn more about our school today.
Join A Club!
Join one (or more) of these amazing clubs this year! Learn more about our school today.
Myles’ Mission…Accomplished
Myles’ story is one to which many parents of children with behavioral challenges can relate. Frequent suspensions from school. Weekly incidents that require early school pickups. Rearranged work schedules to accommodate these disruptions. Missed events or appointments to stay home with the child. This is simply reality, a way of life, for these parents. But it doesn’t have to be. Schools like the High Road School of Harford County [...]
Peace Month Presentation
September was Peace Month! Each classroom worked on a group project and presented to staff and peers with their interpretation of peace!
September Student of the Month
All around student of the month Serenity is a second-grade student at High Road School of Wallingford Primary/Middle. She is nicknamed Belle, after the Disney princess in school because she loves to read. She read over 200 books last school year including chapter books. She loves to play with dinosaurs when she is not reading. Serenity was nominated as the student of the month for her huge successes. [...]
New Outdoor Play Space at High Road School of Peoria
Movement and physical activity are critical for students' overall well-being and now students at the High Road School of Peoria have a new outdoor space perfect for a range of activities. Recently the school community celebrated the opening of the new sport court with a ribbon cutting, balloons and cake. “Our goal is to make learning fun and the addition of the sport court provides another opportunity for [...]
Back 2 School Night
The staff & students loved coming together for Back 2 School Night! Learn more about our school today.
Braeden’s Behavioral Breakthrough
When Braeden arrived at the High Road School of Anne Arundel County as a kindergartener in 2014, the staff knew it had a challenge ahead. Braeden, who is on the autism spectrum, immediately demonstrated self-injurious behaviors, tantrums, aggression toward others, and destruction of property. This behavior obviously had a major impact on Braeden’s family, to the point where it became “hard to eat and hard to socialize,” according to [...]
Open House
Join our open house on October 5th! Learn more about our school today.
Open House
Please join us for High Road Academy's Open House on Thursday, Oct. 20th from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Our students and staff are looking forward to providing tours of the school and answering any questions you may have about our program. Learn more about our school today.
High Road School of Mt. Healthy Visits the Zoo
Students and staff enjoyed a trip to the Cincinnati Zoo as a result of earning consistent positive levels and being role models for students in and outside the classrooms! Learn more about our school today.
A Decade of Service
This month marks Ashanti Brooks’ 10th year as an employee at the Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network. As a member of the school’s founding team, Brooks has witnessed Excel Roseland’s growth and impact on students. Her role and reach as school clerk extends far beyond the school day. A familiar face known by students and staff, Brooks says the impact she [...]
Excel Academy South Shore hosts Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS leaders for back-to-school press conference
The first day of the 2022-23 school year had all eyes on the Excel Academy of South Shore, as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot selected the school, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, as the location for the city’s back-to-school press conference. Members of Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) executive leadership team including CEO Pedro Martinez and CEdO Bogdana Chkoumbova also participated in the press conference. Excel Academy [...]
Sierra School of Solano County Moves to Facility in Fairfield, California
New centrally located campus offers students additional WorkAbility opportunities FAIRFIELD, Calif., Sept. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced its Sierra School of Solano County is now open in a new location in Fairfield (1745 Enterprise Dr.). Programming [...]
I’m a teacher, but I was also “that student”
A teacher’s background – as someone who struggled in school – deepens her connection with alternative education students By KARYN L. DRISCOLL, English 4 Teacher, Excel Academy South | September 5, 2022 - This fall, I will return to the classroom for my second year teaching English at Philadelphia’s Excel Academy South, an accelerated high school experience for students seeking a smaller, more personal setting, intensely focused on elevating social skills, emotional wellness, and [...]
Sierra Academy Celebrates our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Gina Terry!!!!
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale celebrates the incredible team of professionals that serve our students and highlights the talent and dedication of Ms. Gina Terry!
Student Spotlight – Bob
Bob has been attending Sierra School of Gilbert since August 2021 in the high school Community-Based Instruction classroom. The model for students in this classroom includes academic instruction and vocational training with on-site and off-site job sampling multiple times throughout the week. Through Bob’s participation in this program, he has gained part-time employment at Social Spin outside of school hours. Social Spin has been a long-term [...]
August Students of the Month
Congratulations to Elijah, who was selected by Sierra Staff of Peoria to be the Student of the Month for August. Elijah has been able to exhibit what it’s like to be considerate, accountable, safe, and engaged by being able to complete all of his assignments on time, being kind to peers, and always having a smile on his face. Congratulations to William, who was selected [...]
Chicago Public School students return for first day of school
Excel Academy of South Shore hosted Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez during their back-to-school press conference on Monday. Watch Video
Sierra Academy celebrates the start of the 2022-2023 School Year
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale team celebrates the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Welcome back to school!
Responding to Appropriate and Inappropriate Student Behaviors in the Classroom
By Dr. Diane Myers, SVP, Special Education—Behavior at SESI For many educators, late summer feels more like the beginning of a new year than the first of January. Hopefully the summer provided an opportunity for rest and rejuvenation given the unique challenges we all faced last year. As we begin the 2022-2023 school year, we want to create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community [...]
Recent Graduate Helping Prevent Gun Violence
Below is a news story about our recent graduate, Wayne, working with his church to help prevent gun violence in the city!"In the shadow of darkness illuminated by flashlights, 37-year-old Pastor G. Lamar Stewart organizes faith leaders and volunteers to walk through Philadelphia neighborhoods plagued by gun violence. The number of gun violence victims in that city increased more than 50% from 2019 to 2020. In 2021, Philadelphia had more than [...]
May Day in the Park for Philadelphia Students
Staff and students from several Specialized Education Services, Inc.(SESI) schools in Philadelphia didn’t let the date deter them from celebrating May Day on June 3. The annual event, held in the Lemon Hill Picnic Area of Fairmount Park, brought together students from the Achieve Academies of Philadelphia, Excel Academy North, Excel Middle Years Academy, and Stetson Academy. May Day started in 2013 as a one-school event and grew into [...]
Catching up with Excel Academy of Roseland 2019 valedictorian
Since graduating from the Excel Academy of Roseland three years ago, Kewhawn George hasn’t stopped furthering his education or finding ways to better himself. His strong dedication to self-improvement is something he credits the staff at Excel for helping him embrace. Before enrolling at the Excel Academy of Roseland, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, George spent seven years away from school after dropping out. But in [...]
Teacher Erin Juarez honored for ‘strong work ethic’
Buckeye special education teacher Erin Juarez was recognized by a national organization as the Southwest region’s teacher of the year. Philadelphia-based Special Education Services Inc. bestowed that honor upon her for her work during the 2021-22 school year. Juarez, who has taught kindergarten through fourth grade special education for four years at Sierra School of Liberty, was nominated for the award by her supervisor for her strong work ethic. [...]
Fitzpatrick Named Specialized Teacher of the Year
Jill Fitzpatrick, a lead special education teacher at High Road School in Caroline County (303 Sharp Road, Denton), was recently named a regional winner in Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) Teacher of the Year Program.“Teaching is my profession, but moreover it is my calling. There are always setbacks and frustrations, but overcoming them is part of the enjoyment of teaching. I have the philosophy that there are no hopeless cases. [...]
A Life-Changing Transformation: Drew’s Story
The phrase “life-changing” tends to be overused and often becomes a cliché. However, in the case of Drew, a 12th grade student at the High Road School of Cecil County (MD), the transformation he’s gone through in his nine years at the school has truly been life changing. Communication Breakdown As a young child, Drew experienced difficulties with communication, which led to several instances of behavioral issues. Because his [...]
Specialized Education Services, Inc. Names Rachael Chatel 2022 Teacher Of The Year
High School Educator at High Road School of Hartford Takes Home Top Spot in Nationwide Program Honoring Outstanding and Innovative Teachers June 15, 2022 PHILADELPHIA – Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, is a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced Rachael Chatel as [...]
‘An Incredible Honor’: Hartford Teacher Wins National Award
A Connecticut high school teacher is being recognized for her “outstanding and innovative” work in the classroom. High Road School of Hartford teacher Rachael Chatel was named as the first Teacher of the Year by Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI). The private school works with special education students ages 15 to 21 facing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges that can impede success in a traditional classroom setting. Nationwide, SESI [...]
Guys Group – Field Trip to Science Center
The Guys Group dressed up and took a field trip to the science center! Learn more about our school today.
Excel Academy South Student Shines At District Board Meeting
Recently Excel Academy South student Shyhief Jackson spoke from the heart when he addressed the Board for the School District of Philadelphia. Calling the experience “very surreal”, Jackson, 18, said speaking at the public meeting provided him with an occasion to use some of the skills he’s learned while at Excel. “It gave me an opportunity to represent myself, my community, and my family,” said Jackson. “I was able [...]
Excel Academy students overcome struggles to graduate and achieve academic dreams
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Imagine the feeling of setting a goal you thought was unrealistic – only to achieve it despite huge odds. Dozens of grads at the Excel Academy schools did just that. CBS 2's Steven Graves met some of the students who are getting a second chance to achieve their academic dreams. The graduation ceremony for the multiple Chicago campuses of Excel Academy was held at Christ Universal Temple, [...]
High Road School of Sussex County teacher honored
GEORGETOWN — Dan Jones, a special-education teacher at High Road School of Sussex County, was recently named a regional winner in Specialized Education Services Inc.’s (SESI) Teacher of the Year Program. “My personal philosophy on learning and education is that nothing in life comes easy. Hard work and determination are the foundation for any success,” Mr. Jones said. The Lewes resident has been at High Road for four years [...]
Rachael Chatel on Connecticut News 3
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‘My kids become a part of me,’ says award-winning Graham Academy teacher
KINGSTON — Brynn Kovalick speaks with disarmingly simple passion about the many roadblocks a teacher overcomes in helping children on the autism disorder spectrum. Disarming because, even as she extols the rewards, a young student lies combative on a hallway floor in the safe and patient hands of a behavior specialist.“My teaching philosophy is to learn everything about each student,” the 9-year veteran of the Academy staff says. “That’s how [...]
Local special education teacher receives “Regional Teacher of the Year” award
47ABC – A local special education teacher, receiving a major honor for the work they do. Dan Jones, a special education teacher at High Road School in Delaware joined the morning team to tell us more about that accomplishment. Good Morning Delmarva
Graham Academy educator is regional Specialized Education Services Inc. teacher of the year
Brynn Kovalick, an autistic support/emotional support classroom elementary school teacher at The Graham Academy in Kingston, won the regional Specialized Education Services Inc. teacher of the year award. The region includes 20 Specialized Education Services Inc. schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio. The award “honors outstanding, innovative educators who lead by example with an unmatched level of dedication to supporting all students,” a news release said. “I am [...]
Field Day
Camden KAPS students had an awesome time at Field Day!
Local Teacher Honored with Regional Teacher Of The Year Award
KINGSTON, LUZERNE CO, (WOLF) — Brynn Kovalick, a teacher at the Graham Academy in Kingston, has been named the regional winner in the Specialized Education Services Teacher of the Year Program. Kovalick is an autistic support and emotional support classroom elementary school teacher at the academy. She's been with the school for nearly 10 years and received her teaching certificate in special education from King's College. "I was thrilled when [...]
Special Ed Teacher Receives Regional Top Teacher Honors
DENTON — Jill Fitzpatrick, a lead special education teacher at High Road School at Caroline County (303 Sharp Road, Denton), was recently named a regional winner in Specialized Education Services Inc. Teacher of the Year Program. “Teaching is my profession but moreover it is my calling … there are always setbacks and frustrations but overcoming them is part of the enjoyment of teaching. I have the philosophy that there [...]
3rd Annual International Day
The students participated in the 3rd annual international day on June 3rd. Students picked, researched, and "re-created" their country in the classroom. This included art, food, music, and much more! Great job to all students and staff! Learn more about our school today.
Congratulations Class of 2022!
Congratulations to our 2022 graduating class! We are so proud of you! Learn more about our school today.
End of the Year Carnival
Students celebrated the end of the year with a carnival! Learn more about our school today.
Capital Academy’s Annual MayDay
Capital Academy held it's annual MayDay on 5/13/22. MayDay is a carnival day for students to unwind after standardized testing and for staff to reward them for their hard work throughout the year. Students were able to partake in various games such as tug-o-war, minute-to-win-it, ring tosses, duck pluck, face painting, and enjoy delicious snacks. Students were even able to "get back" at their administration and teachers through the [...]
Sierra Academy Kinder Promotion celebrates a special occasion for a very special student: Ms. JuJu
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale Kinder Promotion Ceremony 2022 celebrating Ms. Juju, a very special student!
Sierra Academy of Scottsdale honors Staff of the Year at our 2022 graduation and promotion ceremony
Ms. Jennifer Preciado is our Sierra Academy Staff of the Year award recipient for 2021/2022. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our students and our school.
Jubi’s Java, In Memory of Najeeb
Sierra Academy dedicates Jubi's Java in memory of former student and standout coffee cart student worker, Najeeb. Family of former Sierra Academy student Najib, who passed away recently, were honored at the the formal dedication of the school's student run school coffee operations, of which Jubi was an outstanding student worker. The coffee cart program will now be known as Jubi's Java.
Middle school teacher, Aatiqah Ali, named divisional winner in Teacher of the Year Program
Aatiqah Ali, a teacher at Excel Middle Years Academy, was recently named a divisional winner in Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) Teacher of the Year Program. “My personal philosophy of learning and education is that every student brings something to the table – their own genius and uniqueness,” Ali said in a statement. “My job as an educator is to identify them and help students’ growth.” Teacher of the [...]
Spirit Month for May
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Spring Hike Field Trip
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Graham Academy students honored for Light It Up Blue Day
WILKES-BARRE — In celebration of “Light It Up Blue Day” and World Autism Awareness Month in April, Graham Academy student Billy Norton had the opportunity to serve as the city’s honorary fire chief for the day. Norton, 18, climbed into a fire truck outside Wilkes-Barre fire headquarters and learned how to operate the aerial ladder. He said his favorite part of the experience was honking the horn. While touring [...]
Car Wash
High Road School of Cecil County led a car wash to raise donations for the Special Olympics. Students worked together to spray, scrub, rinse, and dry numerous cars while cooking hot dogs and serving them to community members! Older students worked together to help our younger students to make this event successful! Visit [...]
Sierra Academy 2022 Egg Drop Contest
The annual egg drop took place on Monday, April 18, 2022. The students and staff with great care created a variety of contraptions to assist their egg to float safely to the ground below. A total of 3 eggs were sacrificed during the process; however, the remain 6 eggs made it safely to the ground below. As a reward, for so many creative floating devices, all students and staff earned [...]
QC students make, sell key chains to raise money for Uganda playground
Students make a difference while they help other children far away. And there’s a business lesson in this as well. Students at High Road of the Quad Cities make and sell key chains to raise money for a playground in Uganda. So far, they’ve raised more than $500. According to its website, High Road School of the Quad Cities provides academic and therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and young adults, [...]
Getting Creative
Apex students are big fans of Art class. Doing craft based activities where they get to be as simple or elaborate on projects as they want to express their individuality. Recent projects include: lip balm making, melted crayon art, clay are, sewing, button bowls and much more! Learn more about our school today.
Team Work
Apex students enjoyed a change of pace for their weekly group session with Social Worker Ms. Amber. They worked collaboratively to guide each other blindfolded through a obstacle course. Working on social skills, trust, communicating effectively and having lots of fun! Learn more about our school today.
School-Wide Science Fair
We held our annual School-Wide Science Fair on Friday, March 18th. Each classroom did a different project; we had volcanos, elephant toothpaste, and even "safe" bottle rockets. The students and staff had a great time participating in all the different science projects! Learn more about our school today.
Autism Awareness Spirit Week at High Road School of Cecil County!
Students and staff at the High Road School of Cecil County celebrated Autism Awareness by participating in a spirit week! Students and staff participated in spirit days such as tie dye day, light it up blue day, and twin day! Students from various classrooms helped design, make, and tie dye shirts for staff during the week, as well [...]
Specialized ABA Support for Successful Classroom Experiences
By Jess Miller, BCBA and Regional Instructional Specialist at SESI Think back to your classroom experiences as a child. Most of us would probably say that they were pretty manageable, with a few difficulties here and there as exceptions. We had our classroom schedules memorized, we were able to ask for alternative workspaces if the classroom was too loud, and we could [...]
Marking Period 3 Newsletter
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Suns Autism Awareness Night in Phoenix
Mr. Michael and Bob cheer on the Suns at Autism Awareness Night 2022 Learn more about our school today.
Women’s Empowerment Luncheon
Thunderbolt Academy held our First Annual Women's Empowerment Luncheon on March 29th. Mrs. Powell, one of our school social workers, did an amazing job putting together this powerful event for our Thunderbolt ladies. We invited three guest speakers: Judge Todd, Denise Powell and Janay Harden who each spoke words of encouragement and guidance to our female students. Mrs. Lugo directed a dance with two of our middle school students Zariah [...]
Egg Races
Today we did egg races as one of our spirit weeks activities. All of the classes got to take a turn, then each winner did a championship round! Learn more about our school today.
Horse Ranch
Every Friday we have a field trip to Spirit Horse Ranch in American Canyon. The students are part of a program where they get to learn the whole process from caring for the horse, to riding the horse, and everything in between. the students are quickly learning the horses prefer a calm environment and are doing a great job making that happen. They look forward to seeing the horse [...]
High Road School of Peoria celebrates neuro diverse learners and the power of music
Children in the classroom learn in a variety of different ways. However, catering to each child's preferred or necessary learning style can be not only difficult, but sometimes impossible in a classroom of over 20 students. That’s where High Road School of Peoria comes in. The organization teams up with local school districts, such as East Peoria #86, Pekin #108, Dunlap #323, Limestone #310, and several others to provide [...]
High Road School of Cecil County goes to North Bay!
Students who were on Step 4 for several weeks leading up to the big North Bay Adventure camp trip enjoyed spending 3 entire days camping on the North East river with staff members. Students enjoyed things like hiking, zip lining, the big swing, beach volleyball, and more. They were joined by the High Road School of Baltimore and High [...]
Tie-Dye Day
Today was our school wide Tie-dye day. Some of the students made their shirts at school, and some brought in from home. Just about the whole school participated! Learn more about our school today.
Community gardens help students blossom and grow. As a therapist, I’ve seen it firsthand.
The garden teaches students about nutrition, stewardship of the earth, collaboration of neighbors and more. Leiser is an occupational therapist at the Sierra School of San Diego, which focuses on special education and is located in San Carlos. She lives in North Park. I distinctly remember the first time I stepped foot into the San Carlos Community Garden. It was a hot San Diego summer day four years ago [...]
Creating a Positive Learning Environment for Students with Autism
By Amy Farmer, Regional Instructional Specialist at SESI Creating classrooms and schools that foster curiosity, growth, and a sense of security is vital to a student’s ability to access their academics, generalize skills, and become as independent as possible. Cultivating these environments for students on the autism spectrum can take some special thought and care. Whether students on the spectrum need minimal [...]
High Road School of Cecil County Car Wash
The High Road School of Cecil County is hosting a car wash on April 29th at 11 AM to 3 PM. Students will be raising funds by hosting a car wash for $5 or any donation amount. Students will also be selling food during the event for $5. The event will take place in the school parking lot! We can't wait to see you there! [...]
High Road Students of Harford County Return to North Bay
High Road School of Harford County students recently had the opportunity to attend NorthBay Adventure Camp near Elk Neck State Park. While attending the overnight camp, students were able to experience transformative and unforgettable activities such as zip-lining, team-building activities, a high ropes course, and much more. In addition to NorthBay motivating the students to give their best effort while facing physical challenges, High Road educators [...]
Apex Family Pizza Night
Apex family pizza night at Fargo's! Students and their families joined Apex staff for a pizza night out at Fargo's. Many laughs, good conversations and arcade game competitions were had. Learn more about our school today.
Excel Academy Englewood students inspired by women’s empowerment brunch: ‘The sky is the limit’
When the young women at Excel Academy Englewood encounter challenges in the future following their passion, they're going to remember the women's empowerment brunch at their school. "I learned that the sky is the limit and you can do anything," junior Melody Terry said. "It was good hearing from somebody who started from the bottom and work their way up top and hearing them saying keep going," senior Traviyunna [...]
4 Essential Components of Behavior Support in the Classroom
Diane Myers, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Special Education - Behavior, March 22, 2022 -- Expectations that are clearly established, and reinforced regularly will contribute to a consistent, positive experience for students. The 2021-2022 school year began full of promise. Students, families, and educators were ready to get back to pre-pandemic learning routines. Almost no one was prepared for how the landscape had changed – many educators had left the [...]
Meagan Has A Great Attitude!
Meagan is Dr. B's right hand person. She has taken on her new job duties (and some extra) with ease and a commitment to ensure that every thing is done effectively, efficiently, with a great attitude and always producing better than what was asked of her. We simply could not run the school without her! Learn more about our school today.
International Day
In March, High Road School of Harford County invited families of students to our Annual International Day. Each classroom within the school adopted a different country, and throughout the month of March students became familiarized and educated themselves on their chosen country. The students engrossed themselves with the language, culture, geography, customs, and history of their chosen countries. When parents arrived, they went from classroom to classroom so they [...]
Read and Tell with Mrs. Mel
"Re ad and Tell with Mrs. Mel" is a unique book club program that was started by Mrs. Mel and Mrs. Ashley in the hopes that students would find a love for reading while attending High Road School of Harford County. The book club encourages all students to become immersed in the magical world of reading as staff read aloud book series' and students follow [...]
Boys Leadership Group
The High Road School of Harford County Boys to M.E.N.D. (motivate, explore, navigate and discipline)Program is a youth leadership initiative started by Mr. Nacier. The group teaches male students how to achieve personal growth through interactive meetings. Boys to M.E.N.D. creates a safe place for the students to share personal experiences, focuses on what turns a boy into a man, and develops their communication skills [...]
High Road School of Cecil County Celebrates Black History Month
The students at High Road School of Cecil County and the Cecil Alternative Program worked throughout the month to create presentations that celebrated Black History Month. Students picked their own influential members to research based upon their interests such as music, space exploration, and sports. Visit our website to learn more about High Road School [...]
Adrian Continues to Succeed
Adrian graduated from High Road School of Harford County last year and went on to attend Towson University School of Music on a Provost Scholarship. We are happy to report that Adrian is thriving at Towson U! He is majoring in music with a minor in Japanese and is enjoying his classes as well as the college experience. He recently stopped by the High Road School table that [...]
Nicholas Is Our Student of the Month
The students made me birthday cards, which was so sweet! Here is Nicholas sharing his with me, who is also our student of the month. He has worked so hard in earning his points, ignoring bad behaviors, and wanting to try his best when completing work. Learn more about our school today.
Black History Month Presentations!
This month students worked on black history month and made posters to go with it. They all presented them to one another in the classroom, where they learned that some people they did research on are still alive today. This showed them that history isn't so old, and many things are still occurring today. Learn more about our school today. [...]
Black History Month Presentations!
Students worked in their classrooms throughout the month to research, study and prepare presentations on an African American individual or individuals that they felt inspired by. Learn more about our school today.
Excel Academy of Englewood celebrates Black History Month with culture, inspirational speakers and entertainment
Excel Academy of Englewood celebrates Black History Month with culture, inspirational speakers and entertainment Students and staff at the Excel Academy of Englewood, part of the Chicago Public Schools’ Options Network, commemorated Black History Month with several special events. Throughout February, students took in presentations, performances, and discussions led by entrepreneurs, activists, and local community organizations, including: Muntu Dance Theater, African American Cultural Heritage Collection (AACHC), Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., [...]
Black History Month Presentations!!
On February 25th Sierra School had our annual Black History Month presentations. Each classroom picks a person they want to represent. They spend the month learning and researching, and then they put it all together and present it to the other rooms. Learn more about our school today.
National Pancake Day!
We celebrated National Pancake Day on the day Dr. B thought it was on (it's actually March 1st). Learn more about our school today.
Check Out the Upcoming Trips!
Here are some upcoming community based learning experiences for the remainder of the school year! Please make sure you sign the permission slip sent home with your child! Learn more about our school today.
Cookie Decorating
Our high school ACI boys and staff decorated heart-shaped cookies for Valentine's Day! The boys made cookies for themselves and for family members at home for Valentine's Day gifts! Learn more about our school today.
Basketball Game!
One of our favorite outside activities here at Sierra is our basketball games. There are so many beneficial parts of just a game. With the global play day coming up, this is a great event to show how meaningful just playing really can be. The students not only use their bodies and muscles, but they use their minds to calculate shots, have communication with other team members, and how [...]
John’s Incredible Pizza!
All students that earned 90% of their Considerate, Accountable, Safe & Engaged points earned an awesome fieldtrip to John's Incredible Pizza! Students ate at the buffet and were able to play fun arcade games! Learn more about our school today.
Save the Date for Prom!
Save the Date for High Road Program Ferguson's prom - May 20, 2022! Learn more about our school today.
High Road School Football is back!
The 2022 High Road School of Harford County Football Program was started by Mr. Jeremy, Mr., Jordan, Mr. Exavier, and Mr. Cleon. This program gives students who may be struggling to reach a goal by helping them to focus on what is attainable. Students who were once unfocused have now become accountable for themselves so they can earn a spot on the football team. The team atmosphere of the [...]
Transition!
Ms. Spice worked this month with her students on drivers ed & other ways to be mobile in the community! Learn more about our school today.
Step 4 Field Trip!
On Friday, February 4th all students earning at-least 85% of their Considerate, Accountable, Safe and Engaged points during the week earned a field trip to John's incredible Pizza. The students & staff has a blast! Learn more about our school today.
Flag Football with High Road School of Harford County
Mr. Eric, Behavior Specialist for High Road School of Cecil County, coordinated a flag football game with neighboring High Road School of Harford County. All students who attended had be on step 3 or 4 to attend the event that was held at The Cecil Arena. The students had so much fun learning from "Coach Eric" as well as Mr. Fred, [...]
Sierra School of San Joaquin Now Open and Enrolling K-12 Students
New Non-Public School Provides Needed Community Resource for Those with Behavioral and Social-Emotional Challenges SAN JOAQUIN, Calif. , Feb. 02, 2022 -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the opening of the Sierra School of San Joaquin (2106 Cherokee Rd., Stockton, CA). [...]
World Wide School Day of Play
At Sierra Upper we participated in World Wide School Day of Play! We participated by playing bored games, relay races, obstacle courses and even a bounce house! Learn more about our school today.
Staff of the Month: Elanda
Staff of the month: Elanda Shelton Elanda is our first teacher to receive students at our school and she has worked hard to take on this challenge as a first year teacher! Elanda is dedicated to improving her skills in the classroom and every day she amazes me with continued growth and progress! Learn more about our school today.
Excel Middle Years Academy Helps Students get into High School of Their Dreams
Excel Middle Years Academy is an accelerated school of choice for middle school students who find themselves in need of a smaller school setting. Located at 4300 Westminster Avenue, Excel’s mission is to create a safe environment for students to succeed inside and outside the classroom by fostering positive relationships within the school setting while learning to be responsible and accountable. “As soon as we do orientation with a [...]
Embedding Social-Emotional Learning into Behavioral Support Systems
By Dr. Diane Myers, SVP, Special Education—Behavior at SESI While the Covid-19 pandemic is not known for producing many silver linings (if any), it has highlighted the need for increased attention to the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of our students. The pandemic has caused significant educational disruption, limited social contacts, and increased fear and anxiety around everyday activities. For those students who [...]
Supporting Classroom Behavior Part 3 (Differentiation)
Social behaviors, like academics, require intentional teaching and feedback for students to build fluency and achieve mastery. It is important to have a comprehensive, proactive system to support students’ behavior in the classroom. Without clear expectations, people feel confused, anxious, or unsure how to proceed, all of which can lead to challenging behaviors. When educators – whether in special education, alternative education, or general education – are clear and [...]
Interactive Hallways
We are open and excited to welcome in students to Sierra San Joaquin! We are ready for student to be successful at our school both academically and behaviorally. One of the exciting elements of our school is our interactive hallways that allow staff and students to connect, and problem solve right outside the classroom! Learn more about our school today.
Grocery Shopping, Budgeting, and Cooking!
Ms. Spice worked with the students to create a grocery list with a shopping budget, following a recipe, and cooked some yummy chicken alfredo pasta! Learn more about our school today.
Raiden’s Story: A 180-Degree Turn
Prior to attending one of the High Road Schools operated by Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), Raiden experienced many difficulties in school. Along with academic issues, Raiden was dealing with unrelenting bullying that affected his emotional well-being and behavior. “Daily life was a struggle,” said Raiden’s mom, Rachel, recalling Raiden’s morning temper tantrums and afternoon meltdowns about his day. Rachel hoped for any positive change or development when she enrolled [...]
SEL with Ms. Marshall
Ms. Marshall’s class participated in a social-emotional learning (SEL) activity as part of their weekly group therapy. The class did an amazing job identifying the parts of a healthy relationship. Every student contributed by sharing out their ideas with the class! A student in the class, Jamani, said of the activity “it’s important to know good relationships so you can grow.” Well said, Jamani! [...]
SESI Behavior Expert Featured in K-12 Dive; Discusses Bringing Joy to the Classroom
K-12 Dive, a publication that gives insight into impactful news and trends shaping K-12 education, featured SESI's Diane Myers, SVP of Behavior in an article highlighting the importance of infusing joy into learning, especially with all the unique challenges students and teachers are facing during the pandemic. Educators are also reminding themselves of why they entered the teaching profession and why they want to stay committed to this work, [...]
Open House!
Sierra School of San Joaquin celebrates opening their doors with an open house before the winter break! The classrooms looked beautiful & the staff enjoyed hosting a fun evening! Learn more about our school today.
Liston Has Shown Great Improvement
Liston has been with Sierra Lower School of Sacramento for nearly 2 years and we are proud to say today (12/17/21) will be his last. Over the past 2 years, Liston has shown great improvements in his social, coping, and overall behavior management skills. Due to Liston's hard work, he will be returning to his home school and back into general education classes. We will miss [...]
Season’s Greetings!
As we say goodbye to our students for winter break, we wanted to make sure they did not leave empty handed and received a little holiday treat from us. Learn more about our school today.
Happy Holidays from High Road Schools in Illinois
The students and staff at the High Road Schools of Illinois wish you a merry and bright holiday season! The ten schools throughout Illinois enjoyed celebrating the holidays together. Discover some of the highlights in the photo gallery below.
Five Strategies for Establishing Behavioral Expectations
This post by Diane Myers, Ph.D. was originally published in District Administration in October 2021. When circumstances change rapidly, people often find solace in what’s familiar. Like adults, students are more productive and comfortable in predictable environments. All educators can help create a more predictable environment by establishing specific, positively stated behavioral expectations that communicate how to be successful across all routines students encounter during the school day. Let’s [...]
Therapy Dog Visit
Luna, Sierra's therapy dog came for a visit! Students and staff were all eager to meet her! Learn more about our school today.
Game On!
We have opened a game room & students are loving it! Students can earn access to the game room bi-weekly. They earn this by demonstrating Considerate, Accountable, Safe & Engaged Points! Learn more about our school today.
Supporting Classroom Behavior Part 2 (Application)
Social behaviors, like academics, require intentional teaching and feedback for students to build fluency and achieve mastery. It is important to have a comprehensive, proactive system to support students’ behavior in the classroom. Without clear expectations, people feel confused, anxious, or unsure how to proceed, all of which can lead to challenging behaviors. When educators – whether in special education, alternative education, or general education – are clear and [...]
Gratitude and Behavior
As we get to the last few pages of the calendar and holiday ads fill our inboxes, we are reminded to give thanks for what we have. While the word “thanksgiving” conjures thoughts of a shortened school week, turkey, and family gatherings, the actual behaviors associated with “giving thanks” get less attention. Many learners will develop the ability to demonstrate gratitude through imitation or informal instruction, but some [...]
Feeding Families for the Holidays with Local Businesses
Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Cives Steel Company, more than 2 dozen families will have family meals this holiday season. Cives donated pantry staples, holiday meal items, and even turkeys to our families in need. We cannot thank them enough for keeping our families in mind this season! Learn more about our school today.
Isabella Is Our Student of the Month
Isabella has been working very hard over the past month. She has drastically decreased her negative behaviors and has been working hard on her lessons. We are very proud of her commitment and look forward to increased success over the upcoming school year. Learn more about our school today.
SESI Alumnus and Student Mentor Discusses Personal Journey in Chalkbeat Essay
Raynard Gillespie, an alumnus and program mentor at Excel Academy of Englewood in Chicago, wrote a personal essay featured in Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization reporting on education across America. Raynard shares his journey of dropping out of school in ninth grade and then returning to high school at age 19 and graduating from Excel Academy. "At this new school, the teachers and staff didn’t give up on me [...]
Azael Gets the Spotlight He Deserves
Azael has been part of the Sierra School of Gilbert family for several years. He has made remarkable and sustained progress in his ability to use augmentative communication effectively, and self-regulate. With the diligence of his teachers, support staff, related service providers and behavior analyst, Azael has worked hard and will be returning to a District-level program next semester. Azael frequently initiates social interactions, independently navigates his classroom and [...]
Student of the Month – Edward
Edward is a student who tries very hard to use his coping skills when negative feelings arise. He joined us 3 weeks before the pandemic, so we did not have much in person time with him until this school year.He has made so much progress throughout his time with Sierra School of Livermore. Learn more about our school today.
Halloween Costumes and Fun!
It has been a fun day watching staff and students dress up for Halloween and be part of festivities like we all once enjoyed pre-COVID days. For the month of October, Sierra School of Livermore heavily focused on helping students manage their behaviors as it seemed like most students continued to struggle with being back in class. Luckily, the month of October gives staff a lot of opportunities to [...]
Halloween Event
Here are pictures from our annual Halloween Event here at High Road School of Delaware. The week before Halloween we have a spooky spirit week to get the student's ready for a fun Halloween event the party planning committee puts together. The students have fun activities that day like pumpkin painting, worm eating contest, candy eating station, and much more! [...]
Visit Lauren at the Coffee Cart!
Name: Lauren Grade/Age/Teacher: 12th gr/17 years old Accomplishment: Successfully managing Coffee Cart Lauren has really hit her stride in her final year at Sierra School of Peoria. This is her third consecutive year as the manager of the campus coffee cart, and she has truly made it her own. Lauren has been recruiting, interviewing, and training new hires; but her true passion is creating monthly [...]
Visiting a Pumpkin Patch!
Four of our classrooms went to the pumpkin patch and picked out their own pumpkins, went in a corn maze, and climbed a hay pyramid. They all worked hard to stay together and had a great time! Learn more about our school today.
Supporting Classroom Behavior Part 1 (Foundations)
Social behaviors, like academics, require intentional teaching and feedback for students to build fluency and achieve mastery. It is important to have a comprehensive, proactive system to support students’ behavior in the classroom. Without clear expectations, people feel confused, anxious, or unsure how to proceed, all of which can lead to challenging behaviors. When educators – whether in special education, alternative education, or general education – are clear and [...]
Union City Student of the Month: Oscar
Oscar is the Student of the Month for October. Oscar is a 12th grade student who is becoming the exemplary student for his peers in the program. Throughout the day you will find Oscar supporting his staff and peers or deeply engaged in his assignments in the classrooms. When Oscar gets a moment of free time he is always seen participating with the younger students - enjoying games [...]
Hapeville Student of the Month: Ms. Thomas
This scholar models good behavior and resiliency. Ms. Thomas shows up on time and demonstrates how students should participate during GGI. Ms. Thomas provides feedback to lead discussion and keep her peers on task. Congratulations to this scholar! Our team is very proud of her! Learn more about our school today.
Roswell Student of the Month: Kamya
Kamya is a kind, compassionate, and a hardworking student. She is always willing to help her peers or teachers when they need assistance. Not only does she help out others, but she isn’t afraid to actively participate in assembly and provide positive feedback. Kamya always brings a positive attitude with her each day and is able to accept constructive criticism. Learn more about our school today. [...]
Student of the Month: Joshua
Joshua is an excellent example of Falcon Pride! He is hard working, kind, and has a positive attitude. He goes above and beyond without being prompted. Joshua has a very strong work ethic and takes initiative to help others as needed. Joshua is attentive in class and contributes to class discussions. PEAK Academy is lucky to have students like Joshua to help make our school a better place. [...]
Picture Day 2021-2022
We had Picture Day at High Road School of Delaware. Here are a couple pictures from some of our amazing students!
Successful Transition: Derek’s Story
Derek’s father explains in this video how his son was successful in his transition from Sierra School to the work force, due to Sierra School of San Diego’s Transition Skills Program. He says, “The transition from Sierra to his adult programs and activities was as smooth as we could have hoped for.” Derek participated in the Work Experience Program, a transition skills program funded by California’s WorkAbility I Program. [...]
Unlocking Potential: Adrian’s Story
Adrian’s mother, Tikeya, recounts the struggle prior to his enrollment at High Road Schools – being called at work to pick up her son, navigating medications, and experiencing challenging behaviors. After witnessing the dedication of High Road staff – and their ability to unlock her son’s potential – she says, “I can’t say enough good things about High Road!” “I can’t say enough good things about High [...]
Unlocking Potential: Adrian’s Story
Adrian’s mother, Tikeya, recounts the struggle prior to his enrollment at High Road Schools – being called at work to pick up her son, navigating medications, and experiencing challenging behaviors. After witnessing the dedication of High Road staff – and their ability to unlock her son’s potential – she says, “I can’t say enough good things about High Road!” "“I can't say enough good things about High Road!” – [...]
Student of the Month: Jamel
Jamel comes to class every day with a positive attitude and contagious energy. He puts forth his best effort on every task he is assigned. Jamel always strives to reach his full potential as this can be seen through his academic success. Jamel is accountable, shows incitive and always participates. Jamel exemplifies what it means to be a PEAK Falcon and student of the month! Learn [...]
Ice Cream Party
Students who were in good behavioral status were able to buy participation in the ice cream party with their case cash. Learn more about our school today.
Pancake Breakfast!
Sierra Lower Students & Staff gather together at the beginning of this fall season for pancakes! Mickey Mouse pancakes & sausage for all! Yum! Learn more about our school today.
A Family Movie Event
Join High Road School staff at a private showing of The Reason I Jump - a documentary about five individuals with autism, based on a biography of the same name. Drinks and snacks will be provided.All family members are welcome but RSVPs are required due to limited space.You can view more information here. Learn more about our school today.
SESI Behavior Expert Featured in K-12 Dive; Discusses Remote Learning
A major shift in learning occurred in 2020, when educators had to rethink the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of students with special needs. K-12 Dive, a publication that gives insight into impactful news and trends shaping K-12 education, featured SESI's Diane Myers, SVP of Behavior in an article highlighting the struggles - and silver linings - of digital special education. "Early in the pandemic, many schools tried to move [...]
Congratulations Jayden!
High Road School of York senior, Jayden, walked the stage at his home district Central York School District. The Norseman family is very proud of his accomplishment. He is an inspiration to the rest of the student body at High Road School of York. Learn more about our school today.
Loving Manipulatives And Flexible Seating
Learn more about our school today. As the school year is winding down, we have loved using manipulatives and our flexible seating at Sandy Hill Elementary. The bugs are a must have for math time manipulatives and the new flexible seating chair is a big hit. Students love how versatile it is. You can sit on it or lay on the floor [...]
Hapeville PEAK Mural Shows Our Potential
Our Hapeville PEAK team created a new mural! It can best be described as the following: Not even concrete can stop a rose from growing and reaching its full potential. Therefore, we will not highlight its short comings or damaged pedals - we will, instead, celebrate its tenacity. We view each student as this rose. Our mural was inspired by Tupac when he said, "We wouldn't ask why [...]
Union PEAK’s New “Four Agreements” Mural
At the Union City campus, we chose the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz as our new mural. We decided on these statements due to the nature of the accountability they speak. Everything humans face in life starts within. The words, the action, the thoughts, and the emotions are all controlled by shifting focus in the moment for the greater good of humanity. We want our students and [...]
An Inspirational New Mural at Roswell PEAK
Roswell PEAK has adorned its walls with a new inspirational mural to encourage students to contemplate change and growth. The cocoon turns into a butterfly with the infusion of words of strength coming off the tree. Learn more about our school today.
Ending Spirit Week With Spirit Day
Capital Academy finished up Spirit Week with Spirit Day! Students and staff played various games such as kickball, basketball, relay races, tug-o-war, and football as well as participated in various arts and craft activities and dance competitions like limbo! Learn more about our school today.
Looking At Eyes
After a unit on the various parts of the eyeball, students were able to take a first hand look and dissect a cow eyeball! Learn more about our school today.
Bringing My Friends To School With Me
We just started the 4th quarter of the school year here at High Road School of Easton Elementary, we are in the home stretch now! To help incentive our students to remain diligent to complete work and remain safe at school, the team came up with Bring Your Friend To School Day! Any student that has been meeting their goals and completing work was allowed to bring their [...]
Growing A Garden
Students in Ms. Marshall's class worked with Transition Coordinator, Mr. Caliri, to start the High Road School of Massachusett's garden. Learn more about High Road School today!
Playing Basketball In Gym Class
Students at High Road School of Massachusetts participated in a basketball game with staff member, Mr. Wilkie, on Thursday. Some of our older students showed our middle school students how to play the game. Learn more about High Road School today!
Welcome Back, High Road Program at Ferguson!
After one year and two months away, the High Road Program at Ferguson staff cannot to welcome students back on May 11th! Learn more about our school today.
Rolling Out the Red Carpet at Sierra Academy of Scottsdale
FOX 10's Arizona Morning show and NBC's 12 News covered a spectacular prom held at Sierra Academy of Scottsdale last week. Lenora King, the school's program director, said "We're in the midst of a pandemic, and we wanted to make sure our kids still have that prom experience. She added, "It gives us joy to do it every year, and to have the girls and the boys dress up and [...]
High Road Schools Featured on Better Connecticut
Better Connecticut, a program on WFSB Channel 3, interviewed Gary Hunt, SESI’s Regional Vice President, New England about High Road Schools of Connecticut in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) operates 10 programs throughout Connecticut. Hunt says that High Road Schools, in helping students to thrive, “it’s about looking individually at every kid…our teachers have done such an amazing job of doing that.” He noted that [...]
Maddy’s Communication Makes Everyone Smile
High Road School of Wright City is excited to recognize BEST’s Maddy as our April Student of the Month. Maddy’s teachers report, “Maddy has shown great improvements in her ability to use her communicator independently. She is navigating pages to communicate her wants, needs, and is greeting peers and staff with very few prompts. She has made so much progress on her goals. Maddy always has a smile [...]
National Storytelling Day
This week, the students and staff celebrated National Storytelling Day by working together to submit stories based on a writing prompt about an old man and his dog. Zach was our winner! Check out the stories in this week's episode of Llama Time: https://youtu.be/nKyB3b91XZ0 Learn more about our school today.
Learning Place Values and Decimals
Students in Ms. L's class learned about place value and decimals. They guessed the price of their favorite products. They would display their price prediction, and Ms. L would ask a few questions regarding what numbers were in what place value. Students enjoyed the hands on activity!
Ms. Schneider: You Are Appreciated
We at Sierra School of Peoria are honored to celebrate Administrative Professions Day with Cheryl Schneider. She has been with our school family for 14 years and has served in variety of roles during her tenure. Her experience, dedication, and warm personality creates a welcoming environment for our students, families, staff, and district partners. Her organization, knowledge, and leadership skills are vital in keeping our [...]
Autism Awareness Month at Sierra School of Gilbert
Sierra School of Gilbert students and staff made tie dye shirts to celebrate our blended community. We all wore the shirts on Monday, April 19th, to kick off Autism Appreciation Spirit Week. Here are a few pictures from this event: Learn more about our school today.
Wilkes-Barre Mayor Honors Graham Academy Students for World Autism Month
Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown and his staff were enthusiastic about increasing public awareness of people with autism - and providing students at The Graham Academy with a special day to remember. Two students were named honorary firefighters Friday, April 23, as part of Autism Awareness Day in the city. Another student, remained at City Hall where he was honorary mayor. The mayor presented the students with proclamations and sashes [...]
4th Annual Egg Drop STEM Challenge at Sierra School of Peoria
Sierra School of Peoria celebrated the 4th Annual Egg Drop STEM Activity on Friday April 23, 2021! All classrooms K-12 participated in utilizing recycled materials to create an apparatus to keep the egg intact without any breakage. The students were extremely creative and displayed outstanding engineering skills. We had 26 entries, 21 of [...]
Book Club Is Back!
Students in the school building will have an opportunity to join Miss Mel in the return of the book club. The book club will be starting the Harry Potter series on Tuesday April 13. Learn more about our school today.
All About Earth Day
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd. It is a day to celebrate the environment. In 1970, a man named Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. Senator, noticed that people were not taking good care of the Earth, so he decided something needed to be done! On April 22, 1970, Gaylord and 20 million people protested against the poor treatment of [...]
Bobby’s Great Attitude
Congratulations to the Student of the Month for March! Bobby, 11th Grade Bobby always participates in both in-person and virtual learning. He always has a great attitude when he is in school! Learn more about our school today.
Chloe Is Resilient
Chloe has been doing a fantastic job with transitioning back into an in-person learning environment. She has shown great maturity in dealing with staffing changes in her classroom and displays a positive attitude toward her staff and peers. Chloe is a resilient young lady who has been working diligently this school year and has achieved gold level status. We are so proud of Chloe and the growth she [...]
Light It Up Blue For Autism Awareness Month
The month of April is dedicated to autism awareness. Sierra School of Peoria has been participating in and coordinating many activities for our students and families. We started off the month with a BBQ and provided custom made "light it up blue" masks for all the staff. Our high school transitions team, staff, and students who run the [...]
April Showers Bring May Flowers
Learn more about our school today. The High Road School at Choptank Elementary team have decided to greet the warm weather by making daffodils! They used food coloring and 2 different sized cupcake holders. As April showers bring May flowers, students at High Road School at Choptank Elementary have begun their unit on Earth's biomes and the types of vegetation and animals [...]
Drop Everything And Read
Learn more about our school today. April 9, 2021 was Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) in honor of famed author Beverly Clearly. High Road School at Choptank Elementary students will read a book for 30 minutes and just enjoy following along with the characters of their book. Students were encouraged to dress up as their favorite book characters as an added layer to the fun. [...]
Sierra Liberty Students Celebrate Autism Awareness Month!
Learn more about our school today. Students at Sierra School at Liberty celebrate Autism Awareness Month by participating in multisensory or sensory integration activities and identifying what makes each student unique and gifted in his or her own way!
Raymond Perseveres With A “Ready To Learn” Attitude
Learn more about our school today. Raymond, like many other students, experienced many challenges with adapting to virtual learning during the pandemic. Through it all, Raymond persevered through the adversity and came out on top! Raymond always logged into the virtual classroom sessions with a “ready to learn" attitude. He proved his ability to stay on task and reliably follow directions. Raymond’s consistency allowed him to [...]
Raha’s Perseverance and Positivity
Raha has shown tremendous growth and self-management since she started at Sierra Academy of Scottsdale just seven months ago. In the short time she has been at our school, she has learned to utilize coping strategies that enable her to remain in class and learn with her peers, even when she becomes frustrated. Raha is able to focus on more difficult tasks now and she demonstrates the desire [...]
School Spirit with Tie Dye
Tie dye is making a major comeback on the fashion scene. To keep with the trend, our social worker Ms. Ileana - head of the fashion department - helped us create our very own tie-dyed High Road School shirts. Even our building administrators and the principal at Caroline Career Technology Center received her own custom-made shirt made by High Road School student [...]
Anthony is Positive and Dedicated
Anthony has been a wonderful addition to our CBI classroom at Sierra School of Gilbert. He is a very kind and dedicated young man who always tries to help the staff and his classmates. Anthony comes to school every day with a positive attitude, and we can always tell when he is smiling, even behind his mask! Learn more about our school today. [...]
Morgan Challenges Herself and Always Volunteers To Help
Learn more about our school today. Miss Morgan is always up for a challenge, she volunteers to help whenever she can, and never lets a tough day get her down. She strives to lift up her fellow High Road School at North Dorchester Middle School staff members with encouragement and support. Morgan has brought her expertise in OT practices to our North Dorchester Middle [...]
Taylor Is Our Biggest Cheerleader
Learn more about our school today. Taylor is an advocate for students and staff at all 5 of her programs. Taylor is the High Road School at Choptank Elementary's team’s biggest cheerleader and is always looking for ways to help support staff and students. Taylor’s passion and enthusiasm are outstanding and she is always striving to make sure the program model is followed with [...]
Mel Excels!
Congratulations to the March Staff of the Month, Mel Tserkis! Mel Tserkis, Admin Assistant Mel goes above and beyond her role in the building. She takes on so many extra projects and activities with both the staff and students. Mel is currently an awesome mentor to two other staff members and doing a great job helping them grow! Learn more about our school today. [...]
Spreading Kindness Like Confetti!
Staff and students at the High Road program in North Caroline High School and Caroline Innovative Pathways got some kindness thrown their way! High Road School social worker, Ms. Ileana, helped students understand the meaning of kindness and giving. Ms. Ileana and students took to the classroom to hand out some yummy donuts and some bright smiles (under the masks of course). Students were excited [...]
CASE Social Committee
Learn more about our school today. Please join us in our weekly social committee . Flyers and packets have been sent home with your child. We will begin our 5 week program April 19th!!!! Please sign up and let your child's teacher know which committee they are interested in.
Engaging Social Skills
Wow, what a month! Mrs. Akeley our school social worker has been learning and using two new curriculums for this school year! The first curriculum is Zones of Regulation and the second curriculum is WhyTry. Zones of Regulation, see attached picture for her new bulletin board, is a great way for our students to understand how they are feeling physically and to be able to identify the emotion [...]
Zach Is Striving!
High Road School of Wright City is excited to recognize BEST’s Zach as our March Student of the Month. Since joining High Road’s family, Zach has made tremendous improvements within the classroom. Zach has shown fluency in his understanding of tasks, completes tasks, and has improved his willingness to transition to different environments while working with different staff. Zach is striving! We are SO PROUD of you Zach! [...]
Read Across America Day
Learn more about our school today. March has been a busy month for out TSP programs. We celebrated Read Across America Day and took to the outdoors to enjoy some Dr. Seuss stories. Staff at High Road School at Choptank Elmentary were showing their school pride and school spirit with their Read Across America Day swag! Students and staff at High [...]
A Flower Bouquet For Ms. Ileana
Students at the High Road Program at Denton Elementary School showed their appreciation for Ms. Ileana during Social Worker Appreciation Month. The students made spring tissue paper flowers with their thumb print in the middle and arranged them into a bouquet. Each student also wrote about what they enjoyed working on with Ms. Ileana and let her know that we are so "lucky" to [...]
Sports Day!
Spring has sprung and with warmer weather making its way in, both staff and students couldn’t wait to get out and start moving! An NCHS football coach came down to the High Road classroom to talk to our students about what it takes to join the team next year. This information keeps our students motivated to keep their grades up throughout [...]
Llama Time: Travel Edition
Follow along as one of our students rates and describes Branson's newest attraction! https://youtu.be/GFTXsTNPeIo Learn more about our school today.
Discovering Owl Pellets
Students in Ms. Lefebvre's Class enjoyed a hands-on activity to wrap up their unit of Animals Adaptations. They explored and dissected owl pellets. Students were able to identify what types of bones an animals the owls ate to survive.
Anthony’s Incredible Efforts
Anthony has been selected for our March Student Spotlight for his incredible efforts. He is working on credit recovery with the goal to earn his high school diploma. Since joining Sierra School of Peoria, Anthony has earned credits in Algebra, Digital Arts, Physical Education and English. He has been focused on coming to school every day, having exemplary interactions with staff and his peers, and having fun playing [...]
Read Naturally Helps Students Read Naturally
Read Naturally's research-based reading interventions have helped Matthew and his classmates become fluent readers and make solid gains in comprehension and vocabulary. Matthew loves being able to work independently and also track his progress by graphing his pass scores! Read Naturally Encore II has allowed Ms. Searles to differentiate instruction easily and accelerate students' reading achievement using both printed materials and audio CDs. [...]
Hybrid Model Isn’t Slowing Us Down!
With more and more students in the North Caroline High School building it has been exciting to see all the different parts of the day. Mrs. Shontia and Mr. Mike working with in-person students and Ms. Z modifying assignments for our virtual students. Mr. Mike and Jefferey putting their strength to the test in PE class, who do you think lasted [...]
March Madness
Learn more about our school today. Students and Staff are mad about March - there are lots of activities that students enjoyed and worked on collaboratively.
Scoring Big In Math
Need ideas for getting your middle school students excited for math class? Ask our High Road School at Lockerman Middle School lead teacher, Joey! Mr. Joey's math lessons have been a fun way for students to learn and practice solving equations. Check out this picture recently captured during one of Mr. Joey's "Solve That Equation!" math lesson! In the photo, you can see Mr. Joey leading "Solve That [...]
Worry Buddies with Ms. Taylor
Learn more about our school today. March is off to a great start at Sandy Hill Elementary! We have learned how to manage our emotions using our coping strategies and “worry buddies," which students had so much fun making (thank you Ms. Taylor). Students will continue to focus on developing their social and emotional regulation skills as the year progresses.
Community-Based Learning: Grocery Shopping
Because learning doesn't only happen within the four walls of the school, High Road School of Southern York is committed to providing community-based instruction opportunities to our students of transition age. Our students had the opportunity to put their hard work and learning into action as they shopped for ingredients needed to make their own lunches. Students planned the meal, made the grocery list, budgeted, shopped and prepared their [...]
Meet Miles!
High Road School of Southern York had a very special visitor, Miles, a Siberian Husky and his handler! Students had the opportunity to meet Miles one on one and spend time asking questions, petting, reading and enjoying his company! We are excited to be able to offer this experience to our students on a regular basis. We can't wait for Miles to visit again! [...]
Painting A Snack Tray!
This week, students, Jamani and Tynan, helped to sand and paint a snack tray for the school with Mr. Caliri, our Transition Coordinator. Learn more about High Road School today!
Science MATTERS
Throughout our unit on Matter, our 4th and 5th grade students have been provided with different opportunities to practice aspects of and demonstrate their understanding of performance expectations aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), for example: 5-PS1-4 Conduct an investigation to whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances. One of the lesson objectives was to identify different changes that can happen to [...]
Nathan’s Day 50 Blue Party!
On March 9, 2021, High Road at Denton Elementary School had the opportunity to celebrate one of our students' big accomplishments. Nathan is one of our 4th graders who earned 50 days on Blue Level and a Day 50 Blue party! Earning 50 days on Blue is a huge accomplishment and we are beyond proud of Nathan for reaching this milestone of success. Nathan was very excited to [...]
Special Education Teachers at Graham Academy Featured, Share Pandemic Experiences
Two special education teachers at Graham Academy were featured on FOX 56 WOLF. Both Olivia Caraballo and Amanda Beck graduated from Wilkes University last spring. Not only did they walk into a new classroom and profession, but they found themselves in an entirely new world when coronavirus hit. The Graham Academy is a special education school that focuses on elementary students with autism and behavioral challenges. "Special Ed is already [...]
Learning To Count Change
Students were practicing with our play money on learning the skill of how to count change back to a customer. This was a hands-on lesson that was a lot of fun and the class seemed to catch on quickly. Handling money is a vital life skill that all students will need to be proficient in before entering the workforce.
A Tribute to Ms. Debbie
Debbie Spotleson, Executive Administrative Assistant at Sierra Academy for over 10 years, says goodbye to her family at Sierra to take on a new position supporting the organization in a role in the Human Resources Department. We are very excited for the opportunity she has worked so hard for and we will never have another Ms. Debbie. Debbie has been a cornerstone [...]
Santiago’s Example
Santiago is a kind, respectful, and hardworking student, who's always positive in every way. He is always eager to learn and has excellent participation in class. He is very responsible and consistently puts forth his best effort to succeed academically. Santiago strives to do the right thing and sets a great example for others to follow. We are so proud of this hardworking young man and he is [...]
Celebrating Diversity
The students of Academic 3 recently had the pleasure of hosting children's author (and SESI employee) Nichole Rages for a reading of her book "The Girl with the Magic Tummy." This book is a part of a multicultural series celebrating differences and fostering cultural harmony. Alongside the reading, Nichole provided South Korean candy, chips, and pancakes for the students to enjoy. The students gave the [...]
Young Author’s Competition
Several of our students at The High Road School of Cecil County participated in the Young Author's Competition, submitting writing pieces about what Black History Month means to them. Below are the pieces from our finalists! “What Black History Month Means to Me” By: Drew Black History month is a time for reflection No equality deserves an objection Being treated unfairly makes me sad Watching my [...]
Mr. W’s Last Day
Mr. W’s Last Day: Friday, March 5, 2021 was Mr. Wilkie’s last day at High Road School of Massachusetts. As part of his goodbye party, our student Jamani matched outfits for the day! Jamani chose to match outfits with Mr. W. because “he’s been a positive influence” on Jamani since he began as a student at High Road School of Massachusetts in January [...]
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
The Sierra School of Gilbert & Sierra Day Program know that diverse, inclusive communities are the strongest. We recognize the barriers that people with disabilities still face in connecting to their communities. March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! Learn more about our school today.
Ms. Costa’s Science Experiment
Last week, students in Ms. Costa’s 11-12 grade class participated in a science experiment about tooth enamel. Students put an egg in various liquids (milk, Coke, vinegar, and Sunny Delight). After 7 days, the students removed the eggs to see what effect the liquids had on their shells, much like the effects they would have on human teeth. Most interesting was the vinegar [...]
Learning The Value Of Money
Students at High Road School of New London learned how to count return change! They also learned to recognize different coins and their value, keywords such as earnings, savings, and spending, and they learned to understand where money comes from and why it's a necessary part of our everyday lives.
Adrianna: Dedicated and Compassionate
High Road School of Massachusetts staff chose Adrianna as our February staff of the month! Adrianna was nominated for coming back to High Road ready to take on her new role as TA with dedication and compassion. Staff noted Adrianna has demonstrated a willingness to learn and a passion for education and have spoken about her strong ability to build positive relationships with students while consistently [...]
Student of the Month: Jamani
Jamani was nominated for stopping his elopement behavior, making progress building positive peer relationships, and contributing to a positive school climate! Staff noted that Jamani has an engaging sense of humor, is always happy to share a conversation, and has positively adjusted to High Road School of Massachusetts. Jamani never misses a day of school and has made progress building relationships with non-preferred staff. Our school has much [...]
Honoring Black History Month
Students at Sierra School of Gilbert learned about influential leaders and inventors for Black History Month. Lessons were adapted so students could practice a variety of skills while celebrating the contributions and legacy of African Americans. Students and staff collaborated to create door designs and compete in a school wide contest to determine which room created the most creative and unique door. Learn more about [...]
I Have A Dream…
Winter is a time to celebrate a lot of different and exciting holidays! We celebrate holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January and Presidents' day in February, where we celebrate our founding leaders and how far we have come with our country's presidency! Here at High Roads School of Wallingford, we are celebrating diversity and teaching our students about the great Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa [...]
Virtual Career Fair
The first High Roads School Virtual Career Fair with the Connecticut Schools was amazing! Presenters from all career fields were in attendance. The students got to engage and ask questions and also learn more about traditional and non-traditional occupations in the workforce. This was a very successful event and it was great to see how much our students learned.
Bryan the Mathematician
In the month of February, we have been discussing our student's future career choice. Bryan said that he wants to be a scientist! His favorite subjects are math and science of course. In this photo Bryan and Mr. Tre are working on Algebra, which is in fact a middle school math skill! At first, he didn't think he would like it, but now this has become [...]
Jeremiah’s Excellent Progress
Jeremiah has made wonderful progress over the past year since starting at Sierra School of Gilbert. His school attendance has dramatically improved along with his overall engagement in classroom lessons and activities. Jeremiah has become a natural ambassador for his classroom in the most positive and appropriate ways. He has become a good problem-solver and is using his learned coping skills to work through social issues with peers effectively [...]
Local Black History Month Learning
To celebrate Black History Month, staff and students spent time this month learning about their local culture and history with its deep roots here in Dorchester County, Maryland. Learn more about our school today.
De’Andre Is Resilient
De’Andre has experienced some struggles during the pandemic with virtual learning and being away from school. These struggles have had a big impact on him and he has faced many challenges. However, De’Andre is resilient. He continues to focus on the positive things in his life like basketball, coming to school every day with a smile and also letting us know when he is feeling overwhelmed so we [...]
Caretaker Support Group: Self-Care
We know that the uncertain and ever-changing times are impactful not only for our students but for their caretakers as well. Our March support group will provide an opportunity to network with other adults in similar situations and identify effective strategies to promote your physical, emotional, and mental health. The group will meet March 18 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. We hope to see you there! [...]
Getting Groovy with Science
We have a new student at Sandy Hill - a fifth grader! He has been a great influence on everyone in the class. He is very interested in science which has made everyone in the class want to learn more about science as well. We have decided to add weekly science experiments to learn more about our lessons and see what we are learning [...]
Mr. Wilkie Creates an Engaging Environment
Mr. Wilkie creates a fun educational environment for our students with his sense of humor and energy. When visiting our school, you can find Mr. Wilkie skipping up the stairs, laughing with students, and helping out everywhere he can. Recently, Mr. Wilkie went above and beyond for our students when he became both TA and teacher for his students while the classroom teacher was on leave. [...]
Two Students of the Month!
AJ was chosen as student of the month because of his extraordinary contagious smile and contagious positive attitude. AJ always lightens the mood and knows exactly how to get someone to laugh and turn their day around. AJ loves spending time with staff and his peers while in school listening to music, playing tag, taking walks, and giving fist bumps. AJ is doing [...]
Expanding Our Knowledge And Our Classroom
Mmmmm! Do you smell that? It smells like the hot chocolate is ready! Grab a cup and your fuzzy boots as we head into High Road School at Denton on a cold February morning. In class, our students have been creating robins during group project time hoping for spring to come early. In the meantime, our fifth graders are learning about the history of [...]
From Aggression to Achievement: Jacob’s Story
When Jacob became a student at High Road School in Danielson, CT, his mother, Tiffany, hoped the school could help with Jacob’s behavior and academics. After witnessing a remarkable turnaround in Jacob, it’s safe to say that this school has exceeded Tiffany’s expectations. Early Struggles After kindergarten, Jacob began to exhibit troubling behaviors. According to Tiffany, Jacob simply wanted no part of schoolwork, and he figured out an effective [...]
In Their Own Words
High Road School of Harford County staff member Coleen Peals had a vision for a regional Black History Month event for staff and students. Collaborating with Mr. Andrew from High Road School of Anne Arundel County and Mr. Uka from the High Road Schools in Delaware, Ms. Coleen presented "In Their Own Words", an event highlighting the background and success of these two High Road School staff members [...]
Love You To Pizzas
Elementary students enjoyed creating their own heart-shaped pizzas in celebration of Valentine’s Day! Learn more about our school today.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day to the Maryland State Police, Union Hospital, & The Conowingo Veteran’s Center! High Road School of Cecil County students and staff showed their love and appreciation for these individuals through handmade crafts, drawings, cards, and sweet treats! Visit our website to learn more about High Road School
The Corner Cafe
High Road School of Southern York is proud to announce the grand opening of The Corner Cafe! Transition students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to participate in the employment process from application to paycheck! Students learn job readiness skills in the classroom then apply them in this simulated real-world setting. Employees of the Cafe receive a "paycheck" and learn about money management, budgeting and real-life expenses! This steppingstone [...]
Virtual Valentine’s Day Dance Party
Staff and students joined DJ Mr. B for a virtual dance party with trivia, prizes, song requests and fun! Learn more about our school today.
Jeff’s a Rockstar
Jeff, always been a rock star! However, within the past month, he has set up and has been the driving force behind LMS. He takes on responsibilities outside of the normal role and has an awesome impact on the students he works with. He is able to effectively handle co-teaching virtual students as well as in person students. Jeffs ability to use therapeutic approach and diffuse situations helps the [...]
Mr. Alston’s Unwavering Commitment
Mr. Alston has an unwavering passion and commitment for the kids and the staff. He always goes over and above the call of duty. He is a great listener, and he is well known for his work with those who have the biggest communication blocks. Learn more about our school today.
Miquell Connects with Students
Miquell joined Sierra Academy as a 1:1 in 2018. Miquell has a very calm demeanor and was able to connect with all students. He demonstrated the ability to be able to de-escalate students who were in crisis. He works well with his peers and has definite emerging leadership skills. He routinely takes on projects and takes the initiative to assist staff members with anything that they need. His [...]
High Road School of Nashville Reopens, Featured on WKRN
High Road School of Nashville was featured on WKRN about the phased reopening schools in The Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) system. On a virtual learning model since Thanksgiving break, the school reopened for in-person instruction on Thursday, February 4. Education Director Gentry Campbell shared her excitement about students’ return, saying “I love them being in school and I miss them being in school!” She added, “It has been [...]
Brian Shows Leadership
High Road School of Wright City is proud to recognize Brian as our January Student of the Month. Throughout January, Brian consistently attended Zoom instruction and has no missing assignments. Brian has shown initiative in his work and the level system. Brian is currently on level Green and is earning As and Bs for his grades! Brian has shown significant improvement in using appropriate language and having on [...]
Mastering Hybrid Learning
The North Caroline High Team have the hybrid learning mastered! Staff and students are navigating the way through helping students who are learning at home and students who are able to safely be in the building. Mrs. Shontia and Dazzavaion are working hard together on some assignments to wrap up the end of the quarter. Isaiah and Ms. Z are working on a biology [...]
Two Incredible Staff Members!
Mr. Ian is a new addition to the High Road team this year. However, it is nearly impossible to tell with his professional attitude, rapport with the students, and flexibility. Mr. Ian has risen to the challenge through several staff changes in the classroom and switching between virtual and in-person learning throughout the school year. Mr. Ian’s passion for teaching shines through his positive attitude and willingness to be [...]
Wyatt’s Successful Transitioning
Wyatt has been successfully transitioning back to his home school, Cactus High School. He is enrolled in two classes and doing a great job of meeting the expectations for both campuses. Wyatt, we are very proud of your accomplishments! Learn more about our school today.
Cole’s Growth and Maturity
Cole has been at Sierra Academy for two years. He has shown tremendous growth and maturity during his time with us. Cole has learned a variety of coping strategies that he applies to navigate the challenges of being a teenager and student during the global pandemic. Cole volunteers on campus, assisting his peers and he continues to be actively engaged in all academics, regardless of the obstacles. Great [...]
Keep Up The Great Work!
Learn more about our school today. The highlight of our month was getting to see the High Road School at Choptank Elementary students in person by making some deliveries. We made up goody bags and certificates for the students to congratulate them on the great work they’ve done this year and remind them that they are halfway through the school year. We [...]
TJ Models Active Participation for Others
TJ’s Spanish teacher reported that he has not missed a single Spanish class so far this year. Additionally, TJ is an active participant who completes assignments in a timely and accurate manner. TJ is Ms. Victoria’s only student to have maintained a 100% all year in Spanish! In addition, TJ is an active participant in every school event: Best CASE Friday, Raffles, Career Fairs, Holiday Events, [...]
Iyonna is a Diligent Model Student
Iyonna ensures that she attends every Zoom class and takes great pride in completing and submitting her work in a timely fashion. Even if Iyonna needs to miss a class, she will ensure that the assignment(s) she missed are turned in that evening. Iyonna is always an active participant in class and is always bringing positivity to the peers and staff within the classroom. Iyonna is [...]
Huge Strides for Thomas
Thomas has been attending his Zoom classes all day every day and has improved his grades from F’s to C’s in a matter of weeks with all of the extraordinary efforts he is dedicating to school! Additionally, Thomas has been earning all of his CASE points every day, and overall has made huge strides to improve his grades and behavior! Visit our [...]
Supporting Classroom Behavior Webinar Series
Social behaviors, like academics, require intentional teaching and feedback for students to build fluency and achieve mastery. It is important to have a comprehensive, proactive system to support students’ behavior in the classroom. Without clear expectations, people feel confused, anxious, or unsure how to proceed, all of which can lead to challenging behaviors. When educators – whether in special education, alternative education, or general education – are clear [...]
New Year – New Goals
As we are wrapping up our memories of Christmas, students are delighted to be back whether in person or on zoom for this new year. Speaking of new things, every program started their very own data chats with their students towards the end of last year. So far, students here at High Road School at Denton Elementary have been responding well to reflecting [...]
Andrew is a Strong Self-Advocate
High Road School of Wright City is proud to recognize Andrew as our December Student of the Month. Andrew is currently transitioning back to his home school district. Throughout his transition, Andrew has shown that he is able to maintain his composure and academics when faced with new challenges. Andrew is a strong self-advocate. Andrew not only appropriately communicates his concerns - he also works with staff to [...]
College Tuesdays
New year, new opportunities! Starting Tuesday, January 12th, The High Road School of Cecil County students will have the chance to meet with college representatives from various local schools every Tuesday. View the information here. Thank you to all of the participating schools, we appreciate your dedication to our students! Learn more about our school today.
Successful Transitioning: Derek’s Story
Jon Dohner is proud of how his son, Derek, successfully transitioned to the workforce – thanks to the robust transition skills programming offered by Sierra Schools. “Sierra really helped prepare Derek for his adult life. They helped build his confidence, and his ability to be more comfortable around people,” he says. Derek participated in the transition skills program at a Sierra Schools program in California. The former student shares the [...]
Virtual Career Fair
Join High Road School of Cecil County & The High Road School of Delaware as we welcome professionals from varying careers and trades to speak with our students about their futures! The Virtual Career Fair will be held on January 15, 2021 via Zoom. Please see the flyer to the left for the meeting ID and password. We hope to see you there! Learn more about our [...]
Sabrina Rises To The Challenge
Sabrina seamlessly took on the lead role at Snow Hill High School in the teacher's absence during November and December. She did so with incredible organization, confidence, patience and skill. Sabrina is always professional, caring, and honest. She treats her coworkers and students with patience and respect. Sabrina rose to the challenge of leading the SHHS classroom while the teacher was out and showed her responsibility, willingness to be [...]
Mentally Healthy Winter Season
Winter can be a dreary time, and time off of school can be a difficult transition. As we all know, being in a pandemic and continuously handling the stressors from the pandemic only adds to our usual winter blues. Right now, more than ever, our mental health is extremely important! Below are some ways to keep your mental space happy and healthy during winter break, and the winter months! [...]
Mr. Maxi: Intrinsically Kind
High Road School of Massachusetts staff chose Mr. Maxi as our December staff of the month! Mr. Maxi always has a kind word for others and is attentive to the needs of all students and staff. Several staff commented that Mr. Maxi is always present and on time for work with a smile on his face, ready for each day. Recently, Mr. Maxi has helped our [...]
Tynan: a Respectful and Good Mentor
In December, High Road School of Massachusetts staff chose Tynan as our student of the month! Tynan took on a mentor role with a student from another class, welcoming him to High Road and spending his lunches getting to know our new student. Every morning, Tynan comes to school full of positivity and a compliment for each person he greets. His teacher, Ms. Strong, nominated him [...]
Celebrating in Style
While it has been a difficult transition for many students - DES student Jayden is thriving at school. He has been consistent with academics and behavior and celebrates day 50 Blue level. This is the highest level a student can earn in our classroom wide behavior management system. Jayden enjoyed his cake with classmates and also watched a movie with students who were participating in school virtually. [...]
New Sierra School in San Bernandino Market Provides Needed Community Resource for Students with Special Needs
School Marks Eighth California SESI Location COLTON, Calif., Jan 04, 2021 — Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the opening of the Sierra School of East Valley (1325 E. Cooley Drive, 2nd Floor, Colton, CA). The new school marks the eighth Sierra School [...]
New Sierra School in San Bernandino Market Provides Needed Community Resource for Students with Special Needs
School Marks Eighth California SESI Location COLTON, Calif., Jan 04, 2021 — Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the opening of the Sierra School of East Valley (1325 E. Cooley Drive, 2nd Floor, Colton, CA). The new school marks the eighth Sierra School [...]
Ms. Kim is a Phenomenal Team Player
Ms. Kim has done a phenomenal job acting as a team player for everyone within the High Road School so far this year. She is always willing to share her time between classrooms to help cover staff that are out of the building, in meetings, or to just lend an extra helping hand. Additionally, Ms. Kim has taken on the responsibility of organizing Best CASE Friday every week and [...]
Pen Pals
A pandemic and social distancing hasn't stopped students in Hamden's K-3 classroom from making new friends this school year! Focusing on the Common Core State Standards for writing, students started writing friendly letters to their pen pals at High Road School of Fairfield County in October. Students learned about the different parts of a letter, like the heading, body, closing and signature and practiced their neatest handwriting! After writing [...]
Ms. Crews’ Collaborative Approach
Allie Crews is a new addition to the High Road team for the 2020-2021 school year and has proved to be a collaborative and positive member of the team. Allie works in the newest in-district classroom where she uses her collaborative approach to problem-solve all aspects of her classroom. She has taken on this challenging year as a new educator head-on and has supported her students and staff by [...]
Mrs. Allyson’s Impact and New Role
All of the staff from HRS of Cecil County want Mrs. Allyson Scherer to know how excited we are to have her move into her new role as Head Teacher! Mrs. Allyson continually strives for excellence and puts emphasis on building confidence and competence in all of our students as her ongoing mission. Her efforts are not only valued by fellow staff and students, but traverse into the homes [...]
Our December Stars!
Student of the Month: Felix Felix is our December student of the month! Felix is one of our sixth grade all stars. Staff voted for Felix as he has shown much improvement since the beginning of the year and is consistently participating during all rotations! Mrs. Akeley stated, “Felix has worked so hard this year to learn and implement social skills. He is a kind and thoughtful community member.” [...]
Christian’s Impressive Engagement
The staff at High Road have been impressed with Christian’s engagement while participating in distance learning. He holds himself accountable for logging-in for his scheduled Zoom and Google classroom sessions with the teacher and teacher's assistant. He is patient when technology isn’t cooperating, and he has done an excellent job expressing his frustrations appropriately! Christian, keep up the amazing work! Learn more about our school today. [...]
Kenyon: Exemplary, with a Smile
Since moving from our Primary school to High School, Kenyon has been an exemplary student. He is friendly, helpful, and understanding of his peers. He is polite, respectful, and courteous to staff. Always giving a smile and saying “Hi!”, Kenyon has recently become a Gold student. He has done excellent handling all of the responsibilities that come along with that title. He is extremely proud of his accomplishment [...]
Thank You Mr. Landon
Dear High Road Staff Team, I can’t thank you enough for how much you have helped me and how many hoops you are always jumping through hoops just to keep me going with my work and you are always encouraging me to do my best on all of my work and telling me to be the best me I can be. Not only are you a excellent help to [...]
A Bright Future: Patrick’s Story
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 [...]
Savannah’s Amazing Growth
High Road School of Wright City is proud to recognize Savannah as our November Student of the Month. Savannah is a GOLD student in High Road’s Academic 3 classroom. Ms. Forrest shares that in the month of November, Savannah has shown HUGE growth academically. Savannah not only participates in hybrid and in person instruction; Savannah consistently completes her assignments. Savannah is dependable and always willing to offer a helping [...]
An Indispensable Staff Member
Michael Goodrich has been an indispensable member of the team this month. Michael has always been available and ready to handle all COVID medical-related issues as well as making sure the school is in compliance with all state and town regulations due to the Pandemic. He is always willing to check students and staff to ensure that everyone on the Wallingford Campus is safe and healthy. [...]
Pen Pals
A pandemic and social distancing hasn't stopped students in Hamden's K-3 classroom from making new friends this school year! Students have learned how to write a friendly letter and have been making progress towards different writing and language standards, like using commas in greetings and closings of letters. They started writing letters to their pen pals at High Road School of Fairfield County in October. After writing their first [...]
Congratulations Sean!
Sean is new to our school this year. He has been doing a great job transitioning to the school and classroom. He is on one of our highest level colors, Blue! The staff in the school voted on Sean because he is kind and friendly and is a hard worker. Congratulations Sean! Learn more about our school today.
November Golden Teacher of The Month
Mrs. Allyson was nominated by the directors of the High Road School of Cecil County as the “Golden Teacher” of the month. Since the start of the school year, Mrs. Allyson has collaborated with the marketing team to keep the school website updated with new and fun pieces such as the student of the month, the staff of the month, and other fun events that occur within the school building. [...]
November Staff of the Month
Ms. Britney has stepped up as a leader within her classroom this year. She brings enthusiasm and support to both her teaching team and students every day. Recently, Ms. Britney arose for the challenge of ensuring her classroom ran smoothly and efficiently while Mr. Malcolm was out of the building. She shows great passion whenever she teaches science and works with students to ensure they understand the material. Ms. [...]
Student of the Month – Bradley P.
Bradley has done a great job turning around his behavior and academics from the start of the school year. Bradley now regularly attends all of his classes via Zoom and is always happy to participate. Bradley was one of the first students to go back to in-person learning and he did so with a seamless transition. Bradley has impressed his teachers with his adaptability and flexibility with every transition [...]
The “Perfect Fit” for Mr. Tyler
Mr. Tyler is a new addition to the High Road team; however, it feels like he has been a part of the team for quite some time. From his very first day at High Roads, Mr. Tyler adapted to our school culture, academics, behavior management, and our students. Mr. Tyler has already proved his passion and dedication to his students by creating interactive lessons where he will sometimes even [...]
Putting The Students First
Michael Cunha - TeacherMichael Cunha has been a teacher at the High Road School of Cecil County since 2015. Prior to joining the High Road team, Mr. Mike worked in banking, as well as in the restaurant industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hofstra University and has since completed graduate work in special education at Wilmington University while earning a Maryland teaching certificate. Mr. Mike prioritizes the [...]
Ron’s Hard Work & Dedication
Ron has been doing an excellent job with distance learning. He is engaged, participates in class discussions regularly, completes his work in a timely manner, and always attends his Zoom classes! Ron recently participated in the Virtual Art Exhibit where he showcased his favorite piece of artwork for the entire school. Ms. Morgan is super proud of all of Ron’s hard work and dedication to turning around his grades from [...]
Ms. Morgan is Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone
Ms. Morgan is stepping out of her comfort zone and trying new things. She is always on time with her documentation and she has been offering to support in any way she can. Morgan has done amazing with all of the transitions that have occurred this year, going back and forth between in-person learning and virtual learning has never phased her. Morgan will be stepping into a new role soon [...]
Thank You Cory
Cory has done an amazing job developing a positive rapport with all of the kids in the elementary room this year, virtually and in-person. Cory has been flexible, adaptable, and has taken on every challenge this school year with a positive attitude. Cory is an incredible asset to the elementary classroom. Mrs. Allyson and her students are very appreciative of Cory's hard work and dedication to their classroom. [...]
Adjusting To Change With Drew
Drew has done amazing at coming back to the building and makes sure to wear his mask, sanitize, and use his breaks to wash his hands at the sink. Drew has adjusted to many changes in the new school year and has been doing amazing! Learn more about our school today.
Thanksgiving Food Donations For Students & Parents
The Zeta Nu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated donated 75 Food Boxes to the Families of the students of PATH Academy on November 17, 2020. Parents came to the school to receive the food items donated. Thank you so much to everyone involved, our families greatly appreciated the generosity. Learn more [...]
Jacob Adds Joy to the Classroom
October Student of the Month Jacob recently began at High Road School of Windham County, transferring from our New London school. His transition to his new school has been flawless. His teacher Ms. Marcille states “Jacob loves his teacher Ms. B and his TAs, as well as Ms. Ulrich." Jacob thinks his teacher is the funniest person he knows and she feels the same about him! HIs teacher added, "He [...]
Mallory’s Making Tremendous Progress
Mallory was selected for the student of the month for the month of November. She worked incredibly hard to reach Blue level this month and continues to work hard maintaining it! Mallory always puts her best effort into her academics and is willing to ask for help when needed. Mallory has done a great job of modeling acceptable and appropriate behavior and good work habits. This past month Mallory [...]
Meet Lou Guertin
Lou Guertin – High Road & IDC Program Director In 2004, I first started my career as a Teacher in Wilmington, Delaware. Once the original school in Cecil was built, I taught here for 3 years. During this time, our school grew from 30 students to 67 students, and we needed to split the schools to accommodate for space. From here, I went to build out our new site [...]
A Thanksgiving For All
Capital Academy held a Thanksgiving dinner for all students November 19th. Staff prepared all food which consisted of the necessities: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and baked mac & cheese. All were grateful and satisfied! Learn more about our school today.
Staff of the Month: Mrs. Rey
High Road School’s staff of the month is Mrs. Rey! Mrs. Rey is one of the more veteran staff members we have. Staff voted for Mrs. Rey because of her amazing ability to engage her students. Staff appreciate her consistency to our school model too! “Mrs. Rey’s lessons are creative, fun and she always goes above and beyond especially with our remote learning. Staff respect her and I [...]
Special Education Services, Inc. Strengthens West Coast Team With Appointment of Dr. Grace Losada to Regional Vice President, California
Special Education Advocate and Leader Brings More Than 20 Years’ Experience to Company SAN DIEGO, Nov. 16, 2020 — Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the appointment of Grace Losada, Ed.D. to regional vice president for California. In this role, Losada is [...]
Expanded Services With Adult Day Program
Focus on Purposeful Activities and Enhancing Daily Living Skills for Young Adults 18-26 Who Are Exiting School Services GILBERT, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2020 — Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports, announced the opening of its Adult Day Program (DTA) at the Sierra School of Gilbert. The program, which serves young adults (ages 18-26) with developmental [...]
Semaj’s Hard Work
Semaj is a hard-working student who joined our class this Fall. Although he has been participating virtually, he has fully embraced our classroom community. Semaj arrives to class early every morning with a kind greeting and friendly conversation for his teachers and classmates. He ensures he is prepared for his class work and always puts forth his best effort. He is eager to participate in class, encourage classmates and [...]
Real Impact with Mrs. Burgos
What impact has Mrs. Burgos had on colleagues and students over the past month? Mrs. Burgos comes to work each day happy and willing to take on any task. She worked quickly to get to know our schoolwide model, her colleagues and most importantly the students in her classroom, asking important questions and taking initiative. Her calm and caring demeanor has comforted students and helped them adjust to a [...]
Mrs. Lisa Passion for Teaching
Mrs. Lisa is one of our teaching assistants with the Cecil Alternative Program. She has taught social studies for the last year with a rambunctious group of middle and high school students. Mrs. Lisa is passionate about teaching social studies as it is her favorite subject. Recently, Mrs. Lisa decided to go back to school to finish her bachelor’s degree in history so she can further grow with SESI. [...]
Welcome, Mr. Malcolm!
Mr. Malcolm is a new addition to our High Road family this year. He has done an excellent job taking on his new role as a teacher. So far, there has not been one task too daunting for Mr. Malcolm. Additionally, Mr. Malcolm is energetic and has a positive energy that is infectious for all students and staff that work with him. Mr. Malcolm takes the time to get [...]
Evan is a Model Student
Evan is new to High Road School this year and he has done an amazing job adjusting to our program and school culture. Evan completes all of his assignments and never misses a Zoom class. Evan actively participates in Zoom sessions with class discussions and answering questions. Evan is a true representation of a model High Road student. Learn more about our school today. [...]
We’re Proud of Cylis
Mr. Dusan has said that Cylis is off to a great start this school year! He is completing all of his assignments, attending all of his classes, and turning in his work in a timely manner. Cylis’ favorite classes are art, science, and math. Additionally, Cylis enjoys participating in class discussions, especially when it is about a topic he has an interest in. Cylis loves earning CASE cash and [...]
Welcome Back, Mr. Lou!
In 2004, I first started my career as a Teacher in Wilmington, Delaware. Once the original school in Cecil was built, I taught here for 3 years. During this time, our school grew from 30 students to 67 students, and we needed to split the schools to accommodate for space. From here, I went to build out our new site in Perryville, MD in 2007. After becoming the [...]
Victoria Is An Invaluable Team Member
Victoria joined the High Road team at the start of the school year and has already proven to be an invaluable member to the team. As a first year teacher, Ms. Victoria took on two classes at one time! Victoria is a team player and is always willing to go above and beyond for her co-workers and students. Victoria has learned quickly in her new role and already embodies [...]
Caitlin Is An Awesome Mentor
Caitlin has been doing an awesome job mentoring all of CAP as she is helping several new teachers stay on track! She always answers any and all questions and has been teaching us how to do everything from IEPs to progress meetings. Caitlin has been an invaluable resource for all CAP staff! Learn more about our school today.
Levi’s Improved Engagement
Levi has been attending all of his Zoom sessions and showing great improvement with engagement. Levi loves earning Baby Shark for rewards upon the completion of class. Levi has started vocalizing his wants and needs more with his teachers and parents. Levi loves playing games and listening to music with his peers and has developed meaningful relationships with the other students in his class. Learn more about [...]
Candace Is Making Great Strides
Candace has entered this school year with great strides to apply herself with every challenge she is given. Candace is a role model in her classroom with perfect attendance and by displaying leadership and guidance to her fellow classmates. Candace consistently offers encouraging words and bright spirits that are contagious to the students around her. She is always a pleasure to have in class and always puts forth her [...]
Starting the Year Strong With Nicolai
Nicolai has started the school year off strong! He is regularly attending classes on Zoom and completing all of his assignments. Mr. Malcolm expressed that Nicolai was an invaluable asset to their classroom. Mr. Malcolm said that Nicolai completes his assignments with thoughtfulness and in a timely manner. Nicolai engages frequently in classroom discussions and is always willing to assist struggling students with their work. After completing a government [...]
Congratulations Noah!
Noah has done an exceptional job tackling distance learning. Noah attends all of his scheduled Zoom meetings, he participates in class, and completes all of his independent work that is assigned in a timely manner. Mrs. Allyson is impressed with Noah’s accountability for his schoolwork, and his time-management skills. Lastly, she is proud of Noah’s positive attitude. He frequently cheers on his peers and will congratulate them on a [...]
Mr. Cody is an Exceptional Mentor
Mr. Cody has seamlessly transitioned into his new position as the Cherry Hill IDC Site Supervisor. Mr. Cody is passionate about the success of his students, and the people who work alongside him. He has done an excellent job forming relationships with the staff, students, and the parents that he works with. Mr. Cody is an exceptional mentor and has gone above and beyond to ensure that new staff [...]
Ms. Lewis Goes “Above and Beyond”
According to her peers, Ms. Lewis always goes above and beyond. She always supports staff and students when needed. She makes great connections with the students and utilizes the CASE language like a rock star! She makes balancing many roles look easy and she is always positive in the classroom! Learn more about our school today.
Landin’s Adaptability
High Road School of Wright City is proud to recognize Landin as our October Student of the Month. Landin has shown great adaptability throughout the month of October by being able to adjust to new challenges within his classroom and via High Road’s hybrid model. Landin has taken initiative to stay on top of his own assignments, complete quality work, and hands his assignments in on time. When interacting [...]
One Creative Week in Fall…
Mrs. Rey, our staff member of the month, used her creative skills by coordinating a week of Halloween and fall activities - complete with fun music and glow sticks. The students participated in a pumpkin scavenger hunt and staff could not wait to play, too! Students played carnival games such as throw the ring on the octopus and knock down cans, dressed as characters [...]
Mr. Blanton: Strong Support
Mr. Blanton has been with the High Road team for 10 years. He is a team player and willing to help in any capacity, including sharing his experience with staff. He has fulfilled many roles such as 1:1, teaching assistant, and other necessary roles. He goes beyond supporting the students in their academics, taking time to build rapport with students in all classrooms. Mr. Blanton is a quiet [...]
Student Spotlight
Juliana was selected for student of the month for the month of October 2020. She has worked incredibly hard to remain on Blue level the entire month! She has remained on Blue level since the beginning of the school year by staying focused on herself and showing a great deal of persistence. She has motivated peers to do the same, always encouraging her classmates to stay on task and do [...]
Ni’zhi is September’s Superstar
Ni'zhi started at High Road in February 2020. This year, as a 9 year old 3rd grader, he has been a model student. Ni’zhi has been completing his work, helping peers, and displaying good sportsmanship during recess time. He is a hardworking young man, who respects his peers and staff. Let's keep up the good work Ni'zhi! "Ni'zhi has shown a tremendous amount of growth since starting at [...]
Jerome: Growing into Leadership
Jerome Lindsey has done an outstanding job since the beginning of the school year. He is currently applying for the Gold level. Last year, Jerome went for a student who would sleep most of the day; when awake, he would refuse to engage in his academics, achieving only the Yellow level. This year Jerome has made dramatic changes - now an exemplar student, he has grown into a [...]
Sierra Academy and Springall Academy Merge to Form Sierra School of San Diego
Move Provides More Opportunities to Educate and Care for Students with Special Needs SAN DIEGO, Oct. 27, 2020 — Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced its Sierra Academy and Springall Academy will merge to form the Sierra School of [...]
Return to school helps East Bridgewater students with disabilities succeed after remote learning
After months of remote learning due to the coronavirus pandemic, the High Road School of Massachusetts wanted to ensure a return to full in-person classes to best serve its students with disabilities especially struggling with attending school virtually. Unlike other schools around the area that have taken on a hybrid mix of in-person instruction and virtual learning upon return to school for the 2020-2021 school year, or chosen to [...]
Ms. Searles: Making Connections
Hamden couldn’t be more excited to welcome Ms. Searles to the team this school year as she begins her Special Education teaching career! Ms. Searles took over the role of our K-3 classroom teacher and has worked quickly to build positive relationships with each and every one of our students. From her classroom décor to her detailed and creative lesson plans, she has created a nurturing, positive environment where [...]
Positive Impact
Ms. Heather is a third-year assistant teacher at our IDC in Talbot County and has been an integral part of our classroom. Ms. Heather has received a positive staff referral for her positive attitude, willingness to help out, and dedication to our students, staff and program. Ms. Heather is always willing to help out with any tasks in the classroom and goes above and beyond for our students. [...]
We Are Lucky To Have Ms. Shannon
Shannon has been with us for four years here on the Eastern Shore High Road team, and she has gained an incredible amount of knowledge through her experiences. Shannon has stepped up to take the Lead role in the classroom at NDMS this school year, and she has done so with incredible skill and exceptional style. We had many students moving up to Middle School from 5th grade, and [...]
Kennard’s Positive Impact
Kennard has had such a positive impact on the staff and students here on the Eastern Shore. From working with Directors, Teachers, Social Workers, students and even parents – Kennard has helped us all with his insight and training. Kennard has also been jumping in with student zooms and being a supportive ear to parents. Kennard’s presence in the classroom to help problem solve and his energy on the [...]
We Couldn’t Do It Without You Ms. Fitzpatrick
Jill is an amazing teacher under any circumstances, but she has really shined under pressure this September. The recent changes in the learning environment have been a big adjustment for our students. After six months out of school, Denton Elementary was one of the first elementary schools in the state to welcome students back for in-person learning on September 8th. Jill is managing a classroom with half of her [...]
Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) Expands Footprint in Illinois With Opening of the High Road School of Peoria
Second School in the State Furthers SESI’s Commitment to Success for Students with Exceptionalities PEORIA, Ill., Sept. 30, 2020 — Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the opening of the High Road School of Peoria (325 W. Romeo B Garrett Avenue, [...]
We Are Proud Of You Landan
High Road School of Wright City is excited to recognize Landan as September’s Student of the Month!Landan is a 7th grade student in the Academic 2 classroom. Landan arrives to school each day prepared to share an interesting history fact. Landan’s teacher shares Landan has made great academic improvements in the month of September and has shown kindness to his peers. Landan is not only a great advocate for himself [...]
FullBloom Announces the Appointment of Arne Duncan as Chairman of its Board of Directors
September 23, 2020, Camden, N.J. – FullBloom, a leading provider of special education, instructional intervention, behavioral health and professional development solutions, announced the appointment of former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as chairman of the company’s board of directors. Duncan is a managing partner of the Emerson Collective, a social change organization that uses a broad range of tools including philanthropy, impact investing and policy solutions to create the [...]
Distance Learning Dos and Don’ts
DO set up a dedicated workspace. Students maintain focus and achieve greater learning when they have a defined and dedicated space with minimal distractions. This may be in a separate room or at the kitchen table. You know what will work best for your student. DO prepare in advance. At least ten minutes before the scheduled start time, encourage your student to get in the habit of setting [...]
ESY Staff of the Month
Our staff of the month for the summer is Ms. Buerkle! Ms. Buerkle just completed her first year with High Road School of Wallingford High School and has been a valuable member of our team. She has embodied the CORE 4 value of humility by never being afraid to ask questions and learn new methods to engage her students. Throughout the year, she has integrated novel studies, virtual [...]
Diane Myers of SESI: 5 Things That Should Be Done To Improve The US Educational System
As a part of their interview series about the things that should be done to improve the US educational system, Authority Magazine recently interviewed Diane Myers. Authority Magazine discussed with Diane, the current state of the country’s education system, women in education, and highlights of her notable career in the field of education Diane Myers serves as senior vice president, special education–behavior for Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a [...]
What do students lose when they don’t go back to classrooms?
Deseret News included Dr. Diane Myers, SESI SVP of Special Education - Behavior Management, in an article about the loss students face when they do not attend physical schools. Students with disabilities often require more structure, which is something schools can provide. It’s a struggle for online schools, according to Diane Myers, senior vice president of special education-behavior management practices at Specialized Education Services Inc. The company provides services for [...]
Specialized Education Services, Inc. Expands Footprint in Pennsylvania With Acquisition of The Graham Academy
August 19, 2020, Camden, N.J. – Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who require additional educational and positive behavioral supports to overcome challenges that impede success in a traditional school setting, today announced the acquisition of The Graham Academy, a special education school with locations in Kingston and Luzerne, Pennsylvania serving students with autism and other special needs. The acquisition of [...]
Teacher Spotlight – Special Education Teacher Amy McDade
Amy McDade is proof that it is never too late to follow your true passion in life. After years spent working in the food service industry, she pivoted for her second act, and today is an adored and dedicated special education teacher at the High Road School of Delaware in Wilmington. Here, she helps students with special needs from across the state. Ms. McDade found her calling in education [...]
High School Students With Behavioral and Learning Issues Overcome Challenging Landscape to Graduate in COVID-19 Era
July 30, 2020, Camden, N.J. – Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who face challenges that prevent them from being successful in a traditional classroom, celebrates the class of 2020 graduates across the country. Graduation is a milestone students, families and friends look forward to being a part of after many years of hard work and dedication to education. While some [...]
SESI Announces Free Webinar Exploring Behavior Support Best Practices for Engaging All Learners
CAMDEN, N.J., June 04, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who face challenges that prevent them from being successful in a traditional classroom, today announced the latest topic in its professional development (PD) webinar series. The session, Behavior Support to Engage All Learners: Defining and Reinforcing Expectations, will help educators learn the foundations of behavior support, what they look like [...]
Staff Spotlight- Ms. Jordana Fowlin
Jordana Fowlin has worked in the education field for a number of years and began her career in Social Work as a school Social Worker in 2018 at High Road School of Wallingford Primary/Middle, before joining the Hamden team at Dunbar Hill School. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Southern Connecticut State University and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University in New York. Ms. Fowlin will be returning to [...]
Special Education Services, Inc. Strengthens Leadership Team With Addition of Diane Myers, Ph.D.
CAMDEN, N.J., June 02, 2020 -- Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who face challenges that prevent them from being successful in a traditional classroom, today announced the appointment of Diane Myers, Ph.D. to senior vice president, special education-behavior. In this role, Myers is responsible for leading the company’s pedagogical approach to behavior practices. “As the organization continues to expand, Diane is [...]
Charlotte’s Web Reading
Our Special Education Teacher Ms. Serra has been reading aloud Charlotte's Web to students through pre-recorded videos. Students have been listening and completing excellent work each week about the characters and other topics both with paper and pencil at home and on Google Classroom and Seesaw! Learn more about our school today.
Jalen’s Engaging and Excelling
Jalen has done a fantastic job transitioning to online learning. He logs in for every Zoom class and completes all of his assigned work on time. He is doing very well in engaging and actively participating in the enrichment. Jalen has worked very hard to meet all of his goals. While in the building, Jalen was an active member of group discussions and often helped out his peers. [...]
Ms. E Keeps Students Engaged
Ms. E has put much effort into ensuring that student's are staying actively engaged in school. Just recently, Ms. E organized and delivered an embryology unit for students in which she set up cameras and allowed students to witness the hatching of baby chicks. The student's loved it. Ms. E has gone above and beyond the duties of a Team Leader during the mandated school closures. [...]
Timmy K Earns Student of the Month
During the current school closures, we have missed our students so much. We wanted to hear how some of our students are spending their time. One such student, Timmy K. completed his assignments accurately and timely and as a result earned Student of the Month. Timmy K is a dedicated, hard worker and enjoys helping others. He reassures us that he thoroughly enjoys learning in and [...]
March Student of the Month – Issac
What has this student done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Issac has grown both academically and socially. He has put in great effort to actively participate in distance learning. He has learned how to independently join his scheduled online direct instruction and helps his younger brother to connect to his. Provide feedback from a teacher or staff member on why this student is [...]
Student of the Month – Matthew
What has this student done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Matthew was selected for student of the month for the month of February. He worked incredibly hard to reach Blue level this month, finally making it to Blue at the end of the month! He attained Blue level by staying focused on himself and never giving up. He has motivated peers to do [...]
Staff of the Month – April
Mr. Kim began as a teaching assistant in the Warriors classroom this year. His mild, yet confident manner immediately earned the students’ trust and admiration. He quickly became instrumental in using the SESI language and level system to provide our students consistency during the day. One of his teaching strengths is in science and more specifically his STEM lessons. His students love and thrive with the hands-on experience and [...]
Ms. Dirzius’s Support During This Unsteady Time
Ms. Dirzius has been a constant emotional and educational support over the past month to both staff and students. She entered the remote learning environment with energy, enthusiasm and an immediate focus on problem solving. She has actively been involved in all levels of this new educational process: gathering materials, participating in synchronous learning events, assisting with technology issues, creating new documentation systems and mailing asynchronous packets. Our [...]
Happy birthday Santi!
We are wishing you a happy birthday, Santi! We hope you have a special day! Learn more about our school today.
Tips for maintaining structure in the home
How can families support children who are home for an extended period of time? Download Resources Now 11 Tips For Families Institute a regular schedule Monday-Friday with an agreed-on wakeup time and designated hours for instructional time (e.g., work sent home, online modules suggested by the school, reading books, etc.). First 30 minutes: Complete silent reading (could be a chapter book, iReady, assignment sent [...]
Tina Shows Passion and Innovation
Although Tina has only been with Sierra for a short time, she has seamlessly stepped into her role as a teacher. She is always smiling and shows joy in her teaching. Over the last month, she has transitioned her class to the new norm of virtual school. She is creative, engaging and always finding ways to give her students the same passion, care and opportunities to learn, that [...]
March Student of the Month – Ethan
What has this student done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Ethan shows respect to others, works really hard even at the subjects he doesn't quite understand and has shown empathy towards staff and students. Provide feedback from a teacher or staff member on why this student is Student of the Month "Ethan is hard-working, enormously respectful, and a role model to his peers." [...]
February Student of the Month – Patrick
What has this student done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Before Patrick came to our program he was doing half days without any demands. He started our program mid January on full days and was immediately frustrated when he was on red. As a kid who thrives in a positively reinforced environment it was not long before Patrick got accustomed to our level [...]
March Staff of the Month – Ms. Charmaine
What impact has this staff had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Charmaine stepped right into her role as a TA, acting as a leader by assisting staff with learning our computer systems, coordinating more efficient transportation routes, and filling in as an ongoing sub when desperately needed. Ms. Charmaine is highly regarded and respected by students, and often sought out as a preferred staff [...]
Thank You, Mr. R!
This month, we're shining the spotlight on Mr. R! We are so proud of him and all he has done this school year. Mr. R goes out of his way to help students and staff when needed. All of our students love taking VTO’s with Mr. R and his colleagues are impressed by his hard work and dedication each and every day. Learn more about our school [...]
Frida’s Positive Impact
Frida has caught on to the TA position quickly. She goes beyond her duties frequently. Frida has made a positive impact on her students and is an asset to her peers. Frida volunteers to help out in any way possible in and outside of the classroom. She translates for our Spanish speaking parents in all of our classrooms and is always in good spirits! Frida has shown to be [...]
Ms. Dee Sparks Joy
Ms. Darienne Martin-Baker, lovingly referred to as “Ms. Dee” by staff and students, sparks joy. As a High School Assistant Teacher, she’s an all-time favorite for VTO’s, frequently full of infectious energy, and honestly great hugs. She’s a bit like a school mascot here at Sierra School at Barrett in a uniform of overalls and Birkenstocks. When we asked students, “What makes Ms.Dee great?” Most said she’s welcoming, friendly, [...]
Ms. Denise Is A Natural Leader
Denise has encouraged and supported staff. Denise is a go-to when navigating complicated student scenarios. Denise models healthy boundaries for staff and students. Denise is the first to volunteer when help is needed. Staff always look for Ms. Denise for guidance and support. She always is there with a smile on her face no matter the situation. We depend on her and she never lets us down. She's a [...]
Congrats Ms. Dash
Ms. Dash recently joined us for the opening of our new classroom. With a background in behavior management ranging from small children to teens, she was the perfect fit for the new classroom. She has focused on building rapport with the new students to make them feel more at home in their new environment. Her ability to recognize antecedents and deescalate situations helps our students and classroom to run [...]
Ms. Yezi Is A Team Player
Ms. Yezi has been a very key player in the classroom and outside of the classroom. The students respect her and are always seeking her out for assistance with any subject. Staff members at our program have stated that Ms. Yezi is a team player, dependable and very knowledgeable in her role. Ms. Yezi has been an all-around go-to person and can be found bouncing from being a one [...]
Mr. Wolf’s Positive Energy
Mr. Wolf has built extremely positive relationships with his students and all staff since onboarding with High Road School of Wallingford Primary/Middle. He has taken the initiative to run end of the day meetings when the director is unavailable. He always empowers students to make good choices, earn their day, and motivates them academically. Mr. Wolf has a positive energy about him that goes a long way with his [...]
Mr. Cox Is a Consistent Presence
Mr. Cox has remained a consistent presence for his 1:1 student even in times of turmoil. He has continued to utilize our schoolwide model consistently and with fidelity. Mr. Cox has shown empathy towards his student, and all students, but continues to hold them accountable for their behaviors. Mr. Cox is always willing to help students and staff within the classroom environment. He is extremely caring and always wants [...]
Ms. Lucas, Favorite Teacher
Ms. Lucas has had an extreme impact on not only the school but her students as well. She has three students transitioning back to their home schools and has another two students that are on silver and gold level. Around the building, she is a jack of all trades. She covers classrooms, holds quiet room doors, executes lesson plans, and sits in on meetings with her teacher when developing [...]
Ms. Barnes Is A Delight
Over the past month, Ms. Barnes has a school high of students on Blue Level with one of her students on Gold Level. Along with Mr. Singletary, (Instructional Assistant of the classroom) Ms. Barnes has students reading novels as a classroom as well as putting students through rigorous classwork that challenges their intellect as well as their grade level. Tough, gritty, funny, yet courteous, Ms. Barnes is a delight [...]
Tasha’s Hardwork
Tasha has been working so hard at our new IDC in Woodbridge Middle School! The staff has noticed her seamless implementation of our behavior modification system and unique rotation system. She is always working hard to help the students improve both academically and behaviorally! Tasha is a great leader in the classroom and is the first staff to help others! She has a positive and outgoing personality that radiates [...]
Thank You Mr. Bancroft
Mr. Bancroft joined the Hartford Primary team after the school year was already in full swing but appears as a staff who has been here for a long time. Mr. Bancroft is assigned to one of the elementary classrooms and can often be found taking students on their breaks and working on engaging activities with his assigned student. Mr. Bancroft has a positive and calm energy when dealing with [...]
February Student of the Month – Yanniel
What has this student done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Yanniel started at High Road School in November. Yanniel has made a great effort both academically and behaviorally. Despite having a brief set back, he bounced back with a positive attitude to get back on blue level. Yanniel has demonstrated excellent behavior in the classroom, setting an example for his peers. He attends [...]
Sharing Valentine’s with the Senior Center
At our school, students work with our social workers individually and in small group sessions. Through recreational and other activities, our social workers assist students in building self-esteem, applying social skills and practicing leadership along with team participation. Our social workers, Mrs. Conley and Mrs. Boyajian, wanted our students to spread happiness on Valentine’s Day. Students worked individually and together to create unique valentines for residents at a [...]
Lauren Goes Above And Beyond
Lauren is very dedicated to the success of our program. She encourages all staff and students to be the best they can be. We appreciate her very much! She goes above and beyond to make sure that all staff and students are safe and set up for success. Their determination and care for everyone and everything they do is admirable and contagious throughout the building. She is always there [...]
Mr. Rivera Is A Quick Learning
Mr. Rivera recently joined our team and has seamlessly become a strong, supportive member of our school family. Mr. Rivera is always willing to help his colleagues and students in any way needed. Mr. Rivera has consistently supported all of his colleagues and is often times the first person to come to a call or support a classroom when needed. Mr. Rivera works really well with the students and [...]
Mrs. Carrillo Rocks!
Mrs. Carrillo always helps out wherever she is needed. She helps to make sure that the school has an inventory of necessary items that allow our school to run smoothly. The staff chose Ms. Carrillo as staff of the month for February because she is never afraid to step away from her duties at the front desk to support staff and students alike. She wears many hats at [...]
Thank You Ms. Miranda
Ms. Miranda has a great attitude and is very polite and always willing to help out. She has quickly built a rapport with students and consistently holds them accountable. She always supports staff and can be flexible when needed. Ms. Hartwich, the classroom teacher that works with Ms. Miranda boasts, “She has been an asset to our school. She has been very flexible in doing what is asked or [...]
Ms. Booze’s Achievements
Ms. Booze has made herself available for all staff and students. She has assisted and organized the basketball team, heads the transportation department, and is an overall positive school culture representative. She is also helpful and friendly with colleagues and provides assistance to students in crisis. Ms. Booze is also developing her leadership skills by sitting in on intake meetings and interview panel providing a good description to potential [...]
Thank You Ms. Ashley
Ms. Ashley has been a great support during student check-ins, bathroom breaks, and covering classrooms. Ms. Ashley was nominated for teacher of the month because she always has a positive attitude and is quick to jump in and help. She has planned all the major events and is still able to run the front desk properly. Mrs. Ashley greets everyone who walks in our doors with a smile no [...]
What Would We Do Without Stacy?
Stacy has been a part of creating behavior intervention plans for students in the BEST Model; as well as assisting Academic teachers with creating plans for their students. She is energetic and engaging when interacting with the students and staff. She is an advocate for each student and makes a difference for students that need unique solutions. She is always willing to make changes based on their needs and [...]
Where Are They Now?
Class of 2018 graduate Jordan Greene is currently a student at Prince George's County Community College majoring in Psychology with aspirations to open his own counseling office specializing in Family Counseling. In addition to being a full-time student, Jordan also has a part-time job at Ledo's Pizza but is currently interviewing for other positions in the event planning field. When asked how High Road Academy prepared him to [...]
Ms. April Encouragement
April has done an amazing job with both staff and students. She has done a great job of encouraging and being patient with some of the more challenging students. She does holiday crafts with Legos for all of the students and staff. April was able to get the majority of the staff certified in CPR and First Aid. She was patient and clear with her directions during the training. [...]
Congratulations Bridget & Erin
Our February nominees are Bridget (Caroline Innovative Pathways Lead Teacher) and Erin (Caroline Innovative Pathways Assistant Teacher). Bridget and Erin are both new to us this year and together started a new program with flying colors. They are both highly driven to a standard of excellence in the classroom. They completely revamped the room and created a warm learning environment, not only in the physical sense but through true [...]
Mr. Shroyer Is Our Team Leader
Mr. Shroyer has done an excellent job in his new role as Team Leader and we are proud to name him Staff of the Month! He is constantly working diligently to educate himself in his areas of improvement while continuing to thrive in behavioral intervention with our students. Staff and students rely heavily on him throughout the day. Mr. Shroyer is always there to support anyone in our [...]
Mr. Landry’s Positive Attitude
Kyle joined us in the Fall of this year, entering the Special Education field for the first time since completing his BA in Psychology. He has a strong commitment to youth with special needs, having been involved in adaptive karate locally. He quickly has become an integral part of the BEST Academy community. He is willing to work with any student, building strong connections with even the most complex [...]
Sean’s New Found Courage
Our character trait for January & February is courage. Sean has shown great courage these last two months by doing things that were difficult for him in the past. Sean struggled with going off-campus when he first started at Sierra Academy. He would refuse to get in the school van to go anywhere. In the last two months, Sean has gone off-campus for a field trip to the zoo, [...]
Manny’s Accomplishments
Manny has been able to stay true to himself since he stepped foot into our school. He gets along with everyone no matter what grade or age. Manny works really hard inside of the classroom to stay focused on his academics. He has no problem being a leader to some of his younger peers. Manny really has a great spirit and seems to really enjoy being at school each [...]
Kiara Is A Pleasure To Have At School
Kiara joined us here at the High School a year and a half ago. Kiara is a hard-working student that has been able to strengthen her language skills and level of independence while in the Fifth Year Transition Program. Kiara is a pleasure to have in the program! “At job sites, Kiara works hard and always does her best to stay on task. She accepts redirections well and is [...]
Happy 100 days on Blue to Ethan
Happy 100 days on Blue to Ethan! Ethan is our classroom historian and root beer connoisseur. He has worked hard this school year to use his coping skills appropriately and communicate with staff his academic or behavioral needs. Congratulations Ethan, we are so proud of you, keep up the great work! Ethan enjoys reading in his free time and on Thursday’s joins lunchtime book club! Ethan also loves to [...]
February Student of the Month: Jaiden
Jaiden was chosen for student of the month due to his academic and behavioral resiliency. Jaiden has been a model student in his time at High Road. While he has had ups and downs on his path he has persevered through the rough times and has always quickly ascended back to high behavior level. He is an important part of the High Road School of Wallingford High School [...]
Erin Is A Pleasure to Work with
Prior to the school closing, Erin had a great routine set for her students. She ran the ACI academic rotation model with impressive abilities to adjust as needed for behaviors, changes and anything else that came up. She supported her TA to take on new responsibilities, and empowered her to be confident in her TA instruction. Erin is great to work with. She always gives input for other [...]
Gage’s Hard Work
Gage has maintained a level of Blue for this month! This is the first time he has been on our Blue Level. Gage has worked very hard to get to his level. He is now able to let the teacher know when he is feeling dis-regulated and will ask for a break. Before Gage came to Sierra School, his school day was 45 minutes long at most. Today Gage [...]
Misael’s Determination
Misael, a sixth-grader at Sierra School at Barrett, is very close to reaching his goal of going on a school field trip to indoor skydive. Misael is adept at understanding the nature of our program and the expectations asked of him, and he’s committed himself to success. According to all three of his teachers, he’s transformed since the first day they met him. Throughout this year, Mr.R says, “He’s [...]
Anthony’s Achievements
Anthony has shown many achievements throughout his school years with Sierra School. Anthony is very helpful throughout the school and he enjoys giving a helping hand to staff with projects around the school. Anthony does an amazing job with his work projects and is graduating this year! Learn more about our school today.
Radien Is Up For A (Uno) Challenge
The student of the month goes to Raiden!!! He is a 6th grader who started with us in December. Radien has remained on level since starting and is day 37 blue and is on track to celebrating day 50! Raiden is also our current UNO champ in the classroom, ready to take on anyone who dares to challenge him! He has a wonderful personality, always come to school ready [...]
Daquan Is Making Strides
This month at KAP we want to give a special shout out to a long-term student DaQuan W. He has shown an amazing transformation this school year. DaQuan has recently brought up his grades and moved up two levels on the behavior management system in six days. Daquan has been going above and beyond and even earning bonus points for being helpful and avoiding crisis! We are so proud [...]
Congrats Ronde
Ronde has shown an improvement in his grades and just participating in the classroom. He seems to be more enthusiastic about just being at school and in the classroom in general. He really responds to incentives no matter if they are big or small. The staff also has noticed that positive praise goes a long way also and helps him to feel confident. He's accomplished making it to green [...]
Zeke Is A Leader
Ezekiel Rose (Zeke) has been a High Road School of York student since last March. Throughout his time with us, Zeke has worked extremely hard and has earned our highest rank of Norseman. His favorite sport is football and he roots for the Baltimore Ravens. His favorite food is pizza....with bacon. Zeke's favorite subject is Math and his favorite teacher is Miss Danielle. Zeke said that he has learned [...]
Marilyn Is A Role Model
Marilyn was selected for student of the month for her role model behavior, efforts towards her academics, and overall growth since beginning at High Road School of Wallingford Primary/Middle. “Marylin has been a pleasure to work with. She tries extremely hard in everything she does. We are lucky to have her role modeling as a Gold student in the classroom for her fellow students. She utilizes her breaks appropriately, [...]
Marques’ Success
Marques was enrolled in High Road the week prior to Thanksgiving in 2019. Since his enrollment, Marques has NEVER dropped his level and is regarded by his teacher and Instructional assistant as one of the more mature students in his classroom. Also since his enrollment, Marques has made significant success in his "iReady" testing. Completing an outstanding 80% of his lessons and having the most time logged into the [...]
Making Great Strides With Dylan
Dylan was chosen to be a student of the month because he has made great strides in his ability to calm down during frustrating times at school. Dylan has worked hard using our calm down space and other coping mechanisms to earn zero directed time outs in January! "Dylan is really working hard at recognizing he is frustrated and taking breaks when needed!"- Miss Brandi "I worked in the [...]
Raymond’s Huge Improvements
Raymond is a fourth-grade student in Ms. Hogan’s classroom. Raymond started with us in October of 2019. Raymond has shown a huge improvement in his self-control in his short time with us. He is extremely polite and kindhearted. “Raymond is a great role model for our younger students and is always willing to help out and support in your younger classroom as a peer mentor.” — Anastasia McGlone, Operations [...]
Alex Is A Role Model
The staff was delighted to name Alexander “Alex” as Student of the month. Alex spent the beginning of this year just skating by. At one point, just before Christmas, a light turned on in his mind and he started trying his best to have self-control and focused on himself and what concerns him. Alex has changed his attitude and has become more engaged in his class/rotations and is on [...]
Dakota Is A Great Friend
Dakota has made consistent progress on his color levels, reflecting good adherence to school rules. Dakota is friendly to peers and is polite to adults in the school. He is trying very hard to work more independently on his core subjects. He has been looking forward to volunteer work at Goodwill. Dakota always checks on others with this phrase, "Are you satisfied with your care?" which gives us a [...]
Andrew’s Impressive Progress
We are all very proud of Andrew. Andrew has progressed in reading and has read an entire paragraph! He mastered single digit addition without a number line or manipulatives and is asking for harder problems! Andrew's teacher, Ms. Beirne, says he is learning to swim! He even practices his strokes during his "free swim" time (playtime). He is engaging with other students and using positive self-talk to keep himself [...]
We’re Proud of Karon
Karon was selected for the student of the month for January. Karon has worked extremely hard this school year and has maintained Blue level consistently. He has shown personal growth and resiliency in his ability to recover from setbacks and keep a positive attitude. He has also helped to spread 'positive vibes' to his classmates and teachers. "Karon’s teacher is so proud of his hard work, especially in reading! [...]
Small Problems Are No Problems
Jaden was selected for the student of the month! Jaden reached Gold level at the beginning of this month and has demonstrated personal growth, both academically and behaviorally. Jaden’s motivation to succeed is admirable and contagious. His peers are so happy for him and couldn’t wait to congratulate him on reaching Gold level! He has worked extremely hard and is constantly working on keeping a positive attitude. Jaden’s [...]
Marion’s Tremendous Improvement
Marion has improved, tremendously, behaviorally. Marion really struggled when he first enrolled at Capital and buckled down to get off of concern status. Marion is now working towards earning positive behavior awards and his spot on Student Government. Marion has completely done a 180. He is respectful, helpful, willing to take ownership of his behaviors and is doing well academically. He has done a great job turning his behavior [...]
Vanessa Goes Above And Beyond
Vanessa is a new addition to the Aurora Day School program and she has had a seamless transition. Vanessa joined the high school program and has been actively participating in our on and off-campus activities, academics, and even earned a position with the campus Coffee Cart. The team is thrilled to have Vanessa in our program. Since her arrival, Vanessa has gone above and beyond in our program. Vanessa [...]
Jumping Right In With Mr. Core
Mr. Core joined the High Road team in September and didn't hesitate to jump right in and learn. He embraced the school model and the company's CORE 4 values. Eager to learn and ask questions, acknowledge his mistakes, and investing in each students' success, Mr. Core has shown us his humility, transparency, accountability, and decisiveness! Mr. Core shows unwavering patience with each and every student, especially our youngest students. [...]
Paige’s Commitment
Paige is the Assistant Teacher to Mrs. Jenkins in Elementary 2. Paige has worked at the Center for six years. She is flexible and understands and is committed to providing a warm and loving environment for her class. Paige is a hard worker and always comes to work with a positive attitude. Even if the day is less the ideal, Paige will always keep a smile on her face. [...]
Richard Is A Delight
Richard has shown significant improvement over the current school year and especially the last month. Richard is always willing to help staff or peers if they need help. Richard has also improved learning when to ask for a break if he is feeling overwhelmed. He is now asking for a break or VTO independently whereas before a teacher or staff would suggest a break for him. Richard can now [...]
High Road School of Norwalk Renames to High Road School of Fairfield County
Change Underscores School’s Commitment to Partnering with All Districts in Fairfield County in Support of Students with Exceptionalities Feb. 18, 2020 (Norwalk, CT) — Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a premier provider of education services for K-12 students with exceptionalities, today announced High Road School of Norwalk will now be known as High Road School of Fairfield County. The renaming underscores the School’s commitment to partnering with all Fairfield [...]
Helping Brian Be The Best He Can Be
Last year, Brian struggled with following directions and being respectful to staff. He often needed frequent breaks away from class because he failed to participate or stay on task. He instigated arguments with other students and often initiated negative behaviors among peers and staff. It was very hard for him to open up and trust his teachers, but Brian had a goal. Brian wanted [...]
Student of the Month
I recall the intake day for Mr. Smith and the growl of a look he gave entering into our building. Mr. Smith appeared not to be paying attention, looking at his phone with no eye contact. Since the very first day of school though, he has done everything that we have asked him to do. Mr. Smith has five Fulton Virtual On Line Classes with an 80% or [...]
January Student of the Month
Celeste has recently joined the Pathways Program and she has been a positive and joyous addition. She is always willing to help a classmate or a teacher. Celeste is inquisitive and never hesitates to ask questions or get clarification. She has many interests and loves to learn. She has been researching the colleges that she would like to apply to someday and is very interested in pursuing Marine [...]
Students Get Real World On The Job Experience
The Pathway Program currently has four students who have been Volunteering in the Readiness Program located downstairs from the Pathways Program. These students have an opportunity to earn time to spend with three to five-year-old kids. The kids love to see the old kids down to play with them and to read to them. Some of our Pathway students are interested in going into early child-care in the future. This [...]
Quaytin’s Achievements
Quaytin was selected for the student of the month due to his progress academically and socially over the past year. He has gone from having most of his academics delivered in a separate one-to-one setting, to attending rotations in his classroom setting with peers. He has also improved his behaviors dramatically and is now on blue level of our system- the second-highest level! He was even able to attend [...]
Staff of the Month – January 2020
Ms. Felix has been chosen for January’s staff of the month. She is a strong assistant teacher with many skills and talents other than teaching. She is an amazing artist who has been commissioned to show some of her work. She is also an active member of the Reserves serving our country. Ms. Felix is patient with her students and as a strong understanding of the Catapult Learning [...]
We’re All Proud Of Eion
At the beginning of the school year Eion was in our High Road classroom full time. He has not only transitioned into one General Education class but at the start of the 3rd quarter he will be going out to his 4th class. He has been able to maintain blue level and held the title of "Wild Cat of The Week" several times throughout the month. The "wild cat" [...]
Pennies For Patients
Students in Hamden's In-District classroom are taking part in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Pennies For Patients program at Dunbar Hill Elementary School. Students are collecting spare change while learning about service, leadership, and philanthropy. A campaign assistant at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society spoke to the students at a school-wide assembly on January 21st. She explained about blood cancer and how the money the students were raising [...]
We’re All Proud Of Calencia
Calencia Jones was an exceptional student at PEAK Academy where she attended from 2017-2019. Throughout her time at PEAK Academy, staff was consistently impressed with her diligence, efficiency, and ability to get things done. Effortlessly, Calencia was able to achieve and maintain our highest student rating, Executive. Calencia assisted with running assemblies, grading papers, redirecting her peers, engaging in peer mediation/conflict resolution, and being a mentor and role model [...]
Jacorri’s Leadership
Jacorri recently transitioned from the middle school classroom, into the high school classroom. Staff was a little worried about the transition but he definitely has been successful. Jacorri has been maintaining his level since entering the high school classroom. Jacorri also completes all of his school work which has earned him passing grades for the quarter. Jacorri has become a leader of the classroom and we look forward to [...]
Snow Is Fun!
Students were excited to some snow early in December this year! The staff were excited too! Since students have been working on the skill of cooperation with each other, their teacher thought this would be a great opportunity to complete a task as a group. This task tied together many other skills the students have been working on such as planning, designing, art and measuring. First the students discussed how [...]
Jamel’s Success
Jamel was a student who lacked motivation and purpose. He would often sleep in class making it difficult to make academic progress. With a change in attitude over the past year and a half Jamel has made strides in math and reading. He has become known for his informative articles reviewing video games and movies under the pen name Melly. He has taken a leadership role in math class; [...]
Ryan’s Love of Science
Ryan F. is a 5th grade student, new to High Road Academy. Ryan has worked hard so far this school year. Ryan is a gold student who loves his teachers and peers. His favorite subject is science. He stated that he loves completing experiments with Ms. Booze. The teaching team stated that he is a joy in the classroom and is always willing to help anyone and everyone. Keep [...]
Jayden’s Path to Graduation
Jayden is a senior set to graduate with the Class of 2020. He came to High Road Academy in 2017 as a 10th-grader. The following year, Jayden participated in our Workforce Development Program (WDP), a partnership of the High Road schools with Prince George’s Community College. He completed the Customer Service and Microsoft Office 1 courses. Jayden said that the best part of the class was receiving his completion [...]
Calm, Cool and Collective Mr. Jones
Mr. Jones is the calm, cool and collective one. He has a great way of communicating with staff and students. He is the staff that can be called to verbally deescalate any student. He is considered a veteran staff and he definitely shows that he has the skills to make it for the long haul. Mr. Jones was chosen because he is the best person to talk to, [...]
David’s Huge Accomplishment
David was selected for the student of the month for January. David is currently on Gold Level Day 1, which was a huge accomplishment for him. He began at High Road School of Wallingford Primary/Middle and did not always feel success. He worked extremely hard, utilizes appropriate supports, and came to school with a positive mindset each day. He uses his coping skills, 1:1 teacher assistant, and loves movement [...]
Maleek Is A Model Student
Maleek has worked very hard to earn his way to blue level in the classroom. Maleek loves to put a smile on staff and peers face by giving them compliments. Maleek has also been working on stay on task during Math and Reading rotations by showing others how to be a good student in the classroom. Maleek is an enjoyable student who loves to smile. He is able [...]
What Would We Do Without Michael?
For the first month of 2020, our High Road Employee of the Month goes to Michael Holland. Michael is in his third year with the program and has become an integral part of each classroom he’s been a part of. He works hard to develop authentic, therapeutic relationships with the students, which has helped foster strong classroom dynamics. This month, Michael has been supremely flexible in helping train new [...]
We Are Proud Of Anthony
This month High Road at DES is super proud to nominate Anthony M. as our student of the month. Anthony is our only student that is out to general education class all day. He checks in with us in High Road in the morning, and we send him on his way with point sheet in hand. He has a steady blue streak and is currently on day twenty-seven. As [...]
No Challenge Stops Ethan
Ethan has had a terrific first half of his ninth-grade year here at CSD. The team decided he earned the spotlight this month. Between navigating his way around the building to taking on the workload of being in high school, no challenge has seemed to put a stop to his drive. I asked Ethan “what he was proud of most after his first two semesters of high school?” He [...]
Ms. Whitehead Goes Above And Beyond
Ms. Whitehead has gone above and beyond her duties and made sure that students were academically tested for annual review meetings. She has consistently been caught engaged in hands-on projects with her classes. Ms. Whitehead upholds the duties and responsibilities of her job title. Ms. Whitehead has demonstrated teamwork qualities. She has consistently provided the model of academic rotations and engagement during the academic tasks with her students. She [...]
Julia Does Not Give Up
Over the past month, Julia has demonstrated an optimistic approach to everything she does. She is kind, helpful and respectful towards staff and peers. Julia does not give up and works hard towards her goals. The teaching team stated that Julia is a phenomenal, respectful, young lady. Julia is a great student who is friendly towards her peers and volunteers to help others. When Julia comes to class, she [...]
Adam’s Smile Lights Up A Room
Adam had many sensory challenges when he joined BEST Academy. Over time, he has accessed coping mechanisms to assist with visual and auditory stimulation. His favorite activities are washing dishes, finding the water soothing, and taking walks. For his comfort, we have purchased He has taken these skills and been able to transition to a new classroom recently, readily accepting new peers, new sounds and sights. Adam has taught [...]
Amanda Is Invaluable
Amanda is always happy to assist with any need at any time, exuding confidence and kindness. She never seems hurried or concerned, making each student feel special and important. These traits were increasingly evident this month as she was more active throughout the school building as she filled in for Nurse Mike’s absence. This Fall, she accepted an additional responsibility as one of our three Qualified Professionals. This role [...]
Andrew’s Positive Attitude
Andrew Martin Dean is a Teacher’s Assistant at Aurora Day School in the SHINE High School room. He recently received his Bachelor’s Degree and his Substitute Teaching Certificate. He has a passion for working with kids and is currently assisting in our Jr. High Classroom as a Substitute Teacher. With his unwavering devotion and dependability, he provides consistency and stability for our program. Andrew is always willing to help [...]
Jacki’s Dedication
Jackie Maidon is an assistant teacher in our Middle School 1 classroom. Jacki is dedicated to the students and illustrates compassion daily. She goes out of her way to create and implement fun and creative lessons and activities. Jacki demonstrates a willingness to pitch in where help is needed. She puts time and effort into building rapport with the students and it is evident by the approach the students [...]
Dustin’s Amazing Progress
Dustin has shown amazing progress in the classroom in all areas. He displays excellent gold level behaviors throughout the entire school day. Dustin is a great leader in the classroom and very sociable towards his peers. Dustin gets along well with others and enjoys coming to school. From the teacher and the two aides in the classroom the words that best describe Dustin are respectful and kind. Dustin has [...]
We Are Incredibly Proud of Norris
Norris has worked hard to reach his goal of graduation this semester by making great choices in the classroom. His teacher Ms.Gray says, “He’s grown in understanding how to use his coping skills and has also become more social.” Norris has been an example to the rest of our elementary students through his enthusiastic commitment to graduating from Sierra School at Barrett. Norris has made an impression on our [...]
Tiffani Is Invaluable
Tiffani was chosen as staff of the month, for her willingness to help everyone on campus, her great attitude no matter what the day brings, and her incredible flexibility. She has been an asset to the team. She has built a wonderful rapport with the students in the classroom, she is an assistant for Mark Williams. Tiffani is always willing to help, and we have had her support [...]
Holanie Is Always Caring And Compassionate
Our character trait for November & December is KINDNESS. Our student of the month who shows nothing but kindness to those around her, is Holanie F. She is always wanting to help, whether it is in her high school classroom, or with anyone that can use a little help. Holanie is always caring and compassionate. She is kind to other students, the staff and any visitors that may [...]
Hezekiah Always Has A Smile On His Face
When at school, Hezekiah has participated in academic lessons by volunteering to assist the teacher with writing on the board and has been a great example to his peers of positive behavior and redirection. Hezekiah always has a smile on his face and has lately been exceptionally helpful with assisting staff and peers. He encourages his classmates to try harder, and works by example. He is most proud [...]
Helping Josiah Access His Academics
Josiah has only been with us for a month and has already had so much growth and improvement! When he first came safety and schoolwork were the two biggest concerns. His elopement behavior has drastically decreased in comparison to the last school and the beginning of the month. This has allowed him to access his academics and he is working hard to meet his current goals and exceed our [...]
Ms. Charity Is An Extraordinary Leader
Ms.Charity is a great role model for staff and students and is great in a crisis. She paves the way for others to be calm and collected when problem solving. Ms. Charity creates a structured atmosphere while still fostering creativity. Ms. Charity is an extraordinary leader who holds every student accountable and ensures they reach their highest potential. She is a source of protocol and procedure when in doubt [...]
Mr. Johnson’s Positive Outlook
Mr. Johnson shows up for work each day with a positive outlook on every situation he walks into. He has been an extremely uplifting support to his students. This has created academic and behavioral growth for his students specifically. “Mr. Johnson is always willing to help students within the classroom environment and in times of crisis. He is extremely caring and always wants the best for the students [...]
Mr. Baez Is “Very Noble”
Over the past month, Mr. Baez has been willing to help in any way needed. The students have recognized him for being fun and helpful. He is really nice and always helps me with my work. “He is really nice to all the kids and one time when I didn’t have a belt, he donated one to me. He is very noble.” – Andrew Mr. Baez has shown [...]
Ms. Brown Is A Team Player
Ms. Brown has been an effective paraprofessional in the Fifth Year Transition Classroom for two years. Ms. Brown has worked successfully with two delightful non-verbal students. She is always looking for inventive ways to make her students lives better. Ms. Brown has shown flexibility since the moment she became employed by SESI. She is willing to step outside her classroom to support other staff and students. Miss Brown [...]
How Will Avoids Negativity
Will has shown such maturity over the last few months. He is the one student that has really learned to take his weaknesses and turned them into strengths. He is open to feed back and is taking the next steps to set up for his future after High Roads. Will stays to himself inside and outside of the classroom. He doesn't get mixed up in negativity and really just [...]
December Student of the Month
Our student of the month for December is Liam! Liam has done a great job adjusting to a new classroom and making even more friends. He has risen to the challenges that come with switching classrooms such as advocating for himself as his teachers get to know him. In addition, Liam has set a goal to make it to Blue day 100. Right now, he is on day [...]
December Staff of the Month
Our staff of the month for December is Ms. Gibson! Ms. Gibson is one of our social workers and our Fun Friday coordinator. She works very hard to make sure we have awesome Fun Friday activities to look forward to every week. Our students have enjoyed a variety of activities ranging from apple picking to playing basketball and seeing movies. Her creativity and dedication to everything she does [...]
Student of the Month: Lucas
Lucas has increased his participation in virtual learning tremendously. He brings great energy and participation to the lessons. His personality brightens other students' days and encourages them to participate too. He provides support to his classmates and helps guide them in science with his impressive knowledge and love of animals. Visit our website to learn more about High Road School [...]
Where Are They Now: Lazarus
Lazarus K. was a student of High Road for three years. Last school year, he was able to transition out and start attending his home high school. When Lazarus first came to High Road, he had difficulty staying on task, monitoring his behavior, and respecting others. It wasn't until his final year at High Road where Lazarus was able to put all the pieces together and do what it [...]
Ms. Simran Is The Foundation Of Our Program
Miss Simran is an imperative part of our team. She never fails to have a smile on her face and has worked exceptionally hard to get our students included on campus. They have been able to attend assemblies, receive awards, and attend general education classes. Everyone feels so supported by Miss Simran. Her weekly staff meetings allow her staff to feel supported and integral members of the [...]
Ms. Jones’ Zest For Learning
Ms. Jones is one of a kind. Her dedication and devotion to teaching her students are impeccable! She contributes her zest for learning and knowledge to not only her students but her colleagues. Offering new teachers with support and accountability in learning the High Road Academy Model. She has been an exemplary staff by providing input during staff meetings, teacher meetings, and all-around leader. She participates as [...]
Thank You Ms. Curtis
Ms. Curtis was chosen by Mr. Daniels to be the Staff Member of the Month! Ms. Curtis is well-deserving of the award and we are so thankful for all of her tireless hard work and dedication. Ms. Curtis' students have lead the entire school in lessons passed in "iReady" percentages. She has worked tirelessly to develop personalized lesson plans, detailed IEP reports, and creative ways to get [...]
Mr. Donovan Is An Asset To Our School
Mr. Donovan has made a positive impact on his students. He always comes to work with a great attitude and a genuine love for helping his students succeed. Mr. Donovan is dedicated to his student's academic growth. He is always ready to jump in and help anyone! Mr. Donovan is an asset to our school. His positive light shines on the students and staff, making coming [...]
Mr. Lasko’s Constant Encouragement
Mr. Lasko comes to work each day with enthusiasm, and students are excited to see him every day! Mr. Lasko is a dedicated, dependable member of the classroom team, and his consistency is appreciated by his colleagues and students alike. He has built strong, positive relationships with students through his patience and constant encouragement. Mr. Lasko leads our P.E. Elective and has made a positive impact [...]
Keep Up The Good Work Ajay
The student of the month is Ajay Joyner! Ajay is always on his best behavior and always displays leadership. He's always checking on his teachers and classmates throughout the day. When working in the classroom, Ajay completes any and all assignments. Ajay always asks his teachers if there is any way he could help around the classroom. Ajay is a student who always goes above and beyond [...]
Nalani’s Progress and Achievements
Through her efforts, Nalani has elevated herself to one of the most mature young ladies in the building. She is a constant help in passing out lunch and breakfast, working with the school's admin to file papers and decorate the school, and cleans up after school events. Nalani was rewarded with Student of the Month by our director Mr. Daniels for her excellent behavior and ongoing attention [...]
Teagan’s Extra Effort
Teagan has put in the extra effort working up to both yellow and green for the first time this year. He has made academics a priority, looking to improve his behavior and work completion. Teagan advocated for himself and made a plan to work his way up. Frequently struggling in the mornings and at the end of the day, Teagan had to space his breaks to [...]
De’Andre’s Hard Work
De’Andre has been selected for December’s Student of the Month for being a helpful, well-mannered, and a hardworking student. De’Andre has been working hard on being helpful in the classroom and around campus. De’Andre is able to help by setting up the classroom in the morning and cleaning in the afternoon to help keep our classroom and campus clean. De’Andre also helps Mr. Kevin on Fridays to tear down [...]
Making Progress With Joshua
Joshua is a senior in our Upper Best Classroom. Josh has made great progress over the last month. He now raises hand and asks to go to the restroom, before Josh would have ran out of the room without asking. He has also made progress reducing maladaptive behaviors. As one of our older Upper B.E.S.T student is working hard to accomplish all of his academic and behavior [...]
Demetrius’ Tremendous Improvement
Demetrius is a Student who has maintained a POSITIVE Rating for the last 2 months. He is the HIGHEST Scorer for iReady Math in 4th Grade. Demetrius has shown TREMENDOUS improvement this year, both behaviorally and academically. WE are EXTREMELY proud of him and all that he is doing here at PATH Academy! ALL of the Teachers concur that Demetrius is by far our MOST improved student! [...]
Andrew’s Huge Accomplishment
Andrew Lopez met his exit criteria to return to his home school and has begun transitioning part time. Andrew's behavior has improved significantly and he has become a positive example and role model to his peers. Andrew Lopez is always willing to help all staff. He is highly requested when help is needed as he does such a wonderful job with anything he is asked to do! [...]
Jayden’s Contagious Sense Of Humor
Jayden has been on blue all school year. Jayden has many admirable qualities as to why we chose him. For example, he spends almost all day in his general education class, with the exception of only two hours in our High Road room. He participates in specials with his gen ed. class and decided to eat lunch with his class as well. Concerning grades, Jayden is doing [...]
Dustin’s Contributions
December’s Student of the Month is Dustin. Here in the High Road program at Snow Hill High School, Dustin has become a very big contributor in the overall success of both the program and peers themselves. Because of his success last school year, Dustin spends over 80% of his day in the general education. When he is in the High Road classroom, he helps his peers when [...]
Thomas’ Positive Presence
Thomas enrolled at HRA in September 2019, and he is currently in the 6th grade. Thomas expressed that he likes his teachers and that Art is his favorite class. He shared that he is excited to learn more challenging math concepts “so he can get better at it." Staff members describe Thomas as a “positive presence in class who always puts in extra effort when doing work.” [...]
Jayde’s Accomplishments
Jayden was selected for student of the month due to a complete turnaround in his behavior for the month of November. Jayden is currently Blue day 14 and is very motivated to apply for Gold level. He has done an awesome job helping his peers and increasing his time spent within the classroom setting to reach his goals. Jayden has typically remained on Red and Yellow within [...]
What Jeremiah Is Most Proud Of
Jeremiah joined High Road School at the beginning of the year. Since he has joined us Jeremiah has maintained Blue or Green! He is a hard worker and this month he has been seen helping other students in his class make good choices and with their academics! "Jeremiah comes to school each day with a smile on his face and ready to learn. This month especially Jeremiah [...]
AlbertDaniel’s Gold Level Achievement
Albert has been solid all the way around. He is always willing to help out with no hesitation. Albert also has a job as the cafe assistant for our coffee cart here at school. He is very dependable and great with his peers . He has really shown maturity and growth over the last month. He was chosen as student of the month because of his hard-work. [...]
Joden Always Has A Smile On His Face
If you think of a student who puts forth his best effort at all times, that student would be Joden. Joden is kind, helpful to peers, and has worked hard to maintain his color levels of blue and green. Even when tired, Joden takes his time to complete his journal and his work every day. Joden always walks in with a smile on his face and cracks [...]
Destiny’s Motivation
Destiny joined us this year after graduation from Hartford Primary School. Destiny continues to work hard at focusing on getting her work done and avoiding conflicts in the classroom. Her winning smile greets us every morning and continues through the day. One of the many reasons that Destiny was chosen as our Student of the Month is because she relentlessly works on avoiding peer conflicts and [...]
Malachi Is A Future Leader
Malachi G. is a 10th grade student who is friendly and likes to laugh and have a good time but is also serious about his class work. Malachi always works hard in class, and listens to his teachers. Mr. Mattison said that Malachi is a pleasure to work with and is a student that you can count on to be a future leader. Maliki enjoys working on [...]
Myles Takes Pride In His Work
Myles demonstrates being a courageous, fun, and loving young man. Myles is honest and respectful. He speaks up for himself and advocates or others whom he trusts. Along with the development of his personality, our student of the month takes pride in his work and educational growth. He is excited to complete and present his work when asked. He acknowledges areas, where he may be struggling and [...]
Andrew’s Successful Improvement
Andrew was chosen as student of the month for November in yellow room. He entered transition at the beginning of this school year and moved with us in the month of October. He has handled these many changes so well. This month he has attended gym with our class and for the past two weeks, he has worked at 99 Restaurant. He washes the tables and is [...]
Colin’s Ability To Stay Focused
Colin was selected due to the significant amount of progress that he has made this month. Colin made it all the way to Blue level and maintained it for a week. Colin has also met most of his graduation requirements. He is an extremely pleasant student and a hard worker. He always takes his time to think before acting. Colin completes all of his work and does [...]
Aaron has worked hard to overcome behavioral, academic, and personal barriers. He is very insightful regarding students and adults and is someone who is respectful even when he is in situations that might cause him to be angry. Overal, Aaron is caring and respectful. He is a good artist and takes Graphic Arts at Bloomington Area Vocational Center. He has a positive, winning attitude. We are excited [...]
Flavina’s Commitment to Success
Sierra School at Barrett teachers and staff are excited to name Flavina as November Student of the Month. Teachers Ms.Tegel and Ms. D are incredibly proud of the academic effort and social growth Flavina has shown in a few short months. Flavina has demonstrated a deep commitment to her personal success since August by attaining Blue Level! “She has consistently improved. We’ve seen her grow into [...]
Aniyah’s Student Government Role
During the past month Aniyah has earned a seat in Capital Academy's student government. Aniyah achieved this through consistent positive behaviors and a willingness to help those around her. Mrs. Colatta, Support Services Coordinator, says," Aniyah has come a very long way since her enrollment here at Capital. She is a positive role model both in the classroom and out, often going about and beyond to help [...]
Lyle’s New Found Skills
Lyle has shown that he is able to handle any situation. He now uses his tools to communicate his needs and to ignore loud peers. Lyle is also now able to access more academics due to his ability to control his behavior. Lyle is such as pleasure! He is able to communicate his needs and has shown less maladaptive behaviors in the past month. He also participates [...]
Counting on Ms. Couch
Over the past month, Ms. Couch has shown to be a positive, hardworking, role model to both students and staff. Ms. Couch has taken initiative in the classroom, has been willing to provide support to classrooms other than her own and does so with a smile on her face. Ms. Couch is adored by her students for a cheerful personality and always finds a way to make [...]
James’ Positivity
James is a second year Teacher at our IDC in Dorchester County High School. James was nominated by the leadership team for staff of the month. James is always the first to volunteer and his dedication to the students and developing his staff is evident. His classroom showcases the true IDC model and he has created a warm and friendly environment that is therapeutic and educational for [...]
Lorna’s Strong Bond With Students
Lorna Her Many Horses is the Certified Special Education Teacher at Aurora Day School in the SHINE High School room. Ms. Her Many Horses teaches a combination of Life Skills and Academics to our students. She makes the school day fun and exciting. They created a holiday gift shop; with all custom-made items. With the proceeds the kids will purchase Christmas gifts for family members, and they [...]
Flourishing Under Lacie’s Leadership
Lacie is a first year Teacher at Easton Elementary and has hit the ground running. Lacie has embraced the culture of High Road and her classroom runs smoothly with students engaged in fun hands on activities that promote learning. Lacie has a contagious positive attidutde that shines in the classroom. Lacie is one of the most dedicated and passionate educators I have ever met. I can’t believe [...]
Going Above and Beyond With Mr. Slappy
Here at High Roads School of Hartford, we appreciate all of our staff’s hard work and dedication. However, there is one teaching assistant who continues to go above and beyond for both staff and students. Mr. Slappy is being recognized as the staff of the Month for the entire month of November. He is known for always willing to help anywhere he can, as well as building [...]
Ms. Downie’s Dedication
Ms. Downie has worked as an Assistant Teacher in our 8th grade classroom since July 2019. She was recently promoted to the lead 8th grade teacher. Ms. Downie appreciates the personal and professional growth and learning opportunities at the school. Colleagues describe Ms. Downie as a “caring, dedicated teacher who is always trying to do the best for her students. Ms. Downie is a great asset to [...]
Transportation Coordinator – Mr. Jeff
Mr.Jeff has a huge role, making sure all of the students get to and from school safely. He has such a tremendous impact on students, staff, and the management team His attention to detail and willingness to help shows what a great employee he is. Jeff is an amazing co-worker and is always there for everyone. Sierra School director Jenelle Droke says, "Jeff juggles all of the [...]
Mr. Ortiz Is a Natural
Mr. Ortiz has been an asset to the Transition Classroom with his many talents. He helps our Spanish speaking students navigate community outings as well their academics. His common sense approach to problem-solving and calm demeanor puts our students at ease. The staff chose new team member Mr. Ortiz because from his first day on campus he was part of the Hartford Team. Mr. Ortiz handles difficult [...]
Putting Students First With Ms. Aubin
Ms. Aubin always puts the students first and ensures that the environment at school and in the classrooms is safe and educational for the students to be successful. She helps give ideas to best benefit the kids and their progress. She is compassionate, caring, and presents a calm and positive demeanor to help students in difficult situations. Ms. Aubin does her best to support the students and [...]
Ms. Jones’ Dedication and Devotion
Ms. Jones is one of a kind. Her dedication and devotion to teaching her students are impeccable! She contributes her zest for learning and knowledge to not only her students but her colleagues. Offering new teachers with support and accountability in learning the High Road Academy Model. She has been an exemplary staff by providing input during staff meetings, teacher meetings, and all-around leader. She participates as [...]
Kyli’s Impacted On Our Students
Kyli is a dynamic, creative and energetic staff member. She assists students gain coping mechanisms for times of difficulty, allowing them to increase their confidence and independence. She orchestrates Social Skills, creating environments in which friendships can grow. She provides professional developments for our staff, so all members of the team can expand their knowledge base and more competently educate our very unique students. She is also [...]
Joseph’s A Positive Role Model
Joseph was selected for student of the month because he is consistently a positive role model for his peers. He handles almost all situations he faces with a calm demeanor and positive attitude. He is supportive of his peers and encourages them to try their best. Joseph always has a smile on his face and a positive attitude about school. “Joseph tries his best on all of his [...]
Steven’s Great Improvement
Steven comes to class every day with a desire to learn. He is dedicated to being the best version of himself, and puts a great amount of effort into everything he does. Steven is able to always maintain his composure throughout any situations and completes his class work at the highest quality and far exceeds expectations. Steven is supportive and collaborative with her peer which makes him a [...]
Shaq’s Impact On Our Students
Shaq has had a tremendous impact on the students here at High Road. He makes all students feel comfortable and welcome. He inspires his students to be their best selves. We selected Shaq because of his dedication to making all of today's youth reach their goals. When he's not working with students here at High Road, he is mentoring youth in his neighborhood and coaching a youth [...]
Kedrick’s Determination
The staff voted overwhelmingly for Kedrick as student of the month. We as staff have seen a maturity start to evolve. Kedrick has been determined recently to move up his color level and has been more attentive to his rotations. “Kedrick is always willing to help staff with extra projects around the building. His winning smile makes the work look effortless and it is enjoyable to do tasks [...]
Mrs. Harvey Is Always Willing To Help
Mrs. Harvey is a Reading Interventionist and provides reading support to HRA’s students who have particular difficulties with reading comprehension. Mrs. Harvey has been a member of the High Road family since September 2017, when she joined as an Assistant Teacher. In January 2019, Mrs. Harvey transitioned into the reading support role. “I like to be able to work one on one with a student and really get through [...]
Avery’s Goals In Life
Avery enrolled at HRA in March 2017, and she is currently in the 8th grade. Avery expressed that she likes the teachers at High Road, and especially enjoys reading instruction with Ms. Downie. “She is the best teacher because she is kind, jokes around, and understands my sarcasm,” Avery said of Ms. Downie. Staff members applaud Avery for her “hard work, cooperation, respect and her helpfulness with other students.” [...]
Azreal’s All Knowing Smile
Azreal has boundless energy and exhibits the ability to truly enjoy and appreciate our students. Over the past month, she has been an amazing resource and support for new staff. She has also been increasingly engaged in classroom meetings and other professional developments, exhibiting a desire to learn, collaborate and support. Azreal has had a significant presence throughout the school community. Her laughter can be heard throughout the [...]
Noah Shares What He’s Thankful For
Noah was selected for student of the month because he is helpful, flexible, and kind to others. He is always willing to help others both students and staff. He is involved with class activities like morning meetings, music, and related services with peers. He is flexible about conflicts that happen throughout the day. For example, if another student needs a TO room and he is having a break in [...]
What Would Sierra Do Without Ms. B?
Theresa Blazon is our Administrative Assistant at Sierra School at Barrett. Ms.B plays an important role in making sure Sierra School at Barrett functions successfully on a daily basis. Our Director Ms. Harris says, “She is a vital team member in assisting me to keep our campus operating smoothly in many capacities from student attendance to budgets to food services. Theresa always has a positive attitude [...]
Lisa’s Positivity
Lisa Myers positively impacts everyone around her. She supports Capital Academy's students, families and staff. This month she took on the additional responsibility of preparing our Thanksgiving meal for 100 people! Since joining the Capital Academy team last school year, Lisa has raised the bar on student care! Her positive attitude and geniuses engages everyone around her. She brings a depth of knowledge in counseling and [...]
Shoutout to Deb VanHoose
Deb VanHoose is an essential asset to our Upper B.E.S.T. classroom. She has created incredible working relationships with both staff and students. Deb is frequently found leading creative and engaging lessons with her students. She brings an upbeat and positive attitude to the work environment and can always be counted on for a great joke. Deb was chosen as staff member of the month because of her [...]
Liz’s Positive Impact
Liz has shown a to make a positive impact on all of the students at Sierra School. She shows patience and understanding when working with students. Liz also shows that she is able to implement the tools that she's learned throughout her day. Liz volunteers to move into other classrooms when needed and has a great attitude! She is always fun to be around and the students [...]
Student of the Month Program
Here at Plainfield Pathways we understand the importance of teamwork to help students reach their goals. Our Student of the Month program is meant to promote success in and out of the classroom. The student chosen will have shown excellence and perseverance in the classroom and will be celebrated with a special lunch with the staff of their choice! Some keys areas we will look at each month [...]
Meet our Staff: Haylie Fuhrmann
Haylie Fuhrmann: I am a licensed School Social Worker (071), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for the state of Connecticut, and a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker for the state of Massachusetts. I have spent the past twenty years working in the clinical field of social worker in the state of Massachusetts. I have spent most of my career specializing in areas of child protection, trauma, attachment, [...]
PATH Partners Holiday Breakfast
This event was hosted in honor, recognition, and appreciation for ALL of those who are in Partnerships with PATH Academy (Our Parents, Bus Drivers, Counselors, Instructional Coaches, Teacher Itinerants, Clerical Staff, MDCPS District Liaisons, etc.)
Isaiah’s Improvements
Isaiah has been working to improve his communication and is reaching out to communicate more effectively with his classmates and staff. Isaiah has always been a kind and friendly classmate, but he began taking the initiative to interact with his classmates on his own throughout December. Isaiah has improved in all academic areas and is able to more effectively communicate questions he has about the world around him. His [...]
Blowing Away The Competition
Branden has blown away the rest of his peers when it comes to his i-Ready results. Branden leads the school not only in login time, but also in lessons passed. Every day, Branden does not have to be reminded to get on his i-Ready and is usually the first one on the computer. Since the beginning of the school year, Branden has improved two grade levels in [...]
Student Highlight – Makala A
Makala Allen is a 10th grade student at High Road Upper School and is currently enrolled in the Prince George’s Community College’s Workforce Development Program’s 15 hour Childcare Teacher’s Aide certification program. “I want to take childcare class because I like children and I enjoy watching children. I also want to learn to have patience. Children are very hard to deal with but I want to learn [...]
Student Success – Emanuel C.
Emanuel will be graduating in June 2020 from High Road Upper School. Emmanuel is interested in working with children when he graduates and is well on his way to following his dream after completing the childcare phase of the childcare Teacher’s aide certification program at Prince George’s Community College’s workforce development program. Next up for Emmanuel? The communication phase of the course and then an internship opportunity [...]
Student Success – Jenyous B.
Jenyous Blair is a responsible, respectful, organized, and charismatic student. Jenyous has worked hard in the classroom. He encourages students to complete their assignments as well as being a helping hand. Jenyous has a school job where he must clean and restock the beverage station. Keep up the good work! Visit our website to learn more about High Road Academy [...]
Where Are They Now? Shayn Brown
Last year on June 15, 2019, Shayn Brown graduated from High Road Academy at PG Community College. While enrolled at High Road Academy, Shayn exemplified being a role model, showing manners, and being a great student. Shayn stated on graduation that he wanted to become a licensed cosmetologist. Next spring, Shayn will be attending Montgomery College to receive his license. Currently, he is trying to volunteer by [...]
Mrs. Rosy, An Irreplaceable Team Member
Mrs. Rosy, as the students call her, has been an imperative part of our team since the Livermore sites first opened. She services both our Elementary and High School campuses and is crucial to the success of students at both. At the Elementary campus her focus is primarily on deescalation tactics, socializing skills and world readiness. At the High School, students benefit from her social and group [...]
Leticia Encouragement
Leticia is a great team member and can always be counted on to do whatever it takes to help the students. She provides a consistent and encouraging support that enables her students to grow. Her hard work, attendance, and going above and beyond attitude is why she is our Staff of the Month. Visit our website to learn more about Sierra School [...]
Kiara’s Constant Positivity
Kiara's constant positivity serves as a model for her peers. Everything she does is for the Sierra students. She always makes sure that her students are well served and that their needs come first. Kiara Lloyd, K-4 Oasis teacher, recently completed her graduate degree from Grand Canyon University, earning a Master’s in Education with an emphasis in special education. In addition to her role as classroom teacher, [...]
Janelle’s Reliability
Janelle is a reliable staff member who always jumps in to help. She is always willing to provide support wherever she is needed, often times substituting as a transportation driver at the last minute. She works with our BEST model elementary students and does a wonderful job, helping them develop foundational skills. She is so kind, and very caring to each of the students. Janelle was selected [...]
Jaxen’s Achievements
Our character trait for the month of October was respect. Jaxen exemplifies this trait in all settings of his school day. He is polite, and always using his manners with students and staff. He was also one of two students who made all his iReady minutes, plus got 100% on the lessons. Jaxen was chose as student of the month because he always works hard and does [...]
Ms. B’s Heart of Gold
Ms. Blanca is technically our Transportation Coordinator, but also acts as our Floating TA and often times our unofficial behavioral specialist. Ms. B has a great rapport with our students, and always goes above and beyond her call of duty to assist staff and students alike. Blanca has a heart of compassionate gold, and it shows in mindful interactions with our students whether she's helping them utilize [...]
DeAndre, Campus Helper
DeAndre is being recognized as our student of the month for his consistent positive behaviors and ability to redirect over the past few weeks. DeAndre proactively offers to help beautify our campus and classrooms by sweeping, vacuuming, and throwing away garbage when he sees the need. DeAndre has been an emotional support to his peers, offering positive advice when he notices them being triggered by others. DeAndre [...]
Ms. Jackson Steps Up
During the month of October Ms. Jackson stepped up in leading the classroom while the classroom teacher was on leave. She did a great job of taking over the planning of activities, leading the classroom and keeping their routine going strong. Ms. Jackson is known around campus as always being calm, cool and collected. She is reliable and always willing to help out with extra jobs on [...]
Atiya Uses Her Coping Skills
Atiya Cook is a blue level student who demonstrates role model and leadership qualities to her peers and staff. Initially, Atiya came to High Road Upper School unmotivated and unable to control her frustration with being in school. Within a short period of time, Atiya redirected her focus to a bigger goal. Daily use of her preferred coping skills has allowed her to be a successful student, and a [...]
Getting on the Right Track with Brandi
Brandi has stepped into the teacher in training role and has taken off! She has implemented new systems and really has the classroom on the right track. Other staff members voted Brandi as Staff of the Month because she is always the first to help in the classrooms, take kids on breaks, and is a vital member of our team. "Brandi has really shown her passion for [...]
Akiva’s Goal of Transitioning Back to School
Akiva has worked very hard in October to achieve all Blue level days! He has been working to transition back to his home school! He is very proud of his level which is now 42 days on blue level. He is also proud that he achieved his goal to transition back to his home school. "Akiva is a hard worker, gives insightful comments in group discussion, and [...]
Mr. Smith’s Encouragement
Mr. Smith encourages his students to always give their best effort. He makes each one feel they can always achieve. He goes over and beyond his job duties as teacher. During the month of October alone, his students not only learned math, they made homemade ice cream, carved jack-o-lanterns and built a life-size scarecrow. Mr. Smith is one of the most loyal and dependable staff members at [...]
Mrs. Amy Puts Students First
Mrs. Amy was nominated by her colleagues because she is always positive. She is great at training new staff and quick to give a helping hand. She has been doing great at getting the new students acclimated to their new environment. Even on the tough days Mrs. Amy is always greeting with a smile. "You make others happy by rendering everyone's happiness. Thank you for all [...]
Jerome’s Success
Jerome was nominated after improving his behavior and earning his way back to blue level. We are all so proud of him for maintaining outstanding behavior. He has turned his behavior around tremendously by being respectful to staff and his classmates. "It feels very great to be on level, and I am doing great. I used to be bad, but now I am doing good. I get [...]
Brittany’s Positivity
Brittany is an enthusiastic and extremely positive member of the B.E.S.T. classroom. She helps keep everyone on schedule and is always able to see the best in people. Both staff and students enjoy working with her. She shows a great dedication to the High Road School of Cecil County program. She is a very hard working individual. Brittany is a very invested and friendly staff member. [...]
Counting on AJ
AJ has been the epitome of progress since he has started here at the High Road School of Cecil County. AJ is a very friendly, affectionate young man who is a pleasure to be around. He comes to school each and every day with a positive attitude that is very contagious throughout our school building. AJ is a pleasure to be around. He has made great strides [...]
Making Noah Comfortable in a New Setting
Noah came to the High Road program very hesitant of what exactly to expect of us and our expectations for him. Like many students’ it was a rocky start. Noah was quite anxious as well as hesitant due to the circumstances of a new routine. Over the past month Noah has also had quite a few rough days from outside life affecting his everyday focus. With a [...]
Going Above and Beyond with Jeremy
Jeremy Franklin is joining us for his second year here at High Road Lower School as our Transition Coordinator. During the month of October, Jeremy went above and beyond working to help our students and staff. Jeremy dropped everything to step in at the last minute and lead our Fall Flag Football game for students. He also works hard every day to support each and every classroom [...]
Extremely Proud of Ms. Fuentes
Ms. Fuentes has worked as our Administrative Assistant since March 2018. She is a reliable and dedicated staff member with a tremendous amount of compassion for others. Ms. Fuentes’ tireless efforts ensure the school program operates smoothly and efficiently. She was chosen for Staff of the Month because she is a person that all of the staff and students can depend on. She has no problem helping [...]
What Would We Do Without Mr. Noriega?
We are very fortunate to have a number of veteran staff who fulfill many roles with grace, calm and kindness, focusing solely on the best interest of the students, not seeking accolades or comfort for themselves. Their skills and experience lend themselves to be able to support with a wide variety of students as well as coordinate activities that benefit the school-wide community. Mr. Noriega is always [...]
November Student of the Month – Jayden
What has this student done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Jayden has been coming to school every day, and turned into a role model in his class, by focusing on himself, and putting in effort into his learning. He is motivated by our level system and is currently working towards Gold. Provide feedback from a teacher or staff member on why this student [...]
Capital Academy Welcomes Mr. Parker
A message from Mr. Parker: Hello My name is Stephan Parker I am the High School Team Lead at Capital Academy. I have been apart of SESI Schools for going on 6 years with 4 of them being at Goodridge Academy in York, Pa in both the teaching and Climate Manager roles. I studied Biology at the University of West Virginia and International Studies and Education [...]
Hapeville goes to College
On November 8, 2019, FCS PEAK Academies Hapeville campus took our annual Atlanta University Center(AUC) college tour, along with thirteen of our positive students. Each year, our students look forward to visiting the campuses of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College to gain the knowledge and exposure to college and “campus life”. While on this years tour, students were given the opportunity to speak with students [...]
Tanisha’s Resiliency
Tanisha has demonstrated tremendous resiliency as she continues to excel in her academic studies this month. She has been going through some difficult and trying times at home, however, this has not affected her academic performance. She has exhibited excellent behavior as well. Tanisha has acted as a role model to her peers as she has maintained her Gold Level status. As staff has watched her continue [...]
1st Quarter Awards
High Road School of Wallingford Primary/Middle is proud to announce our 1st quarter Award Recipients. The awards that our students are eligible to earn are High Honors, which students can earn for maintain an A- average in all subjects. Honor Roll includes a B- average or better in all subject areas. Students are also eligible for Perfect Attendance awards and academic awards centered around our i-Ready program for [...]
Reducing Negative Behavior With Gerald
This October our Elementary student of the month is Gerald Wilson-Branch. Gerald is a very hard-working 4th grade student in Ms. Kavney’s class here at High Road Lower School. This month Gerald has displayed model Blue level behavior. He is always willing to answer questions in class, he finishes his assignments on time and he works diligently to make the best grades possible. Gerald also volunteers [...]
Aubrey Finds Her Way
What has Aubrey accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Aubrey enrolled at HRA in September 2017, and she is currently in the 8th grade. Aubrey expressed that she enjoys working with her teachers to get better, and she “wants to do a good job with (her) homework.” Her favorite subjects in school are math, reading and science. Aubrey shared that at [...]
Catapult Learning Schools Group Changes Name to Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI)
Catapult Learning Schools Group Changes Name to Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) Name Provides Clarity While Continuing to Provide Outcomes-Driven Services for Children and their Families November 18, 2019, (Camden, NJ) – Catapult Learning, a leading provider of special education, instructional intervention, behavioral health and professional development solutions, today announced its Schools Group division is changing its name to Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI). The Catapult Learning Schools Group [...]
Student Success Story – Transitions
Over here in the High Road classroom at North Caroline High School, one of our students officially graduated out of the High Road classroom. Kennra joined the High Road classroom full-time at the beginning of 9th grade. Following Kennara's progress during her first semester with us, Kennara began integrating into the general education setting at the start of the 2018 Spring semester. With continued behavioral progress, [...]
Hard Work is Paying Off
Amir is a sixth grader at Margaret Brent Middle School. Over the course of a few weeks he has made some big changes. Amir has has improved in multiple ways such as his work ethic, his hand writing, his behavior and staying on task. As staff we all encourage him to keep growing and giving him constant reminders of the growth that he has already presented [...]
Yaziel’s Activities
Yaziel Ramos was selected as B.E.S.T. Academy’s October Student of the Month. Yaziel has been very involved in many activities in the school. He enjoys working with our PT in the motor-sensory room and has been increasing his ability to socialize and extend his physical activities. Yaziel has "risen to the occasion" when presented with tasks, accordingly to Amy Farmer, Education Director. Yaziel has been able to [...]
Mr. Ryan Is A Positive Role Model
Mr. Ryan is a great asset to our program and is a positive male role model for all of our students. The boys in our elementary room respect him and look up to him for support and guidance. He holds the students accountable but also quickly forms positive relationships with all of our students. Our staff selected Mr. Ryan for the staff of the month because he is a solid [...]
1st Quarter Success
The first quarter is coming to an end here at North Dorchester Middle and it has been a phenomenal start. We had one student that has transitioned completely out into general education. We also have another student that has transitioned out for the first half of the day. The other students are working very hard and doing a tremendous job completing their assignments. They are all maintaining an A, [...]
Student Success Story
E'monte is our only 4th grade student at the High Road at Easton Elementary. E'monte had to choose a hero that has made a difference to him, research, do a poster and present in front of a group. Walt Disney was E'monte's hero. His presentation was flawless! He shared facts on Walt Disney's childhood, struggles, education, achievements, and road to success. Emonte presented in the media center where there [...]
Staff Spotlight-Ms. Jennie Serra
Jennie Serra, Special Education Teacher and Program Coordinator, joined the High Road School of Wallingford Campus team in 2017. Ms. Serra worked as a teacher assistant in the Primary/Middle school before taking over her own classroom in the High School. Most recently, Ms. Serra was excited to begin her new position as Program Coordinator for an in-district collaborative classroom and to have the unique opportunity to work in unison [...]
Halloween Candy Treats
The students of PATH Academy received Halloween Treats today during our afternoon Assembly.
Student of the Month: Kaden
Kaden has been chosen as student of the month for Sierra School of Thompson. Kaden has shown tremendous growth from the program since his first day of school. Kaden advocates for his needs and is very respectful. Kaden loves to help his Teacher organize the classroom. Visit our website to learn more about Sierra School
Staff of the Month: Jennifer
Sierra School of Thompson selected Jennifer Ireland to be staff of the month. Jennifer is always willing to lend a helping hand . She goes above and beyond everyday she walks in our doors. Jennifer attends to the children's needs and is always open for students VTO's.
Costume Contest & Raffle
This year for Halloween at High Road there was a costume contest and a raffle. Throughout the month of September students on level were able to purchase tickets to have a chance at winning Halloween themed prizes. Matthew from Academic Transition and Jericho from Academic Middle School were the winners of the raffle! Some of the winners of the costume contest are posted below. [...]
Student of the Month: Alan
What has Alan accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Alan has been a great role model to his peers within our classroom. He is very helpful to his peers and to the staff. Alan enjoys interacting/joking with his friends at school. He often talks about and plays sports such as football and basketball. Alan is very creative; he shows his creativity [...]
Student of the Month: Logan
What has Logan accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Logan has exemplified a Nova Student for his kindness, dedication to academics, and ability to regulate and stay focused in class. October 26th marked one official year on Gold Level for Logan. He is an incredible member of our classroom and a model student for others. Logan always gives his best effort [...]
Staff of the Month: Mr. Pittman
What impact has Mr. Pittman had on colleagues and students over the past month? Mr. Pittman comes to work each day with a smile and a positive attitude. His encouraging, compassionate, and helpful demeanor have led multiple students to succeed. He is always looking on the bright side and encourages the students to do the same. He has built an amazing rapport with his students. “Mr. [...]
Student of the Month: Jacob
What has Jacob accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Jacob was selected for student of the month for September. Jacob is currently on Gold Day 92, which was a huge accomplishment for him. He began at High Road School of Wallingford Primary/Middle and did not always feel success. He worked extremely hard, utilizes appropriate supports, and came to school with a [...]
Student of the Month: Jeremiah
What has Jeremiah accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Jeremiah has earned and maintained his status in the level system all the way to GOLD. He has been on gold level for a couple of weeks and has been a constant example for his peers. Jeremiah has stayed out of trouble around him and has been a stellar student in the [...]
Staff of the Month: Dante
What impact has Dante had on colleagues and students over the past month? Dante has been apart of our building for over two years. This past month Dante has really pushed himself by teaching two subjects and taking on a special! Dante is also the football coach. Dante is the type of staff member that people want to work with. He is always there to support [...]
Staff of the Month: Ms. Barnes
What impact has Ms. Barnes had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Barnes has been an amazing asset to not only the staff and administration, but she has had a big impact on the students in the building. Ms. Barnes does so many activities with the students that are on level. For example, they have customized t-shirts, hung decorations around the building, created [...]
Student of the Month: Mat
What has Mat accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Mat has really come out of his shell this month! He has maintained blue consistently through-out the month. "Mat is always helpful and respectful in class. He has really tried to be courteous, and on task every day this month!" -Mr. KC, Middle School teacher What is something Mat has accomplished so [...]
Staff of the Month: Mr. Catanzaro
What impact has Mr. Catanzaro had on colleagues and students over the past month? Mr. Catanzaro always supports his colleagues and steps up to any role or responsibility needed. Mr. Catanzaro has assisted new staff with learning our model and systems. He has helped set up and run a classroom with positivity and consistency. Mr. C is calm and able to work with all of the [...]
Student of the Month: Jensy
What has Jensy accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Jensy has come a long way this year and continues to show improvement in his behavior and maturity. He is always helpful toward others and cooperative with peers and staff. Jensy has been putting in a lot of effort this year into being a positive role model for his peers. Jensy has [...]
Staff of the Month: Mr. Almedina
What impact has Mr. Edwin had on colleagues and students over the past month? Mr. Edwin Almedina was nominated for our October staff of the Month! Mr. Almedina acts as a one to one paraprofessional in our Transition Classroom where he works with students on activities of daily living, job site skills, and helping to translate for some of our English Language Learners. His colleagues nominated [...]
Student of the Month: Mariana
What has Mariana accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? The student of the month for October was none other than Mariana! Mariana recently achieved Gold level status and was our Spotlight Student last month. Staff boast that Mariana, “has been outstanding on Gold”, is “always respectful”, is a “hard worker”. In addition, Mariana has been doing a “great job helping other [...]
Student of the Month: Michael
What has Michael accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Michael moved into the Transition Classroom at the High Road School of Hartford High School this fall to add a life skills component to his education. Michael has proven to be a leader both in the classroom and at job sites. Michael always has a kind word and offers encouragement to his [...]
Staff of the Month: Ms. Hall
What impact has Ms. Hall had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Hall has worn many hats for High Roads High of Hartford High. She usually acts as a seasoned Teachers Assistant but has stepped into this position in the temporary absence of our regular administrative assistant, Mrs. Carrillo. In her time at High Road Ms. Hall has acted as a Transition Assistant, [...]
Staff and Student of the Month
What has Nathan accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Nathan has been coming into school spreading positivity every morning. He has done all his work and has improved his behavior to earn his way to green level. What is something Nathan has accomplished so far this school year that they are proud of? “I am proud of my progress and how hard [...]
Staff of the Month: Ms. Z
What impact has Ms. Z had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Z (Zenia) is an Assistant Teacher at Lockerman Middle School IDC. Ms. Z has been an integral part of the team this year. Ms. Z has shown great leadership qualities and has taken on many extra role and responsibilities this year. She has dedicated her time to working with students and [...]
Staff & Student of the Month!
What has Kayla accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? We are excited to announce that our October Student of the Month is Kayla Wooten. Even though Kayla has only been a student at High Road Frankford for a month, she has acclimated to our program flawlessly. Kayla is a role model to others, remains on task, follows directions, and is respectful. [...]
Staff of the Month: Ms. Latonya
What impact has Latonya had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Latonya Sweeney started with our program this school year. Right from the start, she demonstrated a zest for learning and positive energy. She has demonstrated a lot of our CORE 4 values at work through her work ethic and dedication to the students and overall program. She is the kind of employee [...]
Student of the Month: Ka’yla
What has Kay’la accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Kay’la has exceeded every expectation that Mr. Johnson has set in place for her. “Her passion, charismatic personality and eagerness to learn are exceptional”, Mr. Johnson proudly stated. Her ability to follow classroom rules and assist with ensuring that all students remain on task, complete assignment and are always trying their best [...]
Student of the Month. Jalynn
What has Jalynn accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? While Jalynn is new to HRA, enrolling on September 3rd, he has quickly demonstrated the qualities and characteristics worthy of the Student of the Month honor. Staff members frequently commend Jalynn’s work ethic and have stated that he is a pleasure to have in class. Jalynn is extremely respectful to peers and [...]
Staff of the Month. Ms. Jackson
What impact has Ms. Jackson had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Jackson has worked as an Assistant Teacher in our 11th-grade classroom since November 2018. Ms. Jackson has shown tremendous growth and development in her instructional skills. Ms. Jackson shared that she feels a tremendous amount of support from her colleagues. She also noted that the students display their care for her [...]
Staff of the Month: Ms. Cunningham
What impact has Ms. Cunningham had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Cunningham is very consistent, creative and passionate about teaching the students. Ms. Cunningham is a second year teacher that has shown a great capacity to accept knowledge, instruction, constructive criticism and put into practice.! Ms. Cunningham has opened the student’s imagination and created a thought that learning can be fun and [...]
Staff of the Month: Moet
What impact has Moet had on colleagues and students over the past month? Moet is a calming guide in the crazy world of IEPs and 504s. She shares information with all stakeholders and is transparent in the needs of our kids. She always puts them first without second thought but, she supports parents and teachers in offering the best they have in return. Moet allows our [...]
Student of the Month: Denetrya
What has Ms. Stanley accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Ms Stanley has been an excellent example of PEAK Academy and this program. She completes all of her work on time. Redirects her peers with dignity and respect. Interact with staff by using appropriate language and behavior. What is something Ms. Stanley has accomplished so far this school year that they [...]
Staff of the Month: Kiana
What impact has Kiana had on colleagues and students over the past month? Kianna, “Ms. Ki”, Proctor joined Capital Academy during the 2018-19 school year in the role of Elementary Teaching Assistant. Ms. Ki brought with her a depth of knowledge and experience working with children that helped her quickly build positive relationships with her students. Her outgoing, friendly and welcoming personality engages everyone she comes [...]
Student of the Month: Drakari
What has Drakari accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Since returning this school year Drakari has consistently demonstrated positive behaviors and growth. This month he has earned himself a place in Capital Academy’s Student Government. Drakari is a charismatic student who is always ready to crack a cheesy joke and make staff laugh. Known around the building for his big smile [...]
Staff of the Month: Kirk
What impact has Kirk had on colleagues and students over the past month? Kirk immediately gained a positive rapport with some our most challenging students. He is always willing to help in the various classrooms and always has a teamwork attitude. Kirk has a great relationship with parents and all the staff members. If you need a smile and some quick wit just visit Kirk's classroom! [...]
Student of the Month: Joseph
What has Joseph accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Joseph has worked very hard to earn his way to be a Gold Level student. He regularly volunteers to run daily errands for his teachers, such as; make copies, sweep the classroom, or help empty trash bins. Joseph has also been helping his peers stay on task during Math rotations by showing [...]
Student of the Month: Lauren
What has Lauren accomplished over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Lauren has been named Aurora Day School's Student of the Month. Lauren consistently displays kindness and respect to her peers and staff while juggling a full course load. Lauren has also started working an on-campus job and has been appointed as our yearbook photographer. Lauren’s staff has shared that Lauren has been [...]
October Student of the Month – Carter
What has this student done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Carter has demonstrated great success both in the classroom and out. He is a great friend to his peers and a role model in his class with his manners and behavior. Carter is always willing to lend a helping hand, and always puts in his best effort. Provide feedback from a teacher or [...]
Nova Center Fall Corn Maze
"Students, parents, and staff were able to take an afternoon to enjoy the Chatfield Farms Corn Maze. Food, fun and a chilly evening greeted all participants who came out on Friday night. Luckily, everyone made it out and no one is still caught in the maze. We believe strongly that learning and growth do not stop at our last bell. Please join us in the future for more community [...]
Nova Teamwork Initiative
"At the Nova Center, we truly believe the kindness and teamwork will lead to better outcomes for students and staff all around. “What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau Please join us in working towards teamwork, compassion, kindness throughout the school year!" Visit our website to learn more about the Nova Center Program
Nova High School Takes on Chemisty
Guided by the expertise of Ms. Whitaker and Ms. Wimpee, the Nova High School students dove head first into Chemisty. Not only did they begin working through equations, but set the groundwork to begin a hands on lab science session looking at the properties of water! Visit our website to learn more about the Nova Center Program
Student of the Month
Quimae Simpson is an 8th grade student who earned the highest rating in High Road School of York, a NORSEMAN! Quimae Simpson was the first Norseman out of our students. His behavior throughout the school year allowed him to transition to Dallastown Sr High School. Great Job Q! Best of luck for the rest of your school career, you will always be a Norsemen. Go Norsemen! [...]
Student Spotlight: Raven
What has been one of the happiest times of your life? When I went to Disneyland. What do you like to do for fun? Drawing, horseback riding, playing with animals. What has been one of the proudest moments of your life? Getting out of the group home. Passing driver's ed What is your favorite food? Hot fries and lobster tail What is your favorite subject in [...]
Staff Spotlight: Clarisse
What would you name the autobiography of your life? "My Unordinary Life" If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Play the piano. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Pay off debts for my family and extended family. When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time? Read a book. If [...]
Staff of the Month: Alexis
Sierra School has selected Alexis Dees to be staff of the month. Alexis it’s always willing to lend a helping hand she goes above and beyond for the kids at Sierra school and she’s always spreading joy and kindness. And that is why we have selected her to be the staff of the month. Visit our website to learn more about Sierra School [...]
Student of the Month: Scott
Scott was chosen for student of the month because Scott follows all directions and has not had any prompts in the past two weeks. Scott does all of his schoolwork, is polite to all students and staff, and he is a role model for other students in our school. Kathryn Dowd, School Social Worker, says "Scott greets all students and staff in the morning and throughout the day [...]
Staff of the Month: Adrianna Fredo
Adrianna has had an incredible impact on both students, staff and families here at the High Road School of Massachusetts. Adrianna shows amazing dedication to our students. She welcomes them every morning with a smile on her face and an excited demeanor which allows the students to start their day off on a positive note. Adrianna helps maintain an atmosphere of respect and appreciation here at High Road. “Since [...]
Learning About Johnny Appleseed
Students in the Hamden In-District classroom have had an exciting fall. After learning about folktales and fables, including Johnny Appleseed, the students took a trip to pick some apples themselves. This trip allowed students to make real-world connections and to practice their social skills out in the community. Visit our website to learn more about our program today
Staff of the Month: Quenitra Hughes
Nashville native and devout mother of three, Ms. Hughes has gone above and beyond to make a positive impact on the students at High Road. Ms. Hughes joined our team in the second semester of last school year and was part of the instrumental team that turned the school around. Ms. Hughes spent the summer working diligently by painting, cleaning, and moving furniture to have our [...]
Barbershop Visit
High Road School of Wallingford High School barber shop has official open and been named the Hornet’s Lounge! On October 23rd and 24th barbers Sheldon and Jayson visited from their shop “Cutting Edge” to give students free haircuts. Before opening their shop in Bridgeport, they had experience working at another school in New York similar to High Road where they would also volunteer and give haircuts. Mr. Reid, a [...]
Natural History Museum at Balboa Park
Springall’s high school classes took a field trip to the Natural History Museum at Balboa Park and learned about the different ecosystems in San Diego. Students were able to study the various animal life cycles from a small bug all the way up to a mountain lion. They also studied fossils and participated in hand on experiments at the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center such as test out electrical [...]
Staff Spotlight: Ms. Barbara
This month’s staff spotlight is highly appreciated by all! Ms. Barbara started in January of 2013 as our Administrative Assistant. She undoubtedly goes above and beyond every day. Her daily job duties are done with efficiency and efficacy. She keeps our school organized and on point. She is always willing to help out staff and students at the drop of a hat. Ms. Barbara is the friendly [...]
The TOWN Travel Agency
Students have been busy with the Travel Agency this month in The TOWN. We've visited Tahiti, Scotland, and will soon be making an appearance in Kenya before our last stop in Transylvania. Golfing, castle design and making a Nessie with dough were big hits last week! Students enjoy this weekly opportunity to socialize with peers, practice topic-related conversational skills and gain exposure to new leisure activities. [...]
Class Pets
Michelangelo and Raphael have made a great addition to our elementary program! By caring for them, it has created a sense of responsibility and an increased awareness of the needs and feelings of others. Visit our website to learn more about High Road School
Cave Paintings for Art
In Ms. Rose and Ms. Jess' art class the students are learning about cave paintings. The most notable paintings are found at the caves of Lascaux in Southern France and Altamira in Northern Spain. We had the students create their own cave paintings and explain the story about them. Visit our website to learn more about High Road School [...]
Football Training
Mr. Devin working hard training the students how to play football for the big football game on Friday! Visit our website to learn more about High Road School
Social Group Fun
Mrs. Amy’s class and Ms. Heather’s class doing group this week with Mr. Jeff. The students were determining their goals and the steps they will take to obtain those goals! Visit our website to learn more about High Road School
The High Road Report – Fall Newsletter
Download our High Road Report newsletter today Visit our website to learn more about High Road Programs at Ferguson & Frankford – IU #26
The Lion’s Post – Fall Newsletter
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Bowling for Blue (and Above)
Recently, students of High Road School of Wright City got to enjoy the afternoon at a bowling alley. Any student who was able to obtain and maintain blue or gold level had the option to join this trip. High Roads was proud to have a total of 10 students on this trip. Visit our website to learn more [...]
Staff of the Month: Abby
What impact has Abby had on colleagues and students over the past month? Abby has been an essential asset to our team over the past month. She has taken on several new roles and responsibilities this school year. Abby is an integral part of our incentive committee and has worked with her colleagues to establish a creative and reinforcing incentive calendar. Abby has also been appointed [...]
Student of the Month: Gavin
What has Gavin done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Over the past month we have been searching for a student who has shown significant growth and represented the schools core values well. I'd like to introduce to you Gavin Hamlin. He a senior at The Center for Autism and Dyslexia of Lima. Gavin has been a joy to have in class [...]
Staff of the Month: Shanti
What impact has Shanti had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Newman shows a level of compassion, care, and understanding when working with both colleagues and students. She is determined to build relationships with her colleagues and students that fosters modeling of positive interactions. Ms. Newman has made an impact on each of the students in her classroom in a positive way. She [...]
Student of the Month: James
What has James done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? James was selected for student of the month due to extremely positive behavior, academic strides, and his overall motivation to succeed at High Road School of Wallingford Primary/Middle. James reached Gold Day 1 today, which was a huge accomplishment for him. He has worked extremely hard, has been a leader amongst his [...]
Staff of the Month: Erin
What impact has Erin had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. LeCain has taken on a leadership role with both students and new staff in her class helping organize and demonstrate how to have success with the model. She is a great team player, and willing to assist anyway she can. Ms. LeCain was selected by our staff for demonstrating leadership [...]
Staff of the Month: Andre
What impact has Mr. Evans had on colleagues and students over the past month? Mr. Evans has been a one to one paraprofessional at High Road School of New London since April of 2019. In that time, he has built a positive relationship with not only his student, but all of the students in the classroom. Mr. Evans sees great potential in all students [...]
Staff of the Month: Solimar
What impact has Solimar had on colleagues and students over the past month? As a veteran staff and the Handle with Care Trainer in the building, Ms. Mercado has been an integral part of the team this school year. She assisted in training all staff in our procedures and policies during orientation and continues to train staff and be a role model with those policies and [...]
Student of the Month: Ana
What has Ana done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Ana was nominated by her classroom staff for a vote with all of the Hartford Primary staff. Ana was chosen for many reasons. Ana has had some challenges at the start of this school year and has overcome those challenges successfully and while remaining positive and able to advocate for herself. Ana [...]
Staff of the Month: Ms. Hartwich
What impact has Christine had on colleagues and students over the past month? Ms. Hartwich is new to the High Road School of Hartford High team although she began her High Road career at our Primary School in 2014. When the opportunity to teach in our Transition Classroom at the High School became available, she jumped at the offer! Why did other staff members select Christine [...]
Student of the Month: Bryan
What has Bryan done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Bryan has excelled in the last month in academics and especially on his most recent i-Ready diagnostic assessment! He has been working hard on maintaining school appropriate behaviors “Bryan is very motivated to stay on color. He knows the things that he struggles with but tries and if he can’t do it; [...]
Student of the Month: Darian
What has Darian done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Darian is a very hard-working 5th grade student in Mr. Koffi’s class here at High Road Lower School. This month Darian has displayed exemplary Blue level behavior. He is always willing to participate in class and is eager to share his answers and ideas. He does a great job of staying on [...]
Staff of the Month: Tashiemia
What impact has Tashiemia had on colleagues and students over the past month? Tashiemia demonstrates punctuality and professionalism daily. She takes excellent data collection on Catalyst and demonstrates strength in conscientiously implementing programs. Tashiemia implements targets as written by the teacher and gives thoughtful feedback on programs. In addition, she is quick to create new materials needed for a student’s program. Her data is always consistent [...]
Student of the Month: Jay
It has been such an honor to be part of Jay’s education. To watch him grow to the point where he can focus on tasks and start to truly explore his academics has been a great joy. What has Jay done over the past month to achieve Student of the Month? Jay has adjusted very well to school after the summer break. He [...]
Picture Day: 10/17
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Cash & Carry
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Springall Times: October 2019
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Student of the Month: Zander
Zander has been chosen to be student of the month! Xander has shown great improvement in his behavior and in the way that he treats others. He has overcome a lot of things not only in his school, but in his personal life as well and that is why we are proud to select him as a student of the month for Sierra School [...]
Community Bake Sale
The staff and students here at the Kent Alternative Program are working together with two community partners to give back! We will be taking a trip to our neighbors, the Worton Community Center to bake PINK goodies and treats to then sell to staff and students at the Kent County High School. The entire of proceeds from this event will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. What [...]
Staff of the Month: Ms. Perelli
Our staff of the month for September is Ms. Perelli! Ms. Perelli works with the High Road School of Wallingford as a 1:1 paraprofessional. Throughout this past month, she has been an integral part of the transition classroom where she has been a tremendous leader and encourages other staff members to do their best. She is always available to answer questions about our level system new staff [...]
Student Spotlight – Devin Ingram
Devin Ingram is a 9th grade student at High Road Upper School. He came to us from the Lower School in September and Devin has excelled as a high school student! Every morning Devin comes to school with a smile on his face, ready to joke with the first staff member he sees. Upper School staff describes Devin as “helpful,” “thoughtful,” “wise,” and “sweet” and say [...]
Trip to Watkins Nature Center
Ms. Kemp planned an awesome academic field trip for her 6th and 7th grade Science classes! The group visited the Watkins Nature Center of Prince George’s County to become more acquainted with elements of nature. The workshop students attended focused on the three rock groups, how they are created and where they come from. Students conducted experiments to help them identify the rocks by how hard or soft they [...]
The Addams Family Blue Level Trip
Students who achieve Blue Level Status (earn all of their academic and behavior points) are rewarded with a trip to the movie theater to see The Addams Family! Visit our website to learn more about High Road School
Halloween Party
Our Halloween event is an exciting time for staff, students, families, related service providers, and district representatives to come together for some spooky fun! We will be decorating pumpkins, bobbing for gummy worms, making candy apples, and more! Visit our website to learn more about High Road School
One Senior’s Adventure to Success
Crystal B. is a senior in high school, who is close to the last leg of her journey. Graduation is right around the corner and the idea of school work can be a thing of the past. From struggling with her attendance and classwork over the past few years, Crystal has come to the realization that her years of truancy affected her ability to pass her classes [...]
Making Progress
Anthony M. has been in the High Road program for three years and has made amazing improvement since he began. He has consistently increased his time in the general education classroom which is our goal as a High Road team. Currently, Anthony simply checks in with High Road staff in the morning and spends the rest of his day in gen. ed. We are proud to [...]
Jobs Jobs Jobs!
A new school year means new job opportunities both in and outside of the school for the students of High Road New London Middle/High. Ms. Shannon Chairty, the schools transition coordinator, has been working tirelessly to create applications and job postings for various school-based positions. Currently, during her weekly push-in instruction in the classrooms, Ms. Charity and students have been working together to develop [...]
Autism Speaks Walk: 10/12
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Student of the Month: September
Septembers student of the month is Sergio Gonzales. Sergio is silver level, on one of the highest behavior levels. Sergio has worked very hard to earn silver level and improve his social interaction skills and anger management. Sergio has been a student with High Road Upper for just under 3 years, and came to us with severe behaviors. Presently, Sergio completes assignments, volunteers in class, is friendly [...]
Money, Money, Money!
High Road of Hartford High runs on token economy which translates to students earning school money based on their color level for the day. This system is a way to encourage students to complete their assignments and acts as an incentive for increased positive behaviors. Teaching Assistants in each class keep track of the money earned daily as well as any money they spend on things like the school [...]
Cows, Pigs and Horses! Oh my!
We at the Hartford High Road High School pride ourselves on our amazing team of professionals! We have excellent support from Mrs. Mele, our Occupational Therapist and Mrs. Canty our Speech and Language Pathologist. Mrs. Canty works with our students both in the school setting and out in the community. She took advantage of our trip to Flamig Farm in Simsbury to work with our students in a new [...]
Learning To Be a Respectful Friend
In group today, Khrystian and Riley, learned about how the skills we have in one area of our lives, such as being respectful with our families and friends, translate into other areas of our lives, such as being respectful while playing basketball or while playing video games. Visit our website to learn more about High Road School
A Math Escape Room
Recently the High Road School at Margaret Brent Middle School had a fun filled Thursday. The students were looking forward to participating in the activities. For the morning Math rotation, the students completed a Math escape room. The students were divided into two teams for the activity. Olivia, Cody and John were on one team while Taylor and Timmy were on another team. For the activity they broke into [...]
September Student of the Month
Our High Road Program at Frankford student of the month for September is Saniya. Saniya was nominated by the staff due to her hard work and achievements this month. Staff members report that Saniya not only has a positive attitude but has the best attendance of the month. Saniya has done a great job following directions, actively participating in class and group, staying on task, and [...]
September Staff of the Month
Our High Road Program at Frankford staff of the month for September is Mr. Matt Brunetto! Mr. Matt has been a teacher at our school since September 2018. Staff members nominated Mr. Matt due to his attention to detail, his preparation of lessons, and his passion for teaching. You can always find Mr. Matt encouraging our students to make good choices, and using fun and interactive ways [...]