Capital Academy of Harrisburg
Capital Academy of Harrisburg opened for the 2012–2013 school year and has continued to grow, now serving over a dozen districts in central Pennsylvania. Capital Academy’s fully certified staff teaches using programs designed to manage behaviors that impeded academics and develop transferable life skills, driving better outcomes and providing tools students need to be successful beyond the classroom. With the ability to serve 40 students in our Alternative Education program and 140 students in our Academic Program, Capital Academy of Harrisburg is committed to creating brighter futures for our students, regardless of the learning barriers or other challenges they may face.
Contact Us
- (P) 717.238.6960
- 1414 N. Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17103
Meet The Team
Rondale King, Program Director
Rondale King is 12 year-veteran in the Alternative Education world. He began his career many years ago as a Mental Health Worker in York, PA. Over the years, Mr. King has assisted in the start-up and staff training with alternative education programs in Nashville, TN, Miami, FL, Athens, GA, Lincoln, NE and York, PA. Mr. King is a firm believer that “every child in whatever educational setting has the fundamental right to a quality education provided by quality teachers.” Mr. King began his collegiate journey at Robert Morris University and obtained his degree from Eastern University, where he is currently completing leadership coursework. For leisure, Mr. King enjoys working on his golf game, spending time with family and coaching basketball. He is currently the 17u AAU coach at Spooky Nook Sports and the Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach at Columbia High School.
Jes Colatta, Director of Special Education
Jes Colatta began her career at Capital Academy of Harrisburg in 2016 as a high school English teacher, prior to making the transition to AEDY and High School Team Leader. Her life experiences have afforded her the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people in order to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. Her educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, and a committed educational team – all of which can be found at Capital Academy of Harrisburg.
Ms. Colatta received her bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Robert Morris University in 2010. She continued her education at Southern New Hampshire University where she earned her master’s degrees in Language and Literature and Curriculum Instruction for students with Dyslexia and LBLD in 2014. Ms. Colatta is a lifelong learner and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis.
In our Alternative Education program, students experience a combination of direct academic instruction, behavior modification, and peer accountability with the goal of getting students back to their home school and on track to earning their high school diploma. In this program, students in grades 6–12 are encouraged to redirect each other and create a positive learning environment. Capital Academy of Harrisburg recognizes the impact of peer pressure among students and promotes a culture focused on students giving one another feedback to address peer and school expectations in regard to behaviors.
Focused on serving the needs of our special education students, our Academic Program, accredited by Cognia, focuses on students whose challenges cannot be adequately addressed in the traditional classroom. Students in grades 1–12 are referred by their school districts to our highly structured environments. More than a behavior program, our special education models combine academics, behavior modification, support services, and transition and life planning services utilizing a rotational system of learning. Each student is matched to a program that meets their individual needs based on their IEP and is focused on the student’s language level, social capabilities, and ability to learn in a group setting.
Daily Zones SEN Log
In our elementary program (1st–5th grade), we utilize the SEN daily zones for our students. Within the classroom teachers and staff incorporates the Zones of Regulation to assist students in practicing self regulation and coping strategies. Students are given the opportunity to acknowledge their zone and earn points within a specific block of time. At the end of each block of time students have opportunities to make choices and earn incentives that correspond to the appropriate zones.
Middle School SEN Log
In our middle school program, teachers and staff utilize a similar SEN system, with slightly different daily point sheet. This corresponds to program norms and processes. In an attempt to individualize this system we have also added students Individual Education Program (IEP) behavior goals on the SEN log. This way when teachers and staff redirect the students or they earn points it directly correlates to their progress monitoring.