Sierra School at Manor
Built on strong collaboration and communication between Manor ISD and our in-district staff, our district programs are designed to achieve their greatest potential. We address the diverse academic, social-emotional, and behavioral requirements of every student through methods such as maintaining an optimal student-to-staff ratio, implementing personalized and small-group teaching methods, and employing a comprehensive behavior management system. Our dedicated staff collaborates seamlessly with both district special education and general education teachers, ensuring that students derive the utmost advantages from both district resources and our specialized programs.
Contact Us
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- (P) 512-278-4739
- 5600 Decker Lane, Manor, Texas 78724
Meet the Team
Melissa Diarra
School Director
Melissa Diarra serves as the Program Director at Sierra School at Manor, where she is deeply committed to fostering a positive school culture and a supportive climate that empowers both students and staff. With over 12 years of experience in special education, Melissa’s journey from paraprofessional to leadership has been driven by a passion for creating learning environments where every student feels safe, valued, and capable of growth.
At the heart of Melissa’s leadership is the belief that meaningful change happens when culture is rooted in consistency, compassion, and high expectations. She works closely with her team to build a school community grounded in mutual respect, trauma-informed practices, and a shared commitment to student success. Through strong partnerships with families and districts, she ensures that each student receives individualized academic and behavioral support tailored to their unique needs.
Melissa’s approach is centered on equity, empowerment, and inclusion—guiding principles that shape not only the way Sierra School at Manor operates, but also how it feels for the students who walk through its doors each day.
We serve students in grades 4-12. Our classroom is a highly structured, therapeutic environment with a classroom-based behavior management level system to assess student needs and map out the best way to benefit them. Our staff provides a positive and welcoming environment to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of each student.
Broad-Based Educational Services & Therapies (B.E.S.T.) Program
B.E.S.T. Model of Specialist Instruction: Students receive specialized direct instruction in prosocial skills, sensory regulation, communication, and language development.
- Functions of student behaviors and behavioral goals can be determined by student assessments such as Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs).
- Academic and functional living targets are identified through research-based assessment tools, such as Promoting Emerging Advanced Knowledge (PEAK) or Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP).
- 4-Step Plans provide additional layers of instructional assessment and guidance to effectively address each student’s academic needs or skill gaps
- Sierra’s Team works in close collaboration with each student’s home school/district to ensure a more seamless reintegration into or out of classrooms across the continuum.
Academic Rotation Program
Our Academic Rotation program focuses on utilizing academic supports, social and emotional learning, and positive behavioral interventions to assist students in learning, generalizing, and maintaining positive social, emotional, and behavioral skills across multiple learning environments. Students receive specialized direct instruction in pro-social skills so they can learn to effectively identify and self-regulate their behavior in their least restrictive environment. Target skills may include, but are not limited to, being considerate, appropriate, safe, and engaged (CASE). Students learn and practice mindfulness techniques, self-regulation strategies, thought stopping/thought changing strategies, and motivational techniques that will allow them to gain more self-control and improve problem-solving skills.
Sierra Schools have decades of experience in serving students with complex social, emotional, and behavioral needs. We couple our extensive experience with the latest in evidence-based, specialized instruction, positive behavioral supports and interventions, in addition to social skills training. We routinely assess students’ individual skill levels, collect and analyze data, and use this information to design instructional and behavioral plans. Sierra provides an added layer of clinical support and services. Our social worker can provide in classroom and online therapy, in-the-moment teaching and intervention, parent/guardian supports, training, and case coordination for our students. Our clinical staff lead our social/emotional supports and lesson resources to ensure high quality skills training for our students.
Our Students
Students are referred by their school district to attend Sierra School at Manor, and are generally in grades 4–12 facing social and emotional disabilities.
Our Staff
The Sierra School at Manor has an experienced, certified Special Education teacher, social worker, and two teaching assistants.