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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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) - [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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
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 [...]
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) [...]
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, [...]
‘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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Rachael Chatel on Connecticut News 3
Watch News
‘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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
FullBloom Appoints Celeste Chatman as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Talent Management
Proven Leader Will Help Guide Company’s Mission to Create a More Equitable and Inclusive Work Environment PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FullBloom, a leading provider of special [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Dr. Diane Myers Shares How to Support Students with IEPS During Distance Learning
Everyone Deserves to Learn interviewed Dr. Diane Myers, SESI SVP of Special Education - Behavior Management, about supporting students with IEPS during distance learning. Students with IEPs and their [...]
Colts Cornerback Shares Inspiring Story with SESI Students
Sports Illustrated spotlighted a recent guest assembly appearance from Colts Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin with FCS Peak Academy students! Indianapolis Colts Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin shared his story of perseverance with [...]
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), [...]
Critical Mass Shares Gift of Song with Community
Grand Canyon University recently came out to share their holiday spirit in the way of song. The group performed a medley for students at Sierra Academy of Scottsdale, one [...]
Cutting Edge Barbershop Visits High Road’s Hornets Nest
The Patch of Connecticut spotlighted a recent visit from Cutting Edge Barbershop to High Road School of Wallingford's in-school barbershop! The fades and trims took place in the on-campus [...]
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, [...]
Aurora Day School holds prom for students with autism in Peoria
Good Morning AZ visited the Aurora Day School on Friday April 26th to take in the sights and sounds of their 2019 Prom! The students were so excited to be [...]
Autism Isn’t a Defining Characteristic for Those on The Spectrum
Aaron O'Neil, Program Director of the High Road School of Wright City, recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Warren County Record entitled "Preparing Students for Independence." [...]
Op-Ed: Learn About Individuals With Autism
Thomas Roberts, Program Director of the Sierra School at Main Street, recently wrote an opinion piece in the The Daily Camera entitled "Learn About Individuals With Autism." "April marks [...]
Helping Students With Autism Reach Their Goals
Amy Farmer, Education Director at <a href="https://catapultlearning.com/schools/best-academy/">B.E.S.T. Academy</a>, recently wrote an opinion piece in the <em>The CT Mirror</em> entitled "Helping Students With Autism Reach Their Goals." <div class="subscriber-only"> <blockquote>"While [...]
Bridgeport Barber Hopes to Inspire Youth to Pursue His Craft
Jason Donalson is a barber at the Cuttin Edge Barber Shop in Bridgeport. He has been working with at-risk youth for years, some with learning disabilities, autism and physical [...]
STCC gives High Road School of Hartford students glimpse of future careers
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Springfield Technical Community College provided career training to students from High Road School of Hartford. STCC's Workforce Development Center made it possible for students from the [...]