Meet Aniyah: A Student Leader at High Road School of Bucks County

At High Road School of Bucks County, Aniyah is an 11th grader and has become the kind of student who encourages her classmates to take an active role in their education and make positive choices. It’s a role that shows just how much has changed since she first arrived at the school.

Building Trust and Confidence

When Aniyah enrolled at High Road at the beginning of the 2025–26 school year, she was unsure of the staff and students and sometimes engaged in noncompliant behaviors. Through meeting and building relationships with the staff and feeling supported, she has been able to truly transform into the best version of herself.

Throughout the school year, staff began to see her become more comfortable in the classroom and more confident in her own abilities.

Aniyah’s Growth Into a Student Leader

Today, Aniyah consistently completes her schoolwork and engages in lessons and discussions. She asks questions when she needs help and has learned to advocate for the support she needs. Aniyah’s frustration tolerance increased drastically, and so have her academic levels and capabilities. For the first time, she felt comfortable enough to truly try on her work, and her scores showed the growth.

Now a student who exudes confidence and determination, Aniyah encourages other students to participate in class and complete assignments. She also advocates for her classmates when appropriate. As her leadership skills have grown, other students have increasingly looked to her as an example.

“Recently, a student was having a tough moment, and Aniyah quickly let them know they didn’t need to act that way,” said Sarah Washerstein, special education coordinator, High Road School of Bucks County. “She reassured her classmate that the staff were trying to help them and it was okay to calm down.”

Preparing for What Comes Next

Aniyah has also strengthened her ability to recognize what she needs and use the coping strategies she has developed at High Road.

Her progress has been significant enough that a return to her home school may be possible.

“Aniyah wants an opportunity to return to her home school and participate in activities like prom and other events,” said Washerstein, who added that Aniyah has her eyes set on becoming a nurse.

Recognizing Her Capabilities

The small school environment has been an important part of Aniyah’s success, giving her opportunities to build one-on-one connections with staff and develop greater confidence in the classroom. As she continues working toward her goals, Aniyah is also showing her peers what can happen when they begin to recognize their capabilities.

High Road School of Bucks County serves students with academic, emotional, and behavioral needs through individualized learning and specialized support. With smaller class sizes and student-centered instruction, teachers, therapists, and staff build strong connections with students while helping them develop the academic, behavioral, and emotional skills they need to make progress at school and beyond.