• Programs & Services Overview
• Therapeutic Academic Program
• Emotional Support Program
• Extended School Year Program
  
• Clinical Consulting Services
• Transition Services
  • Parent Resources
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• Program Outcomes

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Therapeutic Academic Program

Upper School Program

• All students receive instruction in English, Mathematics, Science, and History / Social Studies based upon Pennsylvania State Standards. Examples of elective classes offered include Introduction to Careers, Horticulture, Food Services, Transitional Living Skills, Computers, Art Elective, and Drama. Not every course is offered every year.

• Students in the Upper School Program participate in the school-wide Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Program.

• The Upper School Program focuses on both academic and social strengths and needs. Each moment of the day is an opportunity to stretch the students' knowledge and abilities in both of these areas to allow for the students to be independent, self-sufficient young adults. Students are able to expand their academic skills while learning to advocate for themselves, utilize coping strategies, and build self-esteem.

lower School Program

• The students receive instruction in Language Arts Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies based upon Pennsylvania State Standards.

• Most students receive Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics instruction before lunch each day. Students also attend Physical Education, Health, Art, and a social group either through drama or the Speech Department before lunch each day. Scheduling conflicts cause some students to have a slightly different schedule.

• After lunch the students participate in a Teacher Observed Social Activity ("TOSA"), a Life Skills lesson, Social Studies, and Science. Students also have the opportunity to participate in art, music and Physical Education electives, listening comprehension activities, study skills, and/or independent study skills.

• The students are all participating in the school-wide Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Program. Students are able to earn "money" each period which students are then able to "spend" on Friday afternoons during the PBS Reward Period.

• The Lower School Program places equal emphasis on both academic and social strengths and needs. Each moment of the day is an opportunity to stretch the students' knowledge and abilities in both of these areas to allow for the students to be independent, self-sufficient young adults. Students are able to expand their academic skills while learning to advocate for themselves, utilize coping strategies, and build self-esteem.

Transitional Living Program, FACT Program (Functional Academics, Community & Transition), and ACT Program (Academics, Community & Transition)

Language Arts Literacy (Strong emphasis in the ACT program; FACT Program and Transitional Living Program will develop reading and listening comprehension skills and modified writing skills)

• Reading Comprehension—Develop Comprehension skills (recalling facts—"wh" questions, inference, sequence, main idea and details, synthesis, evaluation, analysis and/or vocabulary/sight word development) on the student's instructional level.
  

• Listening Comprehension—Develop listening skills through participation in "read alouds" of literature as well as activities involving following directions.

• Writing—Learn the skills necessary to respond to literature and express thoughts and opinions appropriately through written language.

• Reading Therapy/Reading Groups if stated on IEP and determined necessary by the IEP team.

• Social Studies and Science standards will be taught during the Language Arts Literacy instructional period through non-fiction literature and writing activities.

Functional Language Arts Literacy (ACT Program, FACT Program and Transitional Living Program)

• Functional Reading—Learn how to access information from functional materials such as menus, labels, cooking directions, etc.
  

• Functional Writing—Learn the skills necessary to complete various forms such as medical information, job applications, resumes, etc.

Practical Math Applications (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs)

Introduce and develop number sense, computation and real-life word problem skills, money skills (identification of coins/currency, counting money and making change), estimation skills, and time skills (telling time, elapsed time) on the student's instructional level.

Building Relationships (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs)

Develop social skills to improve relations with peers as well as to learn self-advocacy skills. This will be done through classroom activities and lessons, Speech & Language group, and Occupational Therapy group.

Community Integration (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs)

Explore services and supports in the community. Employability skills will be reinforced. Students will access the community safely through shopping, recreation and leisure activities, other community outings and field trips.

Consumer Math/Personal Finance (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs)

Develop money management and smart shopping techniques. Students will develop budgeting skills, checkbook skills, and banking skills. Students will also develop shopping lists, and use coupons and comparison shopping strategies. Students will also learn how to use a debit/credit card if parents set this up at home initially.

Independent Living (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs)

Practice daily living and functional skills (includes, but not limited to: cooking, cleaning a home, minor home repair).

Lifestyles (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs)

Explore personal interests for recreation and leisure while on-campus—physical education, exercise, nutrition, computer skills, creative arts (drama, music, art), and library.

Employability Skills I (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs depending upon student's age, ability levels, AND basic employability skills)

Practice employability skills in the Employability Center and through on-campus jobs.

Employability Skills II (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs depending upon student's age, ability levels, AND basic employability skills)

Continue to strengthen employability skills through off-campus activities offered through the Careers Education Department such as cleaning the church and hospitality center.

School to Work Transition (Transitional Living Program depending upon student's age, ability levels, AND basic employability skills)

Begin gaining greater independence and responsibility during off-campus jobs. Students spend a greater portion of their day off-campus working rather than in the classroom. Students learn time management skills, and they learn to make difficult choices due to work related responsibilities.

 

Personal Care (ACT, FACT, and Transitional Living Programs)

Focus on hygiene, health and wellness, and first aid skills.