About the School
Sierra Academy works to provide a safe and nurturing learning
environment for students who need an alternative setting to
achieve their potential. Students in grades 1-9 who have average
to bright intellect, but who have been unsuccessful in traditional
classrooms, who learn differently or who have identified learning
disabilities, will find Sierra Academy to be a place in which
they can grow and achieve success. Our students may have learning
disabilities in the areas of speech/language, auditory processing,
central auditory processing, sensory integration, social skills
deficits, and neurological or other health impairments. Additionally,
they may also have low self esteem related to previous school
failures.
Sierra Academy of San Diego follows state and local requirements
and has the capacity to create highly individualized curriculum
for optimum student success.
Our program includes:
•
Occupational Therapy/Sensory
Integration
•
Speech/Language Therapy
•
8-10 students per class,
3:1 student/teacher ratio
•
Direct Instruction /Specialized
Program
•
Social Skills Training
•
Counseling Services
•
School Wide Behavior Program
At Sierra Academy, we get students to experience success in
the classroom as quickly as possible. We start by helping the
child master achievable skills and problems. Once the child
achieves that success, we get him or her excited about learning.
Gradually, we introduce more challenging material – never
overwhelming. In this way, children feel successful in the classroom
– some for the first time. That academic success translates
into a healthier self-esteem, which in turn gives the student
the confidence to aim for higher levels of achievement. The
student learns to trust, and feels supported enough to risk
taking on a new learning challenge. In our experience, this
approach helps reverse the negative image that many children
have of themselves as students when they first arrive.
