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Welcome to the High
Road School |
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Thank you for the opportunity to work
with your children! We are committed to the success of
your student and promise to make your family’s experience
with us a positive one. Here at High Road School we pride
ourselves on keeping our parents involved in the learning
process. One of our philosophies is that the growth of
a student does not end at the last school bell. We work
with parents to help their children to carry on their
school successes at home. Our staff is always available
to help parents with strategies to maintain learning and
positive behaviors.
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A Guide to the Enrollment
Process |
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Once a child is referred to us from their
sending school district we will promptly contact you. This first
contact is to set up an interview and tour at your earliest
convenience. During your interview and tour we will explain
all we have to offer your student. We will work with you to
make the best placement decision for you and your student. As
soon as a decision has been made we will work to enroll your
student in a timely manner. We understand the importance of
preventing gaps in schooling. Once your student is enrolled
in the High Road School we will work individually to find out
their learning strengths and weakness. This makes it possible
for the school to create a tailored program to match your student’s
needs.
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A parent’s guide
to selecting a specialized school |
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The choice is yours
As a parent, you want the best education for your child. You
want a place where your child’s unique needs and abilities
will be respected and supported. You look for a school where
your child will feel comfortable. There are many schools from
which to choose. How do you find the school that is best for
your son or daughter?
Come Visit
There is no better way to get a feel for a school than to visit
it in person. Observe how teachers and students interact. Look
for students who seem similar to your child. Imagine your child
in the school’s classrooms.
If you like what you see, bring your child back to join a class
for the day. As you visit the classrooms, ask yourself the following
questions:
Will my child fit in and be comfortable in this school?
Will my child receive the individualized attention she or he
needs?
Does the school challenge my child without frustrating him or
her?
Inquire About Teacher Qualifications
Ask about the qualifications of teachers in the school. In many
private schools, state certification is not required. It is
important to find out if all the teachers hold four year college
degrees. Many teachers may have masters or other advanced degrees,
particularly if they teach a specific area. A good school will
support continuing education programs for its teachers. A great
school will provide the resources necessary for school staff
to stay on the cutting edge of instructional techniques and
curriculum developments.
The Right Academic Program
Choose a school that fits your child – one that enables
your child to experience success through academic achievement.
You want a school that will challenge without frustrating. You
want a school that will prepare your child for the future.
It is important to note if the curriculum and instructional
approach customized to enable your child to advance at his or
her own pace. Check to see the student to teacher ratio. To
meet the needs of students with different learning styles, teachers
should provide tutorial instruction for part of each day. At
the high school level, the school should prepare your child
for what comes next, whether it’s continuing education,
employment, or independent living.
Good Schools Manage the Learning Environment
Your child requires a safe, nurturing, and orderly environment
in which to learn. That requires cooperation from every student.
Managing classroom behavior is an essential role of a teacher.
An effective school will establish clear outcomes for student
behavior and will hold students accountable for their actions.
Your child should be free to learn without distractions in an
environment that encourages and supports learning.
Don’t Judge By Appearances
The heart of a school is not to be found in its facilities or
its location; it rests in its people. When you visit a school,
look behind the facilities to get a sense of the vision, the
philosophy, and the culture of the school. Learning can take
place in modest settings. While a school building should be
comfortable and safe, facilities are less important than what
takes place in the classroom. That is where you should see the
spirit and the energy of the school at work.
Look For Signs of a Well Run School
Look for program consistency from classroom to classroom. That
is a sign of a shared vision among the school’s staff.
You can be assured of continuity in your child’s education
even as your child changes teachers or advances to higher grade
levels. A positive attitude and a common sense of purpose among
staff and students all signal leadership.
Your Child is at the Center of Attention
In a school that truly meets your child’s needs, staff
will take the time to get to know your child and build your
child’s trust. It is more than just knowing your child’s
name, it’s about caring. You want teachers who will put
your child at the center of their attention. In the school’s
family-like atmosphere, your child will be supported as he or
she develops into a confident and successful individual.
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School Visit Checklist |
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Will my child fit in here? |
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Will my child receive individual
instruction? |
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Does the school use computer
technology to enhance learning? |
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Does the school challenge without
frustration? |
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Are the teachers qualified to
teach my child? |
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Will the school grow with my
child? |
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Is there a shared vision among
staff? |
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Does the school continually train
its teachers? |
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Are the classrooms safe and orderly? |
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Do the teachers truly care about
their students? |
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Eight simple things families
can do to help their child succeed in school! |
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Establish a daily routine: dinnertime, study
time, bedtime, and time to wake up. |
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Set aside a place for your child to study. |
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Model the importance of self-discipline,
planning ahead, and responsibility. |
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Read, listen to your child read, and talk
about what is being read. |
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Encourage your child’s progress and
give praise for effort and achievement. |
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Provide a safe place for you child to vent
frustration without judgment. Be supportive and be a good listener. |
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Provide a structured, predictable environment
where rules are consistently applied. |
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Remember that your child is more normal than
different. Focus on what your child can do and remember that
all children need love, guidance and the freedom to learn. |
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The door is always open. And when you have a
child with disabilities, it helps to know you can trust them
– they really do care about your child.” |
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– High Road Parent |
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My child’s self esteem has really risen.
He sees that he can achieve, that he can learn. That’s
impacted his behavior at home, and with his friends. He’s
a different child now; he really is.” |
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– High Road Parent |
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