HEATHER
RIDGE SCHOOL provides an alternative educational program for students
who require a highly structured setting. The school emphasizes family
involvement and uses individual and group counseling to enable students
to learn the educational and behavioral objectives necessary to re-enter
their local schools. Heather Ridge offers 3 programs designed to help
students with behavioral problems.
The Day School Program serves regular and special education students in
grades 6-10 until they become 16 years old. Students carry daily
progress reports throughout the day and earn points for displaying the
expected behaviors. As they earn points over time, students advance
through the Behavioral Management system, consisting of six levels-
until they are eligible for main streaming to their home schools. All
students in the program regularly meet with a staff therapist to address
behavioral issues in the academic setting.
Students who are 16 years old or older and require the services of an
alternative placement participate in the Twilight Program, from 3:15-
6:15 PM, Mondays through Thursdays. Students must complete one
successful semester in the Twilight Program to qualify for main
streaming back to their home schools. Success includes 90% or better
attendance, a C average in academic work and displaying appropriate
behavior.
The Pyramid III Program runs during normal school hours and serves high
school students with special education needs in grades 9-12. There are
two self contained classes each having approximately nine students.
(There are more than 9 on a roster) Two teachers, four instructional
assistants and 1.5 therapists work within this program. Students are
taught using the Frederick County Public Schools’ Essential Curriculum..
Heather Ridge builds academic, emotional, and social foundations for success in secondary and post-secondary settings.
Goals
Professional Tasks for 2007-08
As our Media Center enters its second year, the specific tasks towards achieving these goals are:
*Two Heather Ridge Students were awarded a tuition scholarship from Frederick Community College to participate in a percussion class during the spring semester.
*Ten students and staff participated in a field trip to the Baltimore Aquarium
*A talent show was held in December, 2006 featuring talented acts performed by our students.
*The science teacher along with her horticulture students created the first vegetable and flower garden as a hand-on learning experience.
*Four students participated in the Unity Day celebration held annually at the Frederick Armory. They were guest presenters with the Linganore High School percussion ensemble. The Heather Ridge and LInganore High music teachers’ team taught the students to prepare for the concert.
*A student representative from Heather Ridge participated in the Martin Luther King Awards Celebration.
*The very first Heather Ridge School dance was held. It was an incentive to reward students who showed academic and behavioral success during a designated time.
*More than 25 businesses and community partners supported the school with various school improvement efforts by donating good and services as well as their time.
Just a few of our students’ accomplishments to show what they can do.
Our Motto: You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails. Our Mission: Heather Ridge builds academic, emotional and social foundations for success in secondary and post-secondary settings.
