Leeway School for Educational Therapy has serviced students since 1978. These programs stress the development of internal controls and personal responsibility for one’s behavior. Normalcy is expected; competency is stressed. Teachers strive to become trusted people whose guidance, limit setting and feedback are eventually seen as nurturing, helping, and supportive. They work to build the self-esteem and improve the self-image of students. Teachers provide direction, orchestrating activities and discussions which encourage exploration and self awareness.
OVERVIEW
Leeway School is a small special education therapeutic day school serving several different groups of students as appears below. The common ground among all students is that they function best in a highly structured setting as opposed to a large main stream public school. The small class sizes and adult to student ratio allows the adults throughout the school to get to know the students on an individual basis. The students at Leeway School all have behavioral difficulties and social/emotional issues with which they need help. The staff consists of special education teachers, counselors, and a speech and occupational therapist. Students are placed in an appropriate classroom condusive to their learning style and needs.
Middle and High School Programs offer a comprehensive special education curriculum for students with individualized education programs (IEP). The students attending this program have behavioral and learning disabilities. Each classroom becomes its own community, supporting and guiding each other. All members of the class make decisions as a group, like deciding how, when, and where the class will take a field trip. Classroom rules are determined with the input of all members of the class, holding students accountable and responsible for their actions. Services include:
• Standards based curriculum • High School diploma / college prep. • Academic achievement • Academic remediation • Vocational / Transitional Services • Sports / Clubs • Work experience • Speech and language services • Counseling • Therapeutic component consisting of motivation and goal attainment • Problem solving • Self esteem building • Study skills • Behavior feedback and modification
Leeway’s Developmental Center offers a comprehensive special education day program for students with moderate to severe global delays, including those associated with autism. An experienced staff of professionals provides a wide range of learning opportunities that foster growth in all essential areas. This educational and therapeutic program promotes:
• Life Skills • Communication skills • Social skills development • Organizational skills • Self esteem • Task completion • Self regulation / behavior management • Consumer / vocational skills • Group / team building • Academic skills development
The curriculum is highly individualized, hands on and designed to address specific student needs. Class size is small with high teacher to student ratio. Independent and semi-independent living skills training are one of the core components of the program. Students are prepared to develop communicative, daily living and job readiness skills necessary for independent living.
Leeway’s Elementary Learning Center’s goal is to provide consistency and accountability. The daily point sheet gives student constant feedback on their performance and behavior. Our Elementary Learning Center is located in a separate part of the campus to avoid influences of older students. The Elementary Learning Center offers:
• Dynamic, experienced, and committed staff • State standard academics • Behavior intervention and modification • Group and team building • Social activities through games and sports • Field trips to enhance learning • Class project to reinforce lessons • Parent conferences
Students enter the classrooms, located in an independent wing, each day knowing the expectations of academic performance and appropriate behaviors. Every student takes part in group each morning to determine their behavioral goal for the day. Throughout the day, students are encouraged and reinforced to attain the goal they set for themselves. At the end of the day, each student has the opportunity to rate him/herself as to how well they accomplished their goal, promoting self awareness.
Leeway’s Single Gender (female) Educational Program’s goal is to empower our young women and help them develop a sense of self. The Single Gender Program is located in a separate wing of the school and offers:
• Guidance in making better decisions and taking responsibility for decisions made • State Standard Academics • Behavioral and social development and guidance • Celebrating successes • Problem solving groups • Mediation groups • Team / Group planning • Field trips to enhance learning • Class projects to reinforce lessons
Without the usual distractions of a co-ed classroom, the girls see themselves as capable, productive, and empowered. This model allows our female population to flourish rather than having to compete with the attention drawn by their acting-out male counterparts. The program provides a much desired alternative for many girls, as the special education population tends to be dominated by boys.
