Admission Requirements
The Cedar Ridge School is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education to offer the following programs:
- Type I full day special education program for male students with emotional difficulties and other health impairments in grades 1-12;
- Type I full day general education program for male students in grades 7-12.
The maximum combined capacity of the school to provide the two programs is 63 students.
Achieving a Maryland high school diploma is usually the long-term goal for most students at Cedar Ridge School. However, students may be performing academically at any level, and some may be pursuing a program focused more on life and vocational skills, such as those pursuing a certificate of completion. Students attending our school exhibit behaviors which prohibit their attendance in a public school milieu. These behaviors most often include defiance, non-compliance, disrespect to authority figures, lying, stealing, destruction of property, and/or verbal and physical aggression. Because Cedar Ridge School is not a locked facility, students who demonstrate a marked propensity to elope from school will most likely not be considered as a viable candidate for enrollment.
When making a referral for placement, agencies and boards of education may verbally request or request in writing a referral by contacting the School Administrator or Education Director at Cedar Ridge School. For referrals to our Type 1 Special Education Program, the following documents are required: a current, complete IEP with the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) designation of “Private Separate Day School Program”; most recent educational and psychological assessments; current transcripts with most recent grades; Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan if applicable, parent/guardian contact information; state assessment and immunization records. The Cedar Ridge School Administrative Team will review this information to determine the appropriateness of the referral. If it is believed that adequate services can be provided for the student, then an interview and/or intake meeting will be scheduled. If an acceptance letter is required, the letter will include a request for change of placement and service hour revision.
For referrals to our Type I General Education Program, the following information is required: current transcripts with most recent grades; disciplinary records; parent/agency contact information; state assessment and immunization records. The Cedar Ridge School Administrative Team will use gathered school information to determine whether an appropriate educational program can be provided before admission to the Type I General Education Program.
When a student enrolls in the Type I General Education Program and has an IEP, the School Administrative Team will notify the Local School System (LSS) and prepare a packet of information needed in order for the LSS to hold an IEP meeting to determine the appropriate school placement.
Because students from both programs (General Education and Special Education) will be co-mingled, students in the Type I General Education Program with IEP’s will receive the appropriate level of related services depending upon the needs outlined in the IEP. Also, students identified as needing Special Education will benefit from receiving an education alongside non-disabled peers who are enrolled in the Type I General Education Program.