Description of the Educational Program
Since 1973, an educational program has existed at Cedar Ridge Ministries. At the time of its inception, the program was intended to provide a tutorial option for residents within the Cedar Ridge Children’s Home who were experiencing severe academic and/or behavioral problems within the public schools in Washington County. Cedar Ridge Children’s Home and School, Inc. became the legal authority responsible the educational program and is governed by a Board of Directors with a presiding chairman.
Cedar Ridge School has grown over the years and currently serves male students within two integrated programs:
- Type I Special Education Program
- Type I General Education Program
Purpose of the Type I Special Education Program
The Cedar Ridge School Type I Special Education Program is committed to the purpose of serving male students in grades 1-12 who are unable to function in a regular, public school environment/classroom due to the following reasons: emotional disability and/or other health impairments (such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Eligibility for a private separate day school setting due to these needs is determined through the goals, supplementary aids and services listed in the student’s Individual Education Plan generated by the referring public school system.
The Cedar Ridge School attempts to meet the needs of these identified students with the following program components:
- Lower student to staff ratios
- Teaching staff certified in Special Education
- Highly structured behavioral management system
- Small group intervention
- Crisis intervention
- Individual/group counseling
- Opportunities for student service learning activities
Ultimately, the purpose of the Cedar Ridge School program is to equip each student with the necessary strengths to succeed in a less restrictive environment, such as a public school setting. While following the objectives outlined in each student’s IEP, the program also strives to meet the following goals as well:
- Strengthen the student’s academic skills through group learning as well as individually paced, 1-1 learning opportunities;
- Enhance each student’s self-esteem by providing positive feedback through praise/encouragement;
- Assist the students in developing a more positive view of school and the learning process by providing opportunities to experience success in school;
- Encourage positive social development by providing training in cooperation, manners and conflict resolution;
- Increase the student’s ability to maintain self-control through processing and training in de-escalation techniques and coping strategies.
Each classroom is designed to accommodate up to nine male students, with a teacher and an instructional/behavioral assistant(s). Depending upon the size of the student group, additional assistants are provided. Other staff members include the School Administrator, Education Director, School Social Workers, Office Manager, and On Call Nurse.
Speech and occupational therapy may be provided on a contractual basis. Currently, Washington County students with Speech or Occupational Therapy on their IEP receive these services from qualified Washington County Related Service Providers.
The physical plant provides a full-sized gym equipped with lockers and showers. The school building includes six classrooms (each with it's own bathroom), four de-escalation rooms, a sensory room, counseling office area, library, a media center, a dining area with kitchen facilities, and administrative offices. The school is capable of serving up to 63 students.
The program is overseen by the School Administrator, along with the Education Director. The school uses an interdisciplinary team approach.
Purpose of the Type I General Education Program
The Cedar Ridge School Type I General Education Program is committed to the purpose of serving male students in grades 7-12 who require a general education setting. Because students enrolled in the General Education Program will receive educational services alongside students in the Special Education Program, they will receive similar benefits including:
- Lower student to staff ratios
- Teaching staff certified in General and Special Education
- Highly structured behavioral management system
- Small group intervention
- Crisis intervention
- Individual/group counseling as needed
- Opportunities for student service learning activities
In addition to these benefits, students enrolled in the General Education Program will each have a Personal Education Plan (PEP) developed to address academic and transitional goals. Some students within the General Education program may have IEP’s addressing specific academic and behavioral needs. In addition to following the objectives outlined in each student’s PEP or IEP, the program strives to meet the following goals as well:
- Strengthen the student’s academic skills through group learning as well as individually paced, 1-1 learning opportunities.
- Enhance each student’s self-esteem by providing positive feedback through praise/encouragement.
- Assist students in developing a more positive view of school and the learning process by providing opportunities to experience success in school.
- Encourage positive social development by providing training in cooperation, manners and conflict resolution
- Increase the student’s ability to maintain self-control through processing and training in de-escalation techniques.
Each classroom is designed to accommodate up to nine male students, with a teacher and an instructional/behavioral Assistant(s). Depending upon the size of the student group, additional assistants are provided. Other staff members include the School Administrator, Education Director, School Social Workers, Office Manager, and On Call Nurse.
The physical plant provides a full-sized gym equipped with lockers and showers. The school building includes six classrooms (each with it's own bathroom), four de-escalation rooms, a sensory room, counseling office area, library, a media center, a dining area with kitchen facilities, and administrative offices. The school is capable of serving up to 63 students.
The program is overseen by the School Administrator, along with the Education Director. The school uses an interdisciplinary team approach.