The High Road Academy partnership program with Anne Arundel County Public Schools is a Type II full day special education and related services program for students with specific learning disabilities in middle school (grades 6 through 8).  The goal of the program is to accelerate student academic performance to a level necessary to allow the student to reach achievement standards that are aligned with the Maryland Core Learning Goals. The content standards are based on the State’s approved grade-level content standards for Reading/English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies for the grade in which the student is enrolled.  Student programs are developed in accordance with the IEP and all available assessment data.  In order to accelerate student academic achievement, High Road Academy will complete a comprehensive academic assessment to identify targeted areas of skill remediation.  Individual student participation in the program ranges from one to three years.  After completion of the program, students are expected to enter less restrictive high school programs without the need for intensive supports.

The program will operate an intensive academic intervention program in the areas of Reading/English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies for the grade in which the student is enrolled.  Students will participate in General Education classes with modifications, accommodations, and other supports as determined by the IEP team. Specific research-based interventions provided at High Road Academy are individually designed to accelerate reading (both decoding and comprehension), math skills, writing skills, as well as strategies for content enhancement and mastery.

In addition to student participation in the same curriculum, materials, and equipment used by the public school, High Road Academy may supplement the academic program with other intensive strategies, materials, and programs designed specifically to address the needs of the student.  Examples include:

Reading/English Language Arts Supports:

•    Wilson Reading Program
•    Glass Analysis for Decoding Only
•    Fernald Word Learning Technique
•    Recipe for Reading
•    Phono-Graphix Program
•    Language!  Program (Jane Fell Greene)
•    Fast forWord
•    Great Leaps Reading Program (Kenneth Campbell)
•    Guided Strategic Reading

•    Orton-Gillingham (Remedial Training for Students with Specific Disability in Reading, Spelling, and Penmanship)
•    Morphographs
•    Rewards
•    Jamestown Timed Readings
•    Signature Reading Program
•    Spelling with Morphemes
•    Software Supports:  Universal Reader, Lexia, Skills Tutor, Ace Reader, Write out Loud, Inspiration, Co-Writer, and others.  
•    6 + 1 Trait Writing Program

Mathematics Supports:

•    Increased use of manipulatives and hands-on experience
•    Select textbooks and workbooks with guided practice, repetition, and modeling (i.e. Enright, Saxon, AGS, Globe Fearon, others)
•    Hands-on-Algebra using Algebraic Tiles
•    Reteaching and review of basic math concept skills

Content Supports:

•    Select textbooks and workbooks with guided practice, repetition, and modeling (i.e. AGS, Globe Fearon, others)
•    Content Enhancement Strategies (Kansas Institute for Research on Learning):
•    Framing Routine
•    LINCS Vocabulary Routine
•    Anchoring Strategy
•    Unit Organizer
•    Others, as appropriate

High Road Academy operates on a ten-month regular school year that is the same as the public school.

Program Goals:

•    To prepare students to be full participants in a less restrictive setting in the home school.
•    To prepare students for the Maryland State testing requirements.
•    To provide students with consistent and structured tutorials in deficit areas in order to accelerate academic achievement aligned to State Standards for the grade in which the student is enrolled.
•    To provide students with the strategies and skills necessary to be independent learners in the general education setting.

Grades Six-Eight
Students in grades six through eight will be instructed according to the specifications of the IEP.  This will include intensive, specialized, multisensory instruction in reading, writing, and math.  The High Road Academy curriculum is based on both state and local standards.  All teachers plan instruction based on the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC).  In addition, curriculum guides obtained from the Anne Arundel County Public School System are utilized in each area of instruction.  All students participate in the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) program and are tested in accordance with the State testing calendar.

Program Organization:
High Road Academy is administered by an Executive Director who is responsible for its operation during the entire ten-month program.  In addition, there is an Educational Director to fulfill duties related to oversight and management of school operations. The Educational Director meets the requirements for an Advanced Professional Certificate through MSDE. The Educational Director also holds a Masters Degree in Special Education.  High Road Academy employs fully certified personnel and conditionally certified personnel in all areas to fully implement each student’s IEP.  These include Special Education Teachers and Assistant Teachers.  All related services will be provided to students through the public school’s staff.  In addition, High Road Academy students may also be included in general education classes in which a special education teacher and/or assistant is provided by the public school.  Although High Road Academy students may receive support from the public school special education staff, case management is the sole responsibility of High Road Academy staff.

Population Served:
High Road Academy is able to serve up to approximately nine boys and girls between the approximate ages of 10 and 14 years of age.  In addition to primarily serving students with learning disabilities, High Road Academy will provide services for students who have been diagnosed with secondary disabilities in related areas:  Other Health Impaired, Emotionally Disturbed, or Speech & Language Impaired.  Further, students with Aspergers or other related disabilities may be admitted provided the IEP team determines that the instructional components of the High Road Academy program are appropriate to meet the needs of the individual student in question.  The IEP, however, MUST be academically focused without an undue emphasis on the social/emotional or behavioral needs of the student.  
 
Parents are welcome to visit at any time.  

High Road Academy does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnic background, religion, or gender in the admission of students or the employment of staff.  

The legal authority responsible for governing and operating High Road Academy is Specialized Education of MD, Inc.