SPECIALTY PROGRAMS
Reading Program
The Spectrum reading program is designed to develop reading fluency in high school students. Students with average cognitive ability who are struggling to decode words are unable to manage the academic reading required in high school. The reading program takes students from one class per day (generally paired with their LS class if enrolled) for twenty minutes. Students are carefully tested for their reading level and speed. Books that are both interesting to the student and just above current level are selected. They are paired with an EA who is specially trained in the program who reads with them daily.
We're seeing significant growth in our students (sometimes 3 grades improvement in one school year)!
We're seeing significant growth in our students (sometimes 3 grades improvement in one school year)!
Integrated Support
For the majority of our students we offer targeted support in academic and elective classes throughout the school.
Work Experience
For students who need support developing work place skills we offer an opportunity for work experience placements in the community. These placements are run in conjunction with trusted companies and are monitored by our staff. Students get help creating a resume, filling out applications, and practicing for an interview.
Transition Support
Students at Spectrum are brought into the school with a transition plan developed by the transition team and their feeder school staff. Each student comes to Spectrum with a case manager attached and a plan outlining their success. Students leaving Spectrum will have a plan created as well. Families, staff, stakeholders, and, of course, the student gather to create a plan that supports the needs of the student and their ambitions going forward. If Post-secondary is to be part of the plan IEPs and Psycho-Educational documents are provided to the family to share with the institution. If job training is required we have an agency we use to help arrange this. Students always leave Spectrum with a plan.
Room 303 Lunch Program
During the lunch hour at Spectrum, room 303 (Life Skills Classroom) opens up for kids with special needs to eat their lunch, and work on their social skills while being supervised by our staff. Upon finishing their lunch they have access to endless board games, cards, and books to play with their friends.