The High Road Academy of Prince George’s County is a private alternative education facility offering an Intensity V program for students (8-21) with a wide range of learning disabilities. Because we specialize in this specific population and have garnered decades of experience in expertly meeting the needs and addressing the challenges of learning‐disabled students, our program offers the optimal setting to increase each student’s sense of self‐worth and advance their academic development. In fact, our overriding mission is to make each student feel successful in all areas of their lives — in the classroom, at home, and in the community — through academic achievement, improved self‐esteem, and heightened self‐confidence. We therefore concentrate all our efforts and initiatives on creating a strong and supportive learning environment that builds on students’ particular aptitudes and breaks down identified barriers.

We custom‐design an educational program for each child, and then our talented and dedicated staff implements that program through a combination of one‐on‐one tutorial sessions, individual and small‐group instruction, interactive computerized modules, and a school-wide behavioral management system that advocates accountability and respect for self and others. Through it all, we highlight students’ strengths, consistently engage their interest, and deliver supplementary services as needed to promote their growth scholastically, socially, and emotionally. In so doing, the High Road Academy steadily serves as a gateway to success for countless students in countless ways.

New

Upcoming Events

Open House - September 13

Hispanic Heritage Month - Programs and Activities throughout the month

Harvest Festival - November 23

Christmas Pageant - December 22

Continue to check for additional information and fliers as dates draw closer

Graduation 2010

Graduation Ceremonies are the perfect opportunity to celebrate past accomplishments and future aspirations.  On June 8, 2010, the Prince George’s Ballroom (Pinebrook, MD) was host to the High Road Schools of Southern Maryland Regional Graduation.  The nearly 50 graduates that comprised of the Class of 2010 filled the ballroom with excitement, pride and hope along with over 400 family and guests on a very hot June evening.

Witnessing nearly 50 students In special education (with a variety of emotional and learning disabilities) earn their high school diploma is cause enough for celebration.  However, the additional achievements of the students are what really make the Class of 2010 very special.
The graduating class along with their family and invited guests were treated to 3 very special speakers.  Ms. Maryah Jenkins, a Graduate of 2010, Mrs. Veronica Washington, serving as keynote speaker and Dr. Michael Kaufman, President and CEO of SESI.  Ms. Jenkins spoke to her fellow classmates with a warm heart about all they have accomplished so far and what is possible beyond high school.

Mrs. Veronica Washington served as the keynote speaker to the graduating class.  During her address, Mrs. Washington stressed the importance of hard work, sound decision making and focus as keys to success now that the next chapter in their lives is set to begin.  As the former Director of Non-Public Schools for Baltimore City, Mrs. Washington was passionately able to draw her from experiences to motivate the young graduates.

As the closing Speaker, Dr. Michael Kaufman also imparted motivational words of encouragement for both the graduating class and the entire audience.  Dr. Kaufman skillfully summed up the significance this special day and how important it was to be able enjoy life not matter what obstacles you many encounter.  He concluded by officially confirming the Graduating Class of 2010 by having each graduate move their tassel from the right to the left.

Spotlight on Our Schools

The High Road Schools located in the state of Maryland (are a member of the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities commonly referred to as MANSEF (www.mansef.org). MANSEF is a state wide association with over 90 member schools.  In the Spring Edition of the MANSEF Newsletter, our schools were featured on the front cover.  To check out the entire article, please click the following link:

Assessment’s Utilized at High Road Academy of Prince Georges County

Diagnostic Assessment of Reading (DAR)- Provides an assessment of individual student achievement in print awareness, phonological awareness, letters and sounds, word recognition, word analysis, oral reading accuracy and fluency, silent reading comprehension, spelling, and word meaning.

Key Math 3- is a comprehensive, norm-referenced measure of essential mathematical concepts and skills represented in three general math content areas: Basic Concepts (conceptual knowledge), Operations (computational skills), Applications (problem solving).
Woodcock Reading Mastery Test- provides an expanded interpretive system and age range to help assess word identification, word attack, word comprehension, passage comprehension and various reading skills.

Ekwall/Shanker Reading Inventory- is based on time-tested criteria of informal reading inventory as well as researched-based, clinically verified assessments. It covers all areas critical to reading-including phonemic awareness, concepts about print, letter knowledge, basic sight words, structural analysis, fluency, and comprehension.

Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI)- is a computerized program that assesses a student specific reading level and monitors his or her reading progress. SRI helps to identify struggling readers as well as diagnose and plan for instruction.

The High Road Academy Reading Priority

At the High Road Academy of Prince George's County, remedial reading is a primary focus of our school's programs.  Please click on the links below to learn more about the methodologies and the reading model we employ for our students.

Methodologies
Reading Model
Why are we Assessing your Child

High Road Sports

The High Road Schools are committed to providing services, programs and activities that provide opportunities for students to grow both inside and outside of the classroom.  For several years the High Road Schools have had an Inter-High Road School Sports league.

The 10 schools throughout Maryland including Baltimore, Capitol Heights, Lanham, and Beltsville & La Plata compete throughout the school year in three sports.

Fall – Flag Football
Winter – Basketball
Spring – Kickball

These teams provide an opportunity for our students to gain knowledge and skills in team sports and sportsmanship.  Only students (on blue level) that have demonstrated the ability to make sound decisions can participate in practices and games.  The league provides students a chance to interact with student from other High Road Schools and to show school pride for their own.

Each sport season has its own playoff and crown champions for that season.  In flag football, the playoffs are in a bowl format similar to the NCAA.  Naturally, we have our own form of March Madness to crown our Basketball Champions.

Each year, all the schools get together for a Sports Banquet where the students are celebrated for their athletic performance and sportsmanship.  All participating students receive a participation award at the banquet.

For more information about our Sports League Programs, please contact your child’s school and ask for the team coach.

Students Attend Prince George's County National College Fair

On April 16th, students from our three Diversified Occupations classes dressed for success!! They attended the Prince George's County National College Fair at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland. Here, students sat through informative and engaging workshops on how students with learning disabilities can prepare for college, apply for accommodations, as well as write admissions essays and succeed in college level classes. Next, the students were able to tour hundreds of tables of colleges from around the country to collect materials and resources on programs of interest. Most students found it exciting and enjoyed the experience of planning their future!
 
Ms. Wargo- Transition Coordinator

The One Stop Shop!

The High Road Academy school store in Lanham, Maryland is a fun and exciting place to shop. It is a place where the students come to spend the High Road Money they have earned (as part of our behavior modification program) and purchase items they enjoy.

The store is also a place where the students can work and gain customer services experience.  In addition, students working at the school store can also gain other work related skills including basic accounting functions. Furthermore, this store provides an atmosphere that gives students an opportunity to learn about retail and what products interest the consumer.

Students are always eager to work in the school store because it gives them the opportunity to show their capability to be trustworthy and responsible. So if you are ever in need of that great gift or that little something special, please feel free to stop by the High Road Academy school store, better known as The One Stop Shop!

The Transition Programs of the High Road Schools of Southern Maryland (locations in Beltsville, Capitol Heights, Lanham & La Plata) are designed to provide students an opportunity to prepare for independent living after graduation.  To achieve these objectives, there are many components of our Transition Programs.

Students learn a variety of occupational skills such as interview techniques, resume writing and career exploration.  To achieve maximum success, students are exposed a variety of careers, jobs and skill sets.   In addition, orienting our students to the world of retail sales and customer service provides valuable experiences that will benefit them in any future career.
Each of our schools, offer as part of our program a Promotional Items Department.  Students have at the fingertips several technical machines which can customize a wide variety of items such as mouse pads, t-shirts and tote bags.

In an effort to promote the great work of our students, the High Road Schools of Southern Maryland are proud to introduce our region-wide Production Catalog.  At affordable prices and great quality you can purchase personalized t-shirts for your upcoming high school reunion or tote bags commemorating your family picnic.  With the holidays coming, you may need to be stocking stuffers such as key chains, mouse pads or coffee mugs.  Our schools even offer gift baskets containing an assortment of our products.

The students are preparing for a very busy holiday season so please don’t delay in placing your order. Please feel free to download a copy of our 2010 Brochure or contact our Customer Service Center at (301) 210-4860, our Mr. Kevin Mattison, Transition Coordinator of the High Road Upper School of Prince George’s County, will be able to direct you to any one of our Customer Service Representatives.

Spring 2010 In Review

As we turn the page onto the 2010-2011 school year, let's take a quick look back at the great events that took place throughout last spring.

Prom 2010

2010 Charity Volleyball Tournament

2010 Regional Career Fair

Fine Arts Festival