The High Road Student Learning Center is a privately owned, state-approved special education day school that serves students facing learning, language, and social challenges. Our effective educational program features one-on-one and small group interactive learning, supplemented by integrated computer technology in every classroom. Every student’s academic program is individualized by utilizing curriculums that meet each student’s learning style. Our teachers have access to a wide selection of reading resources, including Wilson Reading, Edmark, Reading Milestones, Linda Mood Bell, and Everybody Can Read. We offer comprehensive social skills training to teach students to recognize social cues, communicate effectively, interact with a group, and build successful peer relationships. And our unique behavioral management system directs students to control their impulses, accept responsibility, and self-monitor their behavior.

Above all else, we are committed to the success of all of our students, so we design our curriculums and initiatives to focus on the specific learning strengths and needs of each child, and then we implement these customized educational plans in a warm and nurturing environment characterized by small class sizes, personal attention, and positive reinforcement. By adopting such an individualized approach, we’re able to meet all students at their particular performance level and create new pathways to higher levels of academic achievement and skills acquisition.

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Back to School 2010 - 2011 NEWS:

Open House

2010 Fine Arts Festival

The High Road Schools of CT held their second annual Fine Arts Festival on May 14, 2010 at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Meriden. The festival brings together all of the schools in the CT region to showcase their art work and creative talents.

The Fine Arts Festival is a culmination of a yearly school project called m-map. It is the Masters March Activity Project which integrates the fine arts into all of the academic disciplines. Norwalk teacher, Pamela Thompson, coordinates the projects for the entire region. Students, as always, are encouraged to “celebrate, cultivate, and challenge, the mind”, which was the slogan adorned on tee-shirts made by Transition Coordinator, Kathy Szabat and the Upper school students for all the student participants.

This year’s theme was “Finding Your Voice.”  One stand out project included a dinner party where each student invited a person of their choice to the dinner table. Each student designed the place settings for their special guest and also wrote a conversation that they think they might take place. The variety of guests included Martin Luther King, Jr., James Bond, Barack Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

Besides all of the creative and inspiring art work, students also had an opportunity to show off their musical talents!  Students sang a variety of contemporary songs, as well as, writing and performing original rap songs and skits. A few students also accompanied their performance with guitar or keyboard.

This year the Arts Festival drew close to 300 people including students, parents, district heads and friends. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the art work and was energized by the students’ performances.

The Festival culminated with some fun interactive dancing led by Broadway dancer, Hally McGehean. Ms. McGehean led the students in some line dances including the Cupid Shuffle backed by our very own staff D.J. Jeff Benham.

Walk for Autism

On Sunday, May 2, 2010, staff from the High Road Student Learning Center (Upper and Lower/Intermediate schools) participated in the 12th annual Walk for Autism, sponsored by the Autism Spectrum Resource Center and held on the grounds of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT.

The ASRC is a non-profit organization that serves all individuals of all ages across the spectrum, as well as their families and the professionals who work with them. They offer professional and family training, development of new resources statewide, community awareness, advocacy training and much more!
All proceeds from the walk go to fund the many programs and services that the agency provides to the autism community.

As well as the 2.5 mile walk through historic downtown Wallingford, there were many booths and activities before and after the walk for families along with a music and food.

New this year, was an art booth for young artists. Connor from the High Road Student Learning Center Lower Intermediate School and Samy from the Upper school had a great time displaying their art and even sold some of their drawings.

Patches of Hope

Community service week was November 16-20 in the lower/intermediate school. As part of the project, Ms. Turcotte’s class made two blankets, one adult and one child size. The ultra soft, cozy fleece is warm and comforting for the cold winter season. 

The idea originated from a reading selection in an anthology book during class, along with brainstorming sessions on how to help others. Both blankets have a “Patch of Hope” which each student personally hand crafted for the blanket. Each patch contains an illustration, word, or phrase to raise someone’s spirit. The completed blankets were donated to a shelter to help keep two people warm, on the inside and out, with soothing softness and inspiring words of hope. 

Student Spotlight

Connor M. an 8th grader has been attending High Road Student Learning Center lower intermediate school for two years.  Since coming to High Road he has connected to other students and made some real friends. Connor found it easier to reach out to students here who have also had difficulties in the past with social skills.  He also finds that he has more common interests with other High Road students. Connor expressed that he enjoys the smaller classes at High Road because he receives more one- on- one attention from the teachers and this has helped him with his school work.

This month, Mr. Sansolo, school social worker has been highlighting Connor’s artwork, because they are outstanding with details. According to Connor, he always liked his artwork yet felt he could do better. “So I practiced on my own, I never had a lesson; every drawing comes from my imagination and my own natural talent,” Connor explained.  And in this past year his drawings have become stand out work.

The inspiration for his drawings comes from things that interest him like trains, coal and uranium mines, the sea, and comic book like horror characters.  He can finish a drawing sometimes in half a day, but usually it takes about a day to complete each one.  He is hoping to have a career in illustrating because he enjoys the drawing so much.

Due to Connor’s love of the sea, many of his drawings are seascapes. His goal after High Road school is to transition to a magnet school so he can learn more about marine life.

By witnessing Connor’s perseverance with his art work and the success he has shown at High Road, we are confident he can achieve his future goals.

Fall Family Fun Day

On Friday, October 23, 2009 The High Road Schools of CT held a Fall Family Fun Day at Plaskos Farm in Trumbull, CT. Students, staff, and their families were invited to "come on down" to the farm for a hay ride, corn maze, and a pumpkin to take home. It was a wonderful opportunity for all of our schools (Wallingford, Norwalk and Waterbury campuses) to come together to meet one another and enjoy some old fashion fall activities for the afternoon!
 
All participants also enjoyed a visit to the country store for some fresh apple cider, cider donuts or ice cream. A fun afternoon was had by all.

Highlighting Programming for Students with Classic Autism

High Road Student Learning Center Lower Intermediate school recently completed renovations in time to greet the New Year with a brand new sensory - motor room and redesigned classrooms. The lower school can now proudly claim that it is the only private non-public special education program in the region with embedded intensive interventions and services for students with classic autism while also providing them with opportunities to interact with a verbal and social student population. Openings are now available for grades K- 8.

Our highly trained team of special educators addresses the core deficits of autism spectrum disorders: communication, behavior, and social skills. We design and implement individualized programs to meet the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of each child. By strengthening executive functioning, theory of mind, and central coherence, students develop social understanding, coping skills, organization techniques, and independence in order to live a richer and fuller life. 

The hallmark of our programs include small staff-to-student ratio with class sizes of 8-10 students with integrated technology in every classroom. Other amenities include a sensory room, recreation equipment, art, music, clubs, and field trips.

All of our academic programs align with Connecticut state standards and the students under go a pre- and post academic assessment. Math and reading programs are individualized with a one on one tutorial-style teaching method based on the student’s skill level. Group activities are also incorporated into the schedule with many hands on learning opportunities to provide a multi-sensory learning approach. 

In addition to academics, there is strong emphasis on social skills, which includes but is not limited to, pre-teaching strategies, social stories and scripting. Through the daily social skills classes the students learn various coping techniques that help them deal with their anxieties, anger management issues, and relationship development. 

A comprehensive behavioral program is also in place to address high frequency behaviors. A color coded behavior level system and token economy are implemented through out the school to provide consistency and structure to the school community. Behavioral ratings scales are used to target specific behaviors in order to develop a Behavior Individualized Plan (BIP) with positive reinforcements. 

All related services are made available to the students such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work.

High Road is committed to working with such a diverse student population to meet the ever growing needs of students on the autism spectrum, along side our broad based population whom we have served for over 30 years.

1st Student Government Campaign!

High Road Student Learning Center is proud to report that the first student government campaign was an absolute success! The students rose to the challenge when announced that there was going to be a student government for the 09-10 school year.  There were many students who ran for office and campaigned hard with their posters and well written speeches.  It was a very close race when it came time to vote with the school president only winning by one vote!  All of the students were very gracious in how they either accepted their victory or defeat, congratulating one another on a race well run.   They have already had their first meeting and proved that they will be excellent decision makers for the school.  The school is truly looking forward to a wonderful year with its new appointed student government.

Related Services 

High Road Schools help the students to make the most of learning opportunities by staffing certified specialists to help each student with additional support as needed.

Our speech and language therapy program includes a coordinated and individualized approach. In group work, as well as individually, our certified speech therapists help the student to correctly produce the sounds in words, increase speech intelligibility, develop vocabulary knowledge and understanding, and utilize appropriate conversational skills. Emphasis is placed on pragmatics; such as turn taking, topic maintenance, asking appropriate questions, and socialization.   Also, grammar, syntax, and written expression are addressed.

Our occupational therapists help students with sensory, perceptual, and motor problems better meet the daily demands of their environment. She uses directed play as the primary method of treatment; however, classroom consultation directly with teachers and assistants regarding the student’s abilities is also key to their success. Directed play includes activities such as mazes or target games to develop the student’s eye and hand coordination or ball games to increase coordination between two sides of the body.  Through the use of movement, touch, and other functional activities, the student better develops the responses needed to function in the classroom, home, and community environments.  As the child ages and his or her needs change, the focus is on the acquisition of specific skills.  These can include learning to measure baking ingredients, personal care, or crossing busy streets, depending on the student’s abilities.

Our social workers help students with emotional and social growth issues.  They focuses on helping the student develop age-appropriate skills and behaviors for the classroom.  Through the use of recreational and other activities, they assist students in building self-esteem, applying social skills, and practicing leadership and team participation.  The students are seen individually and in small group sessions.  It is also not unusual to find social workers in the classroom leading social skills activities.

A consulting psychologist and behaviorist are also available on an as needed basis.

At High Road Student Schools all related services personnel work closely with the classroom teachers to assure integration into all classroom activities.

Success with Asperger’s Syndrome

The staff at the High Road Student Learning Center in Wallingford view the process of working with students that have Asperger’s Syndrome as all pulling together to ensure optimal results and success. We have implemented a comprehensive program that incorporates learning, adaptation, and behavior modification. 

Asperger’s Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder characterized by serious deficiencies in social and communicative skills.  The syndrome primarily affects boys and is signified by average to above-average intelligence and superior rote memory.

Students with Asperger’s have difficulty separating rational and irrational feelings and differentiating intent from incidence.  Moreover, they are generally self-absorbed and feel singled out, causing difficulties with everyday situations and the formation of relationships.

On a daily basis, all students, including children with Asperger’s Syndrome, participate in a social skills program designed to address the social and communication issues that they face.  Themes include reacting to disappointment, defining affected behavior, and understanding the notion of fair vs. unfair.  Some of the methods used in a group setting are discussions; activity based projects, role-playing, scenarios and learned rules and behaviors.  To ensure communication across the board, we also utilize communication logs with parents, have staff meetings, and consult closely with related service personnel. 

In addition, our school social workers, conducts small group discussions to develop group dynamics and sportsmanship skills.  They also visits the classrooms to conduct formal lessons, and assist in integrating learned skills into classroom routine.

Students are given he opportunity to practice skills that are learned in the classroom, out in the community or on field trips.  Our students feel comfortable and supported venturing into the public, whether to go on a grocery shopping excursion or to dine in a restaurant. 

Additional services include individual counseling sessions for group participation preparation, and Speech Therapy, to strengthen communication skills.

Progress is seen as a continuum, extending through every phase of the child’s school day, and reinforced at home.  Success is contingent on this entire circle of support, therefore, improving self-image and positively modifying behavior.  Thus, the possibility of successful relationships and friendships are enhanced.  Although it is difficult for these children to form friendships on their own, they are able to do so in the safe, non-threatening atmosphere provided at High Road Student Learning Center’s lower-intermediate and upper schools.

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Dear parents and guardians,
              
            Hello and welcome to the 2010-2011 school year!  We hope that you all had a very restful and fun filled summer.  We are so looking forward to another wonderful year at High Road Student Learning Center.  We have a great year planned and to kick it off we will be having Student Government campaigns and elections for those students who would like to participate.  We also have scheduled our back to school night for September 15th so mark your calendars! Look for a flyer coming home when we get closer to the date. During back to school night we will be holding a book fair, so there will be a variety of books available for purchase.  This night will be a great opportunity to see your child’s classroom and meet with their teacher. We hope to see you all there!
            Lastly, it is important that each of the students know who their teacher will be this year.  What is truly wonderful here at High Road is that all students and teachers know each other so even if your teacher has changed from last year you should be familiar with your new one.  We hope that you all enjoy the last days of summer and we look forward to seeing you come September 2nd!


                                                                                                     Sincerely,
                                                                                                     The High Road Staff

IEP Management System

High Road Schools of CT is pleased to announce the implementation of IEP Direct web based management system in our Norwalk, Wallingford, and Waterbury locations. The utilization of this program will better serve the needs of districts and students with more efficiency and accuracy in creating individual educational plans.

For more information about the High Road Schools of CT, please contact Carol Revill, Outreach Coordinator @ 203-294-9139 or Brooke Violante, Chief School Director @ 203-840-1030.

Extended School Year

High Roads Schools of CT accepts referrals for our Extended School Year Program
(summer school) from local school districts. The ESY programs are available to our existing students who qualify, as well as, classified students who do not attend our schools during the regular school year.

Each child who is enrolled in the Extended School Year program will receive individual and small group instruction based on their current school year I.E.P. The extended year program addresses academic and social skill maintenance, transitional services (16 years and older), and enrichment activities. Speech and language, occupational and physical therapies, as well as social work services are provided for those who require them.

The school day for extended year is 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. and the program runs Monday – Friday for approximately 6 weeks.

2010 Extended School Year Dates

Starting Thursday, July 1, 2010 - Friday, August 13, 2010.
No school on Monday, July 5 due to July 4th observance.