Services Offered at The Laura Cushman Academy
The goal of The Laura Cushman Academy is to accommodate the unique learning styles of each student and to provide the most effective, appropriate instruction for each student. The student then can return to the full program of The Cushman School when appropriate. A full range of specialized instruction designed to meet the needs of the specifically learning disabled students in preschool through grade 8 is provided. The LCA serves students of average to above average intelligence who have been diagnosed with a specific learning disability.
The multiage primary school class is a full inclusion class, in which half of the students are typically developing and half have diagnosed issues. In grades K through 6, each classroom has approximately twelve students, taught by two specially trained teachers. All teachers are highly trained and many teachers have advanced degrees in special education. A main goal is to provide a clinical program for these students, but within the context of The Cushman School philosophy and atmosphere. The Middle School program within the LCA continues to follow the mainstream curriculum while providing an individualized program with clinical support. Students in the Middle School program are integrated into the mainstream several hours a day for advisory, elective, social studies, lunch and P.E. Each student spends several hours each week within The Cushman School’s mainstream classes participating in activities. Each student also has the opportunity to participate in after school activities, such as playground, study hall, after school sports and clubs.
A multiage primary school class is a full inclusion class and is comprised of typically developing students and students with learning issues. The class will benefit students with auditory and/or visual processing difficulties, sensory integration issues, as well as language issues. The program also will benefit typically developing students due to the richness of the programming, as well as the student teacher ratio. The multiage class is taught by two educators, a specialist in early childhood development and a special educator. The curriculum is language based and interspersed with appropriate multisensory activities designed to benefit all students. Diagnostic-prescriptive instruction in language based units is supplemented by speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. Speech and language therapy occurs in groups during center time each day. Occupational therapy includes sensory integration activities as well as support in our physical education program. All students will participate in Cushman School activities (music, science lab, library, computers, art, yoga) as well as therapy activities. A classroom aide will be available to assist teachers and students throughout each day.
In all grades, instruction is diagnostic-prescriptive. Each student is formally evaluated by the staff twice each academic year. In the fall, student achievements over the summer are noted and each student’s individualized education program is fully detailed. Memory, processing, attention, achievement, and needs in specific academic areas will be documented. Appropriate instruction is planned and implemented. In the spring, each student is re-evaluated to document progress and plan for the coming summer and academic year.
Remediation - Each student in grades K-6 attends remediation for ninety minutes each week for individual support in specified content areas. This helps to build on a child’s foundation of learning.
Physical Education - Physical education classes are attended daily with the mainstream class. P.E. provides students with practice in following directions, completing tasks, general attention and energy control and gross and fine motor development.
Computer Class - The students in grades K through 8 participate in “Lexia,” an interactive computer program that monitors students’ reading skills. The program is designed to meet each student at his/her reading level. The program tracks student progress and produces teacher reports that indicate each student’s strengths and weaknesses.
Science Lab - Hands on exploration of physical and natural science occurs each week. The science lab is fully equipped with all materials necessary.
Library - The Cushman School Library contains a variety of fiction and nonfiction books as well as appropriate research materials. Students have access to information in standard encyclopedias and on-line information and C.D. ROM encyclopedias. Each student is taught and encouraged to use appropriate library research and organizational skills. Children are allowed to check out books for a period of time.
Enrichment Classes - Virtues, Art, Music and Drama not only enrich the curriculum, but provide an outlet for creativity and emotion. Art is attended for one hour weekly and Music is provided for an hour and a half weekly. Drama is provided as needed to participate in assemblies and other special presentations. Students participate with their mainstream class for these enrichment classes.
Occupational Therapy - A multi-modal approach to diagnostics and instruction is provided by a full time occupational therapist. Group therapy includes fine/gross motor planning and execution, gross motor skills and sensory integration. More time for sensory integration therapy is allotted in the classes for younger students. Therapy that requires individual sessions can be scheduled with The Laura Cushman Academy’s Occupational Therapist at additional cost, or with the Occupational Therapist chosen by the family.
Yoga - The benefits of yoga are creating a foundation for well being, increased focus and attention span, increased motor planning ability and the fostering of creativity and imagination. Group yoga sessions help improve self regulation skills, body awareness, development of core musculature and flexibility, therapeutic breathing patterns and motor sequencing. Individual yoga is not included in tuition but is available on campus during the day and is provided by independent yoga instructors
Speech and Language - Speech and language therapy is taught by the Speech/Language Pathologist who functions as one of the teachers and is taught several times weekly. The Story Grammar Marker, a manipulative designed to help improve oral and written language, is utilized in therapy. A Speech and Language Pathologist provides baseline measures of each student’s speech and language skills annually. In addition, the Speech and Language Pathologist consults with teachers and holds group sessions emphasizing language and its most appropriate usage and comprehension skills. Individual therapy is not included in tuition but is available on campus during the day and is provided by independent therapists.
Organization Skills - Organizational skills are stressed. Students in grades K-8 use a customized assignment/planning book. Students are carefully taught how to utilize organization skills to relieve the load on memory, as well as to become more effective students.
Homework - Homework is given to students in grades 2-8 daily. Homework is assigned for practice and to teach responsibility. Older students may be assigned long term projects that may require weekend work. Each student is given a homework folder. Each student is required to fill the folder with the evening’s work, carefully writing each assignment in the assignment/planning book. The folder is to be returned to the teacher each morning.
Report Cards - Developmental Learning Summaries are reports that are issued quarterly and detail a child’s progress. Parent conferences (Fall/Spring Update Meetings) are held twice a year. These meetings are fully staffed (i.e. all the professionals pertinent to each student). The goal of this meeting is to review progress and plan for instruction in the following months. Each student is fully assessed by the staff prior to these meetings and the testing results are shared.