Education
Educational Services are a core component of the array of services offered at Pressley Ridge. For all children, school serves as the setting in which valuable learning occurs: relationships are established, key values are transferred or reinforced, and learning opportunities abound.
The primary goal of our educational programs is to provide intensive, relatively short term educational and successfully adjust to and cope with their everyday environment, thereby facilitating their ultimate return to the public school setting.
Education Model Principles
Learning at Pressley Ridge is interactive, individualized and holistic. The education program is designed with high expectations of appropriate behavior, success and joy. The evaluation of learning is not solely defined by letter grades. We seek to infuse the process of learning and achievement with joy so that our students become "life-long learners."
Competence and mastery are achievable for every youth. Achievement is measured by looking at where the youth is at the beginning of the school year, and measuring the change that occurs during the course of the year. We celebrate academic progress, no matter how great or small.
Youth have a right to a full and exceptional education. This guiding principle builds on the first in that it reflects our high expectations that all youth have the ability to learn. It is Pressley Ridge's responsibility to find the right approach for that learning to occur.
The Teacher/Counselor (T/C) is central to the success of the youth. Finding joy in teaching, enjoying the students, and believing that all students are capable of achieving their potential, our T/Cs do their best to ensure that the youth experience success every day.The teacher/counselor is a change agent in the student's life.
Educational interventions build on ecosystem strengths. Understanding and successfully intervening with troubled youth requires systematic assessment of the youth's environment or ecosystem. Making many small changes in a poorly functioning ecosystem can restore the balance and positively affect the child.
Education Services
DaySchool
Our Approved Private School program provides intensive educational and mental health treatment services allowing children with serious emotional disturbances and/or behavioral disorders to successfully adjust to and effectively function in their home, school and community environments.
School for the Deaf
Our year-round education program offers academic services for deaf youth, grades 1st through 12th, who also experience emotional and behavioral difficulties.This is a state-licensed academic program staffed by Pennsylvania state-certified teachers and mental health specialists in each classroom.
DaySchool for Autism
Our private academic school provides intensive educational and behavioral interventions for students with behavior disorders and autism spectrum disorders to successfully increase participation in their home, school and community environments.