Population:
The Cedar Ridge School Type I Special Education program provides full-day Special Education and related services to male students in grades 1-12 with an emotional disability and/or other health impairments (such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Other disabilities served may include Autism, Learning Disabilities and Intellectual Disabilities. Eligibility for this program is determined through the assessments, goals, supplementary aids, and services listed in the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) generated by the referring public school system. The Cedar Ridge School Type I General Education Program serves male students in grades 7-12 who require a general education setting. The combined maximum capacity for these two programs is 63 students.
Program Description:
The school provides instruction in Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education and Related Arts to grades 1-8, and instruction in high school credit courses required for graduation to students in grades 9-12. The school also offers services to students who are working towards a certificate of completion.
The school program provides individual and group counseling, which may include therapeutic horseback riding and/or other forms of animal assisted therapy, such as access to one or more of the school dogs. We endeavor to assist our students to work through traumatic experiences and develop greater confidence in making good choices that will help them better navigate the school environment.
Students in Maryland must engage in service learning as part of their graduation requirements. The school program endeavors to provide meaningful opportunities for students to complete service projects both on campus and when possible, in the community and areas surrounding the school’s location.
The school is committed to providing a nurturing environment with emphasis on building therapeutic relationships within a highly structured, small group setting with access to crisis and counseling supports.
Making a positive difference… one life at a time
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Physical Facilities:
The physical plant provides a full-sized gym equipped with lockers and showers. The school building includes six classrooms (each with its own bathroom), several quiet rooms, a sensory room, a multi-purpose room, a media center, administrative offices, and a dining area with kitchen facilities.
Cedar Ridge School uses the natural curiosity of children to teach math, reading, and critical thinking skills.
We provide:
- A gifted teaching staff
- Small class sizes
- Varied instruction
Cedar Ridge School takes a whole-child approach to education. Teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff work together to meet the intellectual, social, behavioral, and emotional needs of every child we serve.
Personnel:
Our teachers hold a Maryland state teaching certificate in Special Education. Several teachers are also certified in special content areas to serve students in our General Education program. Teaching assistants employed by the school have either passed an approved paraprofessional exam or have sufficient post-high school education to meet state requirements. The school has access to nursing staff employed by Cedar Ridge Children’s Home and School, Inc. The school also employs school social workers with the certification required by the state. Speech and Occupational Services are typically provided by Washington County Public Schools.
Staff is trained in state approved crisis intervention that includes positive behavioral supports, functional behavioral assessments, behavioral intervention plans, de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, and suicide and sexual abuse prevention.
Purpose:
Cedar Ridge School serves male students within two integrated programs: Type I Special Education Program and Type I General Education Program. The Cedar Ridge School program aims to equip each student with the necessary strengths to succeed in a less restrictive environment, such as a public school setting. Our program seeks to provide opportunities to experience academic, social, and personal success by helping students practice positive coping skills and healthy ways to enjoy interactions with peers and adults.
Welcome to Cedar Ridge School