Impacting the Lives of Our Future Leaders

THE NEED FOR ELEMENTARY LEVEL ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION
Are children in elementary school ever suspended or expelled?
Last week a fourth grader cursed at his teacher and received a one day suspension.  Yesterday, he became angry because he couldn’t remember his multiplication facts, threw his book across the room, upset his desk, and walked out of class.  He was suspended for three days.
A third grade student brought a knife to school.  School policy dictates expulsion for 45 days, homebound instruction, and mandatory counseling.  The number of homebound instruction and counseling hours per week do not add up to one full day of school.
 Are parents, schools, and communities concerned about children losing instructional time?
Administrators and teachers sadly recognize that excluding a child from school eliminates the opportunity to provide a quality education, after school tutoring, and an overall positive school experience.
Research further suggests that multiple suspensions and expulsion during the elementary school years can lead to school apathy, truancy, continued disruptive behaviors, academic failure, and eventually, dropping out of school. 
Is there a solution available that holds the child accountable for his actions, yet addresses his educational, emotional, social, and behavioral needs?
Impact Academy is a licensed private first through fifth grade school specifically designed to provide an alternative placement for children who are academic underachievers, display disruptive school behaviors, or have been expelled from their sending districts.  One of Impact’s slogans, “we are the beginning, not the end,” refers to our overarching philosophy:

  • We provide a small, nurturing environment that is conducive to the child’s attitude and behavior change;
  • We include project based learning and high interest materials within our state-approved curriculum that will increase the child’s academic levels;
  • We celebrate with the child and family when goals to return to the home school have been met, and provide the guidance to ensure that the transition is successful.

 

THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM
Impact Academy believes that inappropriate behaviors are often a result of underlying issues that have escalated over time. Our therapeutic program focuses on the whole child and can include significant family members.  Under the direction of a certified psychologist, social worker, and guidance counselor, we provide a plethora of supports and specialized programs that include:

  • Individual and/or family therapy
  • Specific issue group counseling
  • Home visits
  • By - weekly goal review
  • Weekly target behaviors
  • Trenches program
  • Behavior modification positive reward programs
  • Passport system that connects the family and school daily   
  • Case Management
  • Partnerships with local agencies for specific needs, including medication management, that can be maintained after discharge

EDUCATION PROGRAM
Impact Academy’s educational program is geared towards the individual child.  The school is licensed to accept students who are enrolled in regular classes and those in learning or emotional support programs.  Upon admission, students are tested to ascertain strengths, weaknesses, and possible gaps in academic skills.  The teacher, psychologist, parent and home school then develop a plan that meets the child’s unique needs and sets goals for the child to achieve.
The education program consists of:

  • Pennsylvania certified teachers
  • Experienced behavior coordinators
  • 1 to 5 staff to student ratio
  • Instructional and support materials based on the Pennsylvania Academic Standards
  • Project-based learning
  • State of the art technology
  • PSSA testing preparation
  • Special Education evaluations
  • English as a Second Language services
  • Physical Education classes conducted at on-site and off-site facilities

 

OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

  • Van transportation to and from school that provides school contact with the parents daily.
  • Free breakfast and lunch program
  • Regularly scheduled reviews with the home school, parent/guardian, student, teacher, behavior coordinator, psychologist, social worker, guidance counselor, and appropriate agencies.
  • P.U.S.H. Program, a specialized therapeutic class designed for students who demonstrate difficulty within the regular Impact program.
  • Individualized transition plans for students returning to their home school.
  • Follow-up services for students and parents once the child has returned to the home school.
  • Short-term pull-back services for students experiencing adjustment issues after returning to their home school.
  • Collaboration with the home school if a child is in need of a more restrictive program

TO ENROLL
School districts, charter schools, and private schools may enroll a child by contacting Impact Academy at 717-845-4046 and requesting an application.  The following documentation must be faxed, mailed or delivered:

  • Completed application
  • Immunization records
  • Birth certificate
  • Social security card
  • Parent/child insurance information
  • All regular education and/or special education records
  • Behavior records  
Upon receipt of the above documents, an Intake Meeting will be scheduled with the student, parent/guardian, referring person, and Impact Academy staff.  Acceptance will be determined at the Intake Meeting.