The Rise School of Austin

Description

Begun in 2003, the Rise School of Austin program is designed to prepare its students for their next learning environment. For students with developmental disabilities, the goal is to provide them the opportunity to be mainstreamed or included into regular public education classrooms.

Rise Austin provides inclusive classrooms, where children with developmental disabilities learn alongside their typically developing peers. Each classroom has a lead teacher who is required to have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education or a related discipline. Each classroom also has two teaching assistants, creating a low teacher to student reation of 1 to 3 and allowing the program to be individualized.

Therapy services make up the foundation of the curriculum and are provided to all students at no extra cost to tuition. A dedicated team of therapists in speech/development, physical, occupational, and music therapies work with the students throughout the week. They also consult with the teachers to integrate therapy services in daily classroom activities.

The school operates full-time: 6 1/2 hours a day, 5 days a week, 11 months a year.