Special Education Services
Wayside Academy
Science Classroom, Wayside Academy
Scoreboard on the field at Wayside Campus
Contact: Allison Alter, M.Ed, LCSW, Assistant Principal, 508-270-1342
A therapeutic special educational environment for adolescents with special learning needs. Offers a high staff to student ratio, small, structured classrooms, a 12 month/220 day school calendar, individualized education planning, a comprehensive behavior management system, clinical support services and MCAS preparation.
Helpful Documents (Click to download)
Wayside Academy Handbook 2011-2012
Facts at a glance
Wayside Academy is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a private special education school for students with complex emotional and. behavioral difficulties, grades 6-12.
Wayside Academy is a co-educational program for 36 adolescents from 16 different municipalities within the Commonwealth.
Referrals are accepted throughout the year for the day and residential program.
Wayside Academy is a 12 month program composed of: 220 day school year, residence 365 days
Wayside Academy offers a 45 Day Interim Alternative Placement designed to stabilize behavior within the context of a comprehensive therapeutic setting.
Wayside has the capacity to accept emergency and weekend admissions.
Wayside Academy does not discriminate placement or participation in programs on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender and/or sexual orientation.
All students have access to a full array of clinical services, including individual, family and group counseling, psychopharmacological evaluation, medication management and testing services.
Population Served
Students that benefit from placement at Wayside Academy have histories of behavioral difficulties and emotional impairments. Many have experienced trauma and neglect and have been involved with Department of Children and Family Services and the court system.
Admissions Policy and Criteria for Acceptance
Wayside Academy accepts referrals for male and female students, grades 6-12, for placement in the day and/or residential program throughout the year. Wayside youth and Family Support Network has the capacity to accept emergency and weekend admissions. Admissions policies and procedures are designed to ensure the appropriate match between the prospective student, the program and the school’s mission. The Principal of Wayside Academy is responsible for maintaining the admissions process. Professionals representing a multidisciplinary team may be included upon request of the Principal. Wayside Academy is sensitive to the importance of treating all information in a confidential manner.
Wayside Academy does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or physical disability.
Criteria for Acceptance
Wayside Academy provides a therapeutic educational program for students identified as having significant emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Students accepted at Wayside Academy have been diagnosed with Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Impulse-Control Disorders, and Reactive Attachment Disorder.
Associated features of Learning Disabilities and academic deficits are common to the students that benefit from Wayside Academy.
Referrals
Referrals are accepted from LEAs, parents, mental health agencies, social services agencies, and other concerned parties. After the required material has been submitted to the Principal, an interview is arranged for the student, parents, and any worker involved. Referral packets and inquiry should be directed to the Principal of Wayside Academy.
A completed packet includes:
Psychological Report
Educational Assessment
Speech/Language Assessment, if applicable
Report Card (Middle School Student)
Transcript (High School Student)
MCAS Results
Treatment Summary, if applicable
Release Forms
IEP and Progress Reports for current year, if applicable
Disciplinary Records
Medical Records (i.e. vaccinations, vision and hearing tests, etc.)
Other (i.e. agency reports)
Location & Facilities
Wayside Campus, Framingham
In April 2009 Wayside Youth and Family Support Network consolidated select programs and services and moved into a beautiful new facility in Framingham. Students attending Wayside Academy have access to spacious new classrooms, library, computer lab, art room, state of the art gymnasium, playing fields and cafeteria. The space was designed to provide private space for counselors and safe, secure time-out areas that comply with all regulations and best professional practices. Residential students, organized in houses and assigned private bedrooms, benefit from attractive living areas and access to kitchen facilities, dining area and all other Campus resources.
Programs & Services
Day Placement: Students enrolled in school are offered comprehensive academic instruction in the core content areas, art, physical education, health, vocational and post-secondary planning, and remedial support. Students benefits from an array of clinical services and behavior interventions. Physical restraints are included in the behavior management protocol. The new facility and additional resources have strengthened alignment to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
Residential Placement: The residential program provides supervision, support 365 days each year for students requiring this level of care. Emergency services are available when needed.
Helpful Documents
Interim Assessment Program (IAP)
Contact: Allison Alter, M.Ed, LCSW, Assistant Principal, 508-270-1342
Wayside Academy provides a 45-Day Interim Assessment Program (IAP) for middle and high school students demonstrating significant emotional and behavioral difficulties within the school setting. Students referred for placement present with complex clinical and educational histories that have caused them to violate the school discipline code, be ineffective students and/or be resistant to attending school. Some have been temporarily excluded; others may be in transition between placements. Given the nature of the population, physical restraints are included in the behavior management protocol at Wayside Academy.
The IAP is designed to stabilize behavior within the context of a comprehensive therapeutic educational setting and provide information to assist the public school in developing an appropriate educational program for the student. Students placed at Wayside IAP benefit from the expertise of a multi-discipline team of professionals trained to assess academic, emotional and behavioral functioning. Referrals are initiated by the public schools. Contact your child’s school or Wayside for more information.
Goals of the IAP
The major goals of placement are:
To stabilize behavior and provide a clinical profile of student functioning;
To provide a Functional Behavioral Assessment and recommendations for intervention and management strategies;
To assess academic skills and provide a profile of levels of mastery and learning style that will contribute to school functioning;
To provide recommendations for transition services to support the student, family, and the school;
To support the student in reaching a better understanding of their problems, increasing control over his or her impulses, and improving his or her academic functioning
Program Design
The IAP is a component of the Wayside Academy, an approved private special education day school. Wayside Academy provides a structured, therapeutic academic setting tailored to address the referral questions and presenting individual needs. Instruction is available in predominately the math and English curricula areas, and can be guided by curriculum of all academic content areas of the referring school district. Academic instruction occurs in small groups and individualized sessions. Creative art and a rigorous physical education program are an integral part of the program. Each day students participate in a clinical group designed to enhance social skills, their emotional world, and coping skills. Parents/guardians are expected to be involved with the professionals working with their child.
Recommendations and Transition
At the conclusion of the IAP, the Team, composed of professionals from Wayside Youth and Family Support Network/Wayside Academy, the referring public school, and the family meet to review the assessment reports and develop a plan for transition to an appropriate educational setting. Participation of advocates, agency representatives or other professionals is determined by each case.
Additional Assessment
Upon request, the clinical staff can complete psychiatric and psychopharmacological assessments.
Helpful Documents
Wayside Youth & Family Support Network
1 Frederick Abbott Way Framingham, MA 01701
PH:508-879-9800 FAX:508-875-1348
www.waysideyouth.org
