The High Road (Primary/Middle) School of Prince George’s County specializes in educating students  (grades 2-12) with mild to severe emotional/ behavioral difficulties and the related learning challenges that often accompany them. From the start, we’ve been committed above all else to making each student feel successful in all areas of life — in the classroom, at home, and in the community — through scholastic achievement and improved self‐esteem. As such, all of our programs and initiatives focus on providing targeted emotional support and academic instruction to fulfill students’ immediate and long‐term goals.

To accomplish this, we take the time to get to know each of our students, we indentify the teaching styles most appropriate to their needs, and we custom‐tailor an individualized educational plan to address their particular challenges and highlight their particular strengths and aptitudes. We then implement these personalized plans in a highly structured and nurturing setting that features small class sizes, one‐on‐one interactive learning, comprehensive behavior management, and an effective rotational model of classroom instruction.

Given the special needs of our student body, we also offer supplementary services on an as‐needed basis which include counseling, speech and language therapy and occupation therapy.   We employ highly skilled and wholly dedicated special educators, ensuring that each child receives the specific types of attention and intervention they require for their ongoing development and growth.

Mark Your Calendars

April 26, 2012 - 7th Annual Fine Arts Festival
May 10, 2012 - Regional Career Fair
May 18, 2012 - Junior/Senior Prom
June 11, 2012 - Graduation

Staff Member of the Month!!

Staff Highlight
Ms. Ba

Recently, the Elementary and Middle School Staff chose a Staff Member of the Month for January among their peers.  Through a private ballot, the winner of the January Staff Member of the Month was announced as Ms. Ba.

Ms. Ba, a middle school teacher, has demonstrated her commitment and work ethic over and over again  As her name was announced over the pa system, cheers went out for Ms. Ba.  Some Staff said that, “Ms. Ba definitely deserved it” and “She has done so very well.  She hit the ground running, she has taken on the middle school class very well especially with all the different levels and she gets along great with all the staff!” Ms. Ba said she was very surprised about receiving the award. She kept a smile on her face the rest of the day. Once again congrats to Ms. Ba and keep up the great work!

Story By: Mrs. Bankard

Are you Smarter Than… 

Based on the popular T.V. show “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader,” the staff and students in the primary/ middle school decided to create their own version of the game. Two groups of 3 students and two groups of 3 staff members consisting of other guest present at the event went against one another in the battle of whist!

Their version of the network sensation, was a smash hit.  In attendance were the Primary and middle school students ranging from grades 3-8 along with Parents, teachers, teacher assistants, aides, and social workers along with Keith White, Regional Director and Carmen McGinnis, Director

Game Action included Regional Director Mr. White and one of our 6th grade students Kauran Johnson who were tied in the 1st round of the game!  In the end, it was the primary and middle school students showed how smart they were and won the game! Congratulations!

Check Us Out

If you haven't visited our school, please come and visit.  With a new year comes new changes.  For our Elementary/Middle Program, we have lots to boast about starting with occupying the entire upper floor.  In addition, our students are also benefitting from...

Science Lab
Sensory Room
Newly Painted & Renovated Lobby

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Getting Technologically SMARTer

The High Road School - Elementary/Middle is eagerly awaiting the arrival of SMART Boards for our classrooms.  SMART Board Technology http://smarttech.com/smartboard will allow our teachers to provide a wide range of teaching materials and techniques through this interactive white board.  Further details are COMING SOON.

The Sensory Room

The related service team is pleased to begin incorporating a Sensory/Activity room into the therapeutic process for our students.  “Sensory Room” is an umbrella term used to categorize a broad variety of therapeutic spaces specifically designed to promote self-organization and positive change.  Items used in the room will allow students to practice crisis de-escalation strategies and will help promote self-care and resilience.  We hope the room will not only accommodate the needs of our existing population, but will provide the necessary resources to attract students with more diverse disabilities.

The Sensory/Activity room will be available to all related service providers from Social Workers to Speech/Language Pathologists to Occupational Therapists.  The students will be able to access the resources in the room when accompanied by a related service provider as a means of promoting nurturance and engagement in the therapeutic process.

The Sensory/Activity room currently consists of an art station with an easel and various art mediums; a board game station equipped with comfortable bean bag chairs; a meditation station with a yoga mat, sound machine, aromatherapy machine and balance board; as well as, an interactive game station including a Wii console.  The related service team hopes to continue building the room with more accessories, as the students’ needs increase.

Tip Off Is Coming

The 2012 High Road Basketball Season is getting set to tip off.  Check back for additional details and game results throughout the season.

Mark Your Calendars

April 26, 2012 - 7th Annual Fine Arts Festival
May 10, 2012 - Regional Career Fair
May 18, 2012 - Junior/Senior Prom
June 11, 2012 - Graduation

2011 Michael Cardin Scholarship Winners

Five Students of High Road Schools earn Scholarships
Please click here for more information

The Michael Cardin Scholarship Fund was established in honor of Michael Cardin in memory of his extraordinary volunteerism and his support in the service of children with special needs.  The purpose of this fund is to provide financial assistance to students in non-public schools throughout the state of Maryland.

Each year, MANSEF (Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities) award deserving students attending non-public schools throughout the state of Maryland.  This year, 35 individuals were awarded scholarships by the Michael Cardin Scholarship Committee.  Four of those students attend High Road Schools within the Southern Maryland Region.  Our High Road School Student Winners along with the other scholarship recipients were honored at the MANSEF Annual Awards Luncheon on June 6, 2011 with Myrna Cardin and Nancy Grasmick, Maryland State Department of Education Superintendent, in attendance.

Douglas Argueta (High Road Academy – Lanham) received a scholarship for the C.A.S. Driving School.  As noted by his social worker, Ms. Jasmine McWain, “…he has proven to be a student that is focused and determined on succeeding…”  Learning how to drive will provide Douglas the independence to pursue his long-term career goals beyond high school.

Catheil Jackson (High Road Upper School – Beltsville) was awarded a scholarship to attend the Child Care Certification Training Class at Prince George’s Community College.  This 90 hour training course will allow Catheil to pursue employment in a Daycare Center.  As Catheil stated, “…my goal is to work with infants in daycare.  My plans are to stay focused and on the right track…to help them and teach them the important things in life.” 

Ashley Pannell (High Road School – Capitol Heights) is a graduate of the Class of 2010 who originally won the Michael Cardin Scholarship in 2010.  This year, she once again was awarded the scholarship to continue her college career at Washing Adventist University.  Along with attending classes, Ashley also works at her local CVS Pharmacy.  She also continues to stay in touch with the staff that helped her achieve her high school goals at the High Road School of Prince George’s County.

Aaron Robinson (High Road School – Capitol Heights) received a scholarship to attend Salisbury University to pursue a career in Nursing.  In his own words, “My goals are to help and be of service to the community…”  In her recommendation letter, Ms. Erica Robinson Newby, Social Worker shared that through his outstanding leadership and clear sense of purpose, Aaron has earned her “deepest respect”.

Dominic Wilson (High Road School – Capitol Heights) was awarded a scholarship to attend Prince George’s Community College to reach her childhood dreams of becoming a nurse.  Ms. Carmen McGinnis, Director, reflected on Dominic in her recommendation letter. Specifically, she stated, “She is very hard working and diligent about her academic studies.  As a result, Dominic has consistently earned honor roil since her 9th grade year”.
 
We are extremely proud of our winners and wish them the best of luck in the programs that they will be attending this summer and into the fall.