The High Road Schools and Academies of Maryland specialize in serving students facing learning, language, and social challenges.  As part of a network of schools comprising one of the leading specialized education companies in the country, the High Road School of Southern Maryland puts over two decades of experience to work to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for students who can best reach their potential in an alternative setting. Since we first opened our doors in May 2003, our school has focused on the distinct needs of each leaner, which is why we custom‐tailor a unique Individualized Education Program (IEP) to each student and then closely monitor the student’s progress and skills acquisition, fine‐tuning the IEP along the way, as warranted.

The High Road School of Southern Maryland serves students and families in the Tri-County Area (Charles, St. Mary’s, Calvert County).  We provide education services to students referred from Anne Arundel, Prince George’s and King George (VA) Counties.  It is our intended purpose to present our students with opportunities to succeed academically, socially and emotionally.  

The High Road School of Southern Maryland proudly highlights the greatest strengths of our program, like small class sizes, interactive one‐on‐one instruction, and personalized academic and behavioral interventions. Students requiring supplementary services, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling, receive anything and everything they need here, for our overarching goal is to help them achieve success in all facets of their lives — in the classroom, at home, and in the community.  We therefore expertly address every challenge we encounter, ultimately working toward optimum outcomes for each student in our care.

To that end, in addition to a rigorous academic program (in accordance with the guideline and curriculum of the student’s home school district) and a comprehensive behavior management system, our program also provides students to participate in extracurricular activities including athletic teams (flag football, basketball & kickball) and a state-wide Fine Arts Festival.

The Rube Goldberg Machine Challenge

February 21, 2012
11:00am
 
A Rube Goldberg machine, invention, device, or apparatus is a deliberately over-engineered or overdone machine that performs a very simple task.  This expression is named after American Cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg (1883-1970).
 
Join us our student create their Rube Goldberg Machine.  Please click here for more information

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

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Fine Arts Festival 2012

Travelling through the decades

The 2012 Fine Arts Festival was a huge success. This year’s festival was different, in the fact, that it was themed, “Moving through the decades”. Our school was assigned the 1960’s and so began a journey that taught our student’s about an era in which they’ve little interaction with. Performer, Bobi Mattia-Uribe and several others quickly decided that peace and brotherhood were the characteristics of the 60’s that they wanted to focus on.  Bobi began practicing John Lennon’s song, Imagine, while his friends learned the song in sign language. When the performance came together it was a beautiful rendition that definitely conveyed peace and tranquility. Careful research also allowed student Chaz Smith the necessary understanding of civil unrest, in which he based his original poem included below. Chaz watched clips of civil rights movements, rallies and protests and even read newspaper clippings and famous speeches to truly understand the feelings and lessons of this era. Those attending the performance were moved by his words and unanimously agreed that Chaz captured the essence of what it meant to live in the 60’s.

Trina Vagell

 
From Vietnam bombs exploding to constitutional rights decoding
The 1960s proved to be the unloading of emotions and a gateway for expression
 
No time for regression rather a time for progression
Fight and fight in succession to voice the pain and aggression
No more hopes and expecting 
 
Its time to claim what is due the home of red white and blue
Were freedom is partially true
Come exchange different views
 
In efforts to better the system
No more playing the victim
And entertaining fiction we will not wait and listen
 
Instead we must take charge
It’s not the dealing of cards
It’s the play of the hand hurt and even undermanned
They must all understand
That we will take a stand
 
We cannot be diluted
We will not be eluded
Our rights must be included
Or we will always dispute it

Chaz Smith
2012     

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Welcome Ms. Fayson

My name is Gwendolyn Fayson and I am pleased to be part of the High Road School of Southern Maryland’s administrative team. I previously was attending College of Southern Maryland to pursue a career in elementary education. However, I’ve taken time off from pursuing my education to prepare my teenage daughter for college within the next year. Nevertheless, I have a background in providing therapeutic behavioral management and case management services to children with social and emotional disabilities. I worked the last seven years as a Clinical Administrative Assistant, working with men and women that suffer from mental health, substance abuse and drug addictions within the District of Columbia. I accepted employment here at High Road because I wanted to commute closer to where I reside and to work within a therapeutic educational environment. I look forward to contributing my skills and knowledge in making High Road School and the students successful.

The Life of an EMT

My name is Tavone Hill and I am a senior student at the High Road School of Southern Maryland. Outside of school, I am an active member and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at the Charles County Rescue Squad. I enjoy being an EMT because I love helping people that need medical attention. It is also an exciting job to have because you encounter so many different medical situations from day to day. Typical calls include car accidents, heart attacks, strokes, structure fire assists and more. This is not to say that being an EMT is an easy job because it definitely is not. There are many tasks to complete when you’re on duty, plus you have to go through a lot of training in order to learn emergency skills. Training includes, managing respiratory, dealing with bleeding, trauma, using oxygen systems etc. There are also written and practical exams that are administered by the state and must be passed. 

EMT personnel must be able to follow protocol and guidelines; so taking directions is a very important attribute to have. A strong mind set is also important because you encounter situations that you don’t usually experience in a normal life. You cannot let these situations affect you mentally or emotionally because people are depending on you and you are in a position to save a life. You must be able to remain calm in a crisis and have the stamina to put in the long hours. One 24hr shift could have anywhere from 16 to 19 calls.

Even though it can be stressful, it feels really good to be an EMT. You meet a lot of people and make lifetime friends and extended family. Even restaurants and other places offer free or discounted items for EMTs. So there a lot of  ups and downs in the EMT life and it can be very stressful but at the end of the day you feel good knowing that you saved a life or helped a person in need. It is rewarding to help your community. So being an EMT is a great job and not only a job but a career for a life time and I enjoy and love doing it.

Tavone Hill

Welcoming New Staff Members

My name is Roy Maddox. I attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice. I am a fan of all sports, but I played baseball the 4 years I attended Shaw. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with friends and family and writing poems and short stories. I am currently working as a Teacher Assistant and am enjoying my role here at High Road. I look forward to helping the students during rotations, especially in the area of English.

Roy Maddox

Hello my name is Raymond Brett Edelen, I grew up in Southern Maryland. I went to Salisbury University where I graduated with a B. A. in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution. When I was going to Salisbury University I worked in a group home called Maple Shade this is what lead me to come to High Road. I am currently a one to one and I also help out in the classrooms when my student is not in attendance. My background in dispute resolution has helped me to provide my students with the tools they need to positively resolve their own conflicts. When I am not working with students I am on my farm hunting and fishing.

Raymond Brett  Edelen                                                
                                                                                                                          

Rube Goldberg Machine Project

What do you get when you mix old books, card board, yarn, marbles, a planter, and numerous other objects? If you’re a student in Mr. Machen’s class, you get toast of course.

On February 21, 2012 Mr. Sipe, the director of the High Road school of Southern Maryland, challenged each classroom to create a Rube Goldberg Machine. This is a device named after cartoonist Rube Goldberg who was famous for drawing multiple step contraptions. These deliberately over-engineered devices perform a simple task; usually by stringing together a series of chain reactions and in this case making toast. You guessed it, just like the game mouse trap.

There was tremendous energy in the building as the student’s used their creativity to brainstorm tasks and materials. Mrs. Jenkins class created a device to raise flags, Ms. Vagell’s class contraption watered plants, and Mr. Briscoe’s rolled a set of dice. Watching the process unfold from beginning to end was a great experience for any educator as you watched the student’s original designs change in response to problems, new ideas and further elaboration.

The morning event took place at the High Road School of Southern Maryland. County officials volunteered as judges using a predetermined set of criteria including function and creativity. The winning class received a home cooked lunch made by the director, Mr. Sipe. The competition was intense as each class presented their own unique design. The ultimate winner was Mr. Machen’s class with their toasting machine. They have already enjoyed their chicken fajitas, chili, and nachos. This inaugural event was such a hit that we hope to see it become an annual occurrence.

Trina Vagell

The Cooking Lesson

Project based learning promotes hands on activities which includes a variety of teaching that caters to all learning styles. Therefore as part of a functional life skills lesson Ms. Vagell and Ms. McClain’s class baked Holiday Cookies for the staff and students of High Road School of Southern Maryland.

The students took great pleasure in helping in the kitchen and learning culinary skills. The lesson provided the opportunity to work on such skills as, Creating shopping lists, Vocabulary and abbreviations associated with cooking, Reading recipes, Following directions, Measuring, Hygiene, and Food safety. During the exit interview the students were asked what they found most useful about the lesson and the overwhelming response was that they learned from, “Doing” rather than studying or talking about the task. The student’s also enjoyed the group interaction with peers.

Ms. Vagell shared her fondness of project based activities as a great way to keep student’s interested and engaged while providing a deeper understanding of the content. Project based activities also differ from day to day lessons because they encourage students to have fun and be creative, and this was the perfect way to do both. After all kids love to cook and, better yet, eat their creations!

Most Improved Student of the Month

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Student of the Month

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Welcome Ms. Reynolds

My name is Kelly Reynolds and I graduated with a BA in Experimental Psychology with a Cognate in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina. I began my career working as a Counselor in a Group Home for adolescent boys and girls and eventually moved on to specialize in Case management and Vocational services. I am excited to be working with High Road School as the Transition Coordinator and wish for a long career with this organization.  In my spare time I play softball for the St. Mary’s County Women’s Softball League and am assistant manager for our team. I spent 16 years teaching dance to children as well as adults and also enjoy volunteering for events involved with those with Down syndrome.

It's Off to Work We Go...

Helping our student’s transition into life after high school is our most important goal. One of our strategies is to show students how they, as independent people, connect to a larger society. We find that providing opportunities to interact in the community at placements which personally inspire a student creates internal motivation and gives the student a sense of purpose., Patricia McKenzie and Devonna Duberry chose to internship at Hooks and Hangers and Use it Again thrift stores. These stores work in conjunction with Spring Dell Center, Inc. which is dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities. Both girls were drawn to the mission of helping those with disabilities achieve a higher level of independence. Both girls are enthusiastic about the interactions they continue to have with the people of Spring Dell Center and believe that this is an experience that brings about change and can lead their lives in different directions. They also share the philosophy that this is more than just volunteering; it is a way of life, which has brought them both much more confidence. Chrisitan(Bobbi)Mattia-Uribe is also interning at Master T’s which is a local barbershop that fosters and mentors youth! Bobbi is enjoying this experience tremendously, the knowledge and experience he is gaining is vital to his post-secondary success. The community support is greatly appreciated; words cannot express the gratitude that comes from within me!

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
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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.