Objective and Purpose
Rising Hope Academy provides a therapeutic classroom environment for students with significant social-emotional behavior health needs. Through a variety of interventions, students are able to gain the coping skills and resilience they need to assist with their social, educational, and emotional outcomes. This helps lead to a successful transition back to the least restrictive environment within their home districts.
Rising Hope Academy provides an opportunity for Green Hills AEA districts to utilize expertise and behavioral and mental health supports for students in 1st-5th grades, while keeping their students in close proximity to their home districts. Each Rising Hope Academy classroom will serve up to eight students in each therapeutic classroom. To date, we have served over 75 students and partner with 30 school districts.
“Rising Hope did just that; it gave us hope that our son would get back to classes and function well. Having positive reinforcement from the entire staff was a huge stepping stone for him. We are forever grateful for his time at Rising Hope and that our son got the help he needed.”
Requirements
- Students enrolled in 1st-5th grade
- Students must have an active IEP and Behavior Intervention Plan
- Referral Form must be completed to be considered as a candidate for this program
- Referring district and parent(s)/guardian(s) must participate in the screening process
Objectives
Shared goals between the resident home district and Rising Hope Academy will be designed to help students:
- Understand their mental health diagnosis
- Gain coping skills to assist with social, emotional, and educational outcomes
- Reduce the intensity and/or frequency of behaviors
- Continue progressing on academic standards
- Work towards a successful transition back into the least restrictive environment in a student’s home school
Examples of interventions include, but will not be limited to:
- Conscious Discipline Approach
- Research-based mindfulness
- Social skills groups and instruction
- Daily student self-assessment and feedback
- Modifications and accommodations to Iowa Core as indicated in student's IEP
- Access to the Master Social Worker (MSW) program for individual and/or group therapy while at RHA in addition to their outside therapy
- Communication and progress will be shared weekly between Rising Hope Academy, the student’s home district, and guardians
Locations
We currently have three Rising Hope Classrooms within three host districts:
- Harlan
- Orient-Macksburg
- SWITCH (East Mills)
Curriculum
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Bridges
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SPIRE
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iReady
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IXL
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Conscious Discipline
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Emotional ABCs
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Harmony SEL
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Everyday Speech - coming soon!
Important contacts
Staff Directory