High Road School of Baltimore County

The High Road School of Baltimore County is a nonpublic education program designed specifically to meet the individualized academic, behavioral, and therapeutic needs of students requiring special education services. Our highly structured program serves students in grades 2–12 (aged 7 to 21) with emotional/behavioral disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities, as well as other disabilities under IDEA. Students are referred to our program by local school systems (i.e., Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and Anne Arundel County Public Schools).Students attending the High Road School of Baltimore County work toward transitioning back to a less restrictive environment and/or pursuing a Maryland high school diploma or Certificate of Completion.The High Road School of Baltimore County seeks to build student confidence and competence through personalized attention and instruction, as well as to prepare our students to be independent, successful adults. We achieve these goals through the three main components of our specialized model: Academics, Behavior Interventions/Counseling, and Transition Services.Our academic component focuses on individualized instruction based on student needs and the county curriculum. Students receive instruction in small-group and one-to-one settings, with time for independent work and computer-assisted instruction. Our behavioral/counseling component features a school-wide behavior management system with built-in incentives and rewards for positive behavior, including field trips, participation on sports teams, and weekly arts and crafts activities. Students have access to their school social worker outside of scheduled services as needed. Our transition programming incorporates functional life skills as well as career awareness and readiness skills. Many of our students exit the program with referrals to job resources in the community through programs like DORS (Division of Rehabilitative Services).The High Road School of Baltimore County offers a wide array of services for students, including certified special education teachers, a reading specialist, staff trained in crisis intervention, school social workers, in-home and/or family therapy, a school psychiatrist, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The school also provides Maryland High School Assessment and Bridge Plan preparation.High Road students have the option to participate in a high-interest, self-directed classroom that focuses on career preparation, and they are given the opportunity to take part in several community service projects offered throughout the year, such as Adopt-A-Road, volunteering at soup kitchens, and participating in a recycling program. We have athletic teams that compete in football and basketball, and an academic team that competes with other High Road Schools in the region. Furthermore, our students enjoy additional extracurricular activities, like our region wide Fine Arts Festival, where students display a variety of talents, from drawing to performance art.Parental involvement is a critical part of our education program, and parents are encouraged to contact the school at any time. High Road staff contact parents/guardians on a weekly basis to discuss student progress and address any family concerns or topics of interest. We also send out a monthly newsletter to parents to keep them apprised of all notable events at the High Road School of Baltimore County.