School Profile

Sequoia provides a non-traditional education setting as an alternative to the traditional junior and high school environments.  In most cases, Sequoia students are all designated as Special Education, and all have Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).

 

The Special Day Class Six program, Sequoia School, is uniquely designed to address the needs of students experiencing significant social-emotional/behavioral difficulties which adversely impact their ability to make educational progress in a comprehensive campus setting.  In addition to the five (6) academic staff on site, the therapeutic program is provided for up to 55 students by seven staff therapists, and is supervised by a licensed clinical Program Coordinator.  This team provides interventions as needed in the milieu as well as weekly individual, family, and group psychotherapy.

 

The Sequoia program provides a small, structured, educational setting for students in grades 7-12.  Class sizes are kept small with increased staff-to-student ratios.  Academic instruction is imparted at grade level with accommodation and modifications based on individual student needs as indicated on the IEP.  A school-wide, positive behavior incentive system is embedded within our program to support student participation, attendance, and accountability for behavior.  Through this Personal Progress and Monitoring System (PPM), students receive immediate feedback regarding their performance across classroom settings and may earn school rewards and privileges as they progress toward higher levels.

 

In conjunction with academic instruction and behavioral supports, a therapeutic milieu provides increased therapist-student interaction to foster social-emotional growth in an educational setting.  Students participate in a range of ERICS programs including individual and group counseling to address develop of positive self-concept, coping skills, social skills, and self-awareness.  In addition, parents and family members participate in family counseling to support student progress.  This comprehensive, student-centered approach aims to promote student academic gains while addressing the underlying, internal and external, social-emotional factors impacting a student's ability to self-regulate and make educational progress.