We frequently receive questions about possible placements outside of the traditional public school setting for our kiddos with divergent needs. Many of these placements can be funded with the state of Ohio's Jon Peterson Scholarship or Autism Scholarship. Others may be considered as placements for students enrolled in their public schools districts, whose districts cannot adequately serve their needs in-house. Here's a look at some of the available alternative schools in the Central Ohio area:
Marburn Academy - Marburn Academy is a non-profit independent day school for students in grades 1–12 school in New Albany, Ohio. The school was created in 1981 as an alternative for gifted students who have ADHD or dyslexia. The school is one of 18 accredited Orton-Gillingham schools in the United States.
Oakstone Academy - one of the few schools in the U.S. founded on the principle of providing a truly inclusive environment for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Oakstone Academy is dedicated to providing an environment that inspires and empowers students to reach their own unique potential. Their approach combines academic rigor, leadership and social immersion as a foundation in the development of students. Although education is serious, learning should be fun, interactive, and engaging. Children should feel confident and capable. They should experience the support to form deep and lasting friendships that enrich their school experience and their lives.
The Learning Spectrum - Two special education teachers and a parent saw a need in the community for a wide variety of services for children with autism spectrum disorder and formed the Learning Spectrum in 2005. The overall vision of The Learning Spectrum is to provide families with services designed to meet the individualized needs of children with autism and related services in and out of the school setting. It has grown immensely over the last 10 years, and now serves kids in four different locations, as well as private schools throughout the city. The Learning Spectrum provides OT, Speech therapy, music therapy, 1:1-Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), support groups, and educational services to over 200 students with autism spectrum disorder.
Eagle Wings Academy - exists to provide a specialized and safe environment, where students can optimize their social, emotional, and educational potential in order to become confident individuals, who can embrace the future. By providing an environment that facilitates positive learning experiences through staff, parents, students, school districts and the community, every individual touched by Eagle Wings Academy will be able to set an example of compassion, integrity and confidence, impacting the communities in which they walk, from a circle of friends to society.
REACH Educational Services - an organization committed to the treatment of children using empirically validated methods and strategies in order to assist each child in reaching his or her greatest potential and improving their quality of life. At Reach, every child is cherished as an individual. In addition to behavioral and educational programming, they focus on the needs of the family and its fundamental role in the success of our behavioral and educational programming. They are dedicated to providing each family with customized support and training using the principles and techniques of applied behavior analysis (ABA) while following the ethical guidelines set forth by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB), the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) and the Association of Professional Behavior Analyst (APBA).
Ventures Academy - an alternative education program located in Delaware County providing a structured and safe learning environment to students in need of social, emotional and behavioral interventions.
Rockbridge Academy - Rockbridge Academy is an alternative educational setting that provides personalized academic support, guidance, and direction to students not achieving success in the traditional school setting. The program strives to enable these students to experience academic and personal success. Rockbridge serves high school students from the following Central Ohio school districts: Olentangy, Upper Arlington and Worthington.
Bridgeway Academy - The Education Center is a full-day private school program that follows a traditional academic year calendar. Bridgeway Academy features small classroom sizes and unparalleled low student-to-teacher ratios for students in early-intervention/preschool through age 21, providing an unprecedented opportunity for learning. As part of our unique approach, students enrolled in the Education Center receive all their therapies (Speech, Music, Occupational, and Physical) during the school day. Consultation and Assessment by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, the Family Partnership Services Program, Life and Vocational Skills, and Transition-To-Adulthood services are also offered to students enrolled in the Education Center. Bridgeway Academy utilizes the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which research has shown to be the most effective treatment for autism. Classrooms provide individualized instruction based on each student’s need and learning style with curriculum adapted from the State of Ohio Academic Content Standards.
St. Vincent Prep Academy - St. Vincent Prep Academy is a full-service accredited school that combines academics with behavioral health treatment for children from pre-school through elementary school. They offer smaller class sizes and a teacher-to-child ratio proven to be ideal for every child to thrive.
Haugland Learning Center - provides an environment that promotes academic, social and emotional growth for all individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Success is achieved by using effective instructional methods based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis.
The Buckeye Ranch - the residential program is a secure facility for youth struggling with mental health and behavioral problems. All units tailor treatment plans for each child. A plethora of services is available to all youth including weekly individual counseling sessions, family counseling, group therapy, psychiatric services, animal-assisted therapy, art therapy, music therapy, horticulture therapy, sports teams, play therapy, a variety of evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, DBT, and much more. On-site schooling is provided to all youth from South-Western City Schools.
Cross Creek Day Treatment School - A collaborative partnership between the Buckeye Ranch and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO). Provides flexible and tailored schooling for middle and high school aged-students who have severe emotional and behavioral difficulties. The goal is to reintegrate the majority of youth back into a traditional school setting. Families can refer themselves or receive a referral from another agency.
West Central School - West Central School and Transition Services (WCSTS) provides a unique program for youth ages 14 – 22 who have developmental disabilities. The program offers a wide range of experiences for students to explore interests and aptitudes for their careers and for living in the community. The curriculum includes development of functional skills for independent living, communication, social skills, and employment readiness.
I Am Boundless - Boundless offers center-based programs for children and young people with behavioral health challenges on our Worthington, Newark, and West Carrollton campuses. Their multidisciplinary team leads a wide range of students through an integrated behavioral and educational curriculum, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each of their center-based programs is committed to supporting students in the least restrictive environment possible, while ensuring educational and treatment gains. Programs are rooted in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and are designed and led by board-certified behavior analysts, or a student pursuing board certification. Customizable curriculums can include development in the areas of communication, academic skills, daily living skills, pre-vocational opportunities, community integration, toilet training, and the reduction of problem behavior. Our goal is the reintegration of the student back into their home school district. This eventual transition is planned from enrollment and assessed at every review meeting.
Project SEARCH - Project SEARCH is an intensive 9-month internship program which provides training and education. The goal is competitive integrated employment for students with disabilities. The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Project SEARCH program will be housed on-site at the new Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio starting in fall 2020. This program is specially designed for Central Ohio students in their last year of high school who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or have additional challenges. In this unique Project SEARCH program, all student interns, skills trainers, and departments will have access to an additional layer of support through Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD).
Mosaic - At Mosaic, joy of learning and an attitude of discovery are cultivated through an exploration-based curriculum. Students deepen their intellectual and critical thinking skills through deep research, authentic problem solving, encounters with diverse perspectives, community engagement, real world experiences, and intellectual autonomy that allows for student self-direction and accountability. Students attend their district high school in the morning or afternoon and self-transport to Mosaic for the other half of the school day. First year Mosaic seniors and juniors typically attend the afternoon session from 12:50- 3:00pm. For students in participating districts enrollment fees are paid for by the district. At the end of each grading period, grades are reported back to the student’s district to be recorded on their high school transcripts.