Altus Academy

 Altus Academy offers a variety of educational options and opportunities for our students by providing individualized core based curriculum geared toward a high school diploma or certificate of participation. Altus Academy aligns the school curriculum with the Local Education Agency in which Altus Academy is located, and coordinates with the student's district of residence to ensure successful matriculation. Students participate in physical fitness and have opportunities to participate in inter-scholastic sports. Our extensive California Standards Based Alternative Life Skills Program offers students, who have difficulty accessing traditional classroom environments, a program designed to develop student skills in the following domains: Functional Academic, Community Service, Vocational, Domestic and Lifetime Leisure Activities. The program utilizes a cottage on campus, where students can participate in all aspects of independent daily living. The Functional Inventory of Critical Skills (FICS) and Brigance Inventories assist in determining the goals and objectives for students. 

A vocational career center assists students in job preparation and long range goal development. Students participate in activities and experiences inside and outside the classrooms for social, service and vocational endeavors. Non-verbal and autistic students experience classroom and social activities that are facilitated through PECS and TEACCH philosophies.  

Altus Academy provides a variety of Designated Instructional Services which include: Clinical Therapeutic Counseling, Individual and Group Behavioral Counseling, Career Guidance and Counseling, Speech and Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. In addition, Altus has a variety of licensed therapists to provide the necessary behavior, social, emotional and career/transition guidance vital to our students' success. 

All students participate in a school-wide positive behavior program, individualized behavior support plans and classroom specific plans. Social Skills are embedded in our program and are modeled, taught and reinforced throughout the day by staff, through the direction of our Clinical Team.  Altus Academy provides special education services for students 5 to 22 years of age, identified as needing special education services. Students must have demonstrated a need for early intervention services, qualify for special education services, have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are funded through their Local Education Agency (LEA). Students at Altus Academy are referred by the local school districts. They have an Individual Education Plan, or are in need of intervention or prevention educational, behavioral or mental health services. Students, who have demonstrated the ability to function academically, socially and behaviorally appropriate are recommended for return to the public school of residence. When determined by the IEP team, the student will return to the public school for all or part of the school day.  

 The primary goal of these programs is to develop a student’s ability to manage various levels of stress that may be encountered throughout their lives. Through this understanding, students will be more prepared and able to successfully obtain an education in the least restrictive environment and allow fewer students to be removed from their families and homes and placed in extremely restrictive environments. To meet these goals individualized Mental Health Services are provided, which will provide the opportunity for students to experience success in a structured individualized educational and therapeutic setting. The programs will improve personal relationships, negative behaviors, ability to self-regulate and parental involvement.

Children in the programs have behavioral problems with common backgrounds and experiences that place them at high risk of failure in their present schools, and or home settings. Additional intensive support services are provided for the improvement or maintenance of functioning consistent with learning, the development of independent living, and enhanced self-sufficiency. These services can be provided by the approval of the IEP team for each student’s Individual Education Plan. All students are referred through their local school districts. 

Improve a student’s ability to manage various levels of stress as it develops, allowing them to successfully obtain an education in the least restrictive environment, thus reducing the incidences of removal from the family, home and school.
Increase a student’s ability to successfully transition from extremely restrictive environments to less restrictive environments.
Increase participant’s positive identity including, personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and positive view of personal future.
Strengthening  the family unit to provide support for the student’s success.

Intake Review, Plan Development, and Assessment/Evaluation:
An individualized treatment plan is developed, including components such as behavioral assessments, emotional, addiction, and global functioning. Review of existing treatment plan is conducted prior to the beginning of the program and includes implementation and monitoring of the plan.

Limited Case Management
From an assessment, a treatment plan is developed in collaboration with the IEP team.

Process Groups
Designed to help students develop the skills necessary to deal with their individual problems or issues using the group process. Problem-solving strategies and the group will assist in resolving behavioral and emotional problems. This program addresses mental health issues through therapeutic components of individual and group therapy.

Adjunctive Therapies
Include art, recreation, individual fitness programs and board games. Therapeutic modalities will be used, which utilize self-expression to develop and enhance skills directed toward student treatment plan goals.

Individual Therapy
Use of psychosocial methods within a professional relationship with a licensed mental health professional, assists the student in achieving greater realization of his or her potential.

The daily interventions are designed to help the students with long-term mental health disorders to live their lives successfully. These interventions and continuous collaboration with students, their stakeholders, least restrictive environment placement team members, and district representatives ensures the successful and timely transition to less restrictive mainstream environments. 

Altus Academy is accredited as a Nonpublic School by the California Department of Education.

From a recent CDE State Review Report:

Altus Academy provides a positive learning experience for students. All classrooms, the library and life skills cottage were creatively decorated to reflect the lessons students were presently working on. The review team observed students actively engaged and on task throughout the school day with very minor disruptions given the student population.

Altus Academy is commended for:

• - Detailed preparation for the review and the assistance provided to the review team.
• - High degree of quality adult to student supervision and direction.
• - Obvious pride and personal commitment the staff have invested in their school.

 Altus Academy offers students a full continuum of services provided by our highly qualified staff that includes: Credentialed Special Education Teachers, a variety of Licensed Therapists, a Certified Pro-Act Instructor. Our Credentialed Education Coordinator works closely with students and school districts to ensure comprehensive curriculum and IEP compliance and collaborates with parents, districts and other agencies to provide services for our students.

Our teachers and staff bring a wealth of knowledge to our school with over 65 years in special education experience. This dedicated staff provides the leadership and education necessary for the success of our students. All Altus educational employees are trained in Pro-Act Crisis Intervention and Positive Behavior Intervention. The Altus staff is also trained in TEACCH, PECs and DTT.

In addition to the experienced teaching staff, Altus has classroom assistants for each class, all with Behavior Intervention Training. 

Altus collaborates with various universities to mentor and develop Special Education Teachers, and Counselors, thus ensuring the continued development of Special Education Professionals.

How can I enroll my child in your school?
Student must be a special education student with an IEP and be referred to Altus Academy by his/her district of residence.

My son/daughter is acting out at school and keeps getting suspended; can Altus Academy help me with his/her behavior?
Altus Academy offers extensive behavior intervention and support for students; these services are for Special Education Students

How much does it cost to go to school at Altus Academy?
Altus Academy is funded directly through funds received by the school district referring the student.

What is a Non-Public School? Are you a “real” school?
Altus Academy is a non public school that is certified by the California Department of Education, funded directly from the State through local districts and provides special education services for students whose educational needs cannot be met by the local school district.

How long does my student have to be at Altus Academy?
It is the goal of Altus Academy to work with the student, parents and district to identify and remediate educational areas of performance, thus enabling the student to re-enter the public school or a less restrictive educational environment.

What types of disabilities do the students have attending Altus Academy?
Altus Academy has specialized programs for Severely Handicapped, Developmentally Delayed, and Emotionally Disturbed students. Our programs offer high adult to student ratios and individualized instruction, often not available in their local districts.

Where do your teachers come from? Are they trained?
Altus Academy employs Special Education teachers credentialed by the State of California Teaching Commission.

Teachers come to us from public school districts and universities. The teachers receive the same training as all other Special Education teachers. In addition, Altus Academy also provides additional and ongoing specialized teacher training opportunities for behavior management and disability specific areas.

What do you teach at Altus Academy?
Altus Academy follows the local school district’s curriculum, which meets or exceeds the California Common Core Standards. Student IEPs are followed and adapted to meet individual needs so the student may focus on receiving a Diploma or Certificate of Completion from high school.

Can my student graduate?
Most definitely yes!! Students, who satisfactorily complete their secondary education at Altus Academy, will graduate with their home school district’s diploma. However, it is the goal for students attending Altus Academy to successfully transition back to their home school prior to graduating.

My student has mental health needs. Does Altus Academy provide therapy?
Altus Academy offers counseling services, as well as additional multi-tiered interventions to assist the student in accessing his/her education and for the student to remain in a least restrictive environment.