PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Altus Academy offers a variety of educational options and opportunities to meet the needs of children and adolescents who cannot learn effectively in a traditional school environment due to learning disabilities, certain medical conditions, psychological and behavioral issues.

The comprehensive educational and developmental objectives of our programs provide curriculum elements that focus on improving student self-esteem, fostering growth of individuality, and enhancing social skills and responsible decision-making abilities.

For children and adolescents with psychological and behavioral issues, such as personality disorders, substance use and abuse, depression, and violence, we provide a safer therapeutic environment and more individualized attention than traditional schools. We offer integrated education and clinical services for children and adolescents with learning disabilities and certain medical conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and Autism Spectrum Asperger's syndrome.

Our special education programs are designed to meet the needs of children and adolescents with learning disabilities and learning challenges. Students with severe ADHD, moderate-to-severe physical or behavioral obstacles, and other specialized educational needs receive customized instruction with individualized lesson plans, special counseling, adaptive physical education, speech therapy, and other supportive services as prescribed in the student's IEP to ensure that they can learn despite educational barriers caused by a medical condition or learning disability.

We integrate therapeutic programs with academics to provide for students whose emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues prevent them from learning effectively in a traditional school environment. Therapeutic components include daily and weekly group and individual therapy, highly structured learning and living environments, experiential learning, and individualized academic programming. Because the root of many emotional and behavioral problems is low self-esteem and a negative perception of self, emotional growth programs focus on helping students permanently change negative self-perceptions, discovering and healing emotional trauma, and identifying and changing negative behaviors.

We provide individualized core-based curriculum geared toward a High School Diploma or Certificate of Completion. Additional courses are available for high school credit recovery and CAHSEE preparation. A Career/Transition Center offers students courses and experiences in subsidized and competitive work arenas. Our Life Skills Laboratory provides students with the skills necessary for independence and success. This program utilizes a small home on site where students can participate in all aspects of independent living.

A full-time Behavior Intervention Case Manager, MSW or equivalent counselor or therapist will provide the necessary behavior, social, emotional and career/transition guidance vital for our students' success.

Designated Instructional Services such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Adaptive Physical Education are available.

Altus is proud to partner with Fontana School District/SELPA and Loma Linda University in a complete Sensory Integration Room, with Occupational Therapist support for our students, as well as other districts. This facility is available to all districts through arrangements with Altus.

Extra Curricular Activities and Expanded School Programs

Altus believes that an integral component of a student’s education includes enrichment and extra curricular activities.  Our students have a variety of enrichment opportunities that they can participate in during the day.  Facilitated by experienced professionals, students can select clubs and organized activities.  Fine arts groups meet weekly which include drama and music.  Students interested in literature participate in the Book Club, while others contribute to the development of our biweekly school paper.  Sport and fitness clubs provide students opportunities to work individually or socially in lifelong, health and fitness experiences.  Volunteer groups also enhance our school’s extra curricular experiences.

Music Programs – This fall an Introduction to Keyboarding course will be added to our curriculum offering.  Music is also offered to our SH population as part of the daily curriculum.

Academic Clubs – Both Math and Reading clubs are offered during the school year.  These clubs are designed to provide additional support for students in advanced math and remedial reading.

Career Prep and Vocational Training – PPS Counselors and Vocational Education Teachers provide students with guidance and assistance in accessing post secondary opportunities in employment and continuing education.  Career and vocation exploration, and interest inventories are offered to our junior high school students.  Our high school students explore career and post secondary school opportunities.  Students participate in pre-employment skill development, aptitude inventories, on campus employment and portfolio preparation, which can be taken with them as they continue their education and employment.   Altus partners with each of the contracted school districts to enable our students to participate in their home district’s workability and ROP programs.