Focus
We work with our high schoolers to fine-tune their communication with their peers, and to help them build collaborative relationships of mutual support.
We focus on strengthening their abilities to self-regulate and self-reflect, while giving them new experiences and new things to try. We also teach our high schoolers the problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in higher education or employment after graduation.
Our goal is to get them prepared to hold adult responsibilities in the community in the best ways possible.
To understand who we serve, please see FAQ.
High school is a time when most boys surprise themselves with what they can make, learn, try, and discover.
Daily Life
Academics & Therapeutic Support: Students spend their time in a small classroom setting with individualized academic instruction based on each student’s IEP. Our curriculum is integrated, and our classrooms are designed to reduce noise while keeping visual distractions limited. The daily routine includes classroom activities, movement breaks, as well as communal lessons, one-on-one instruction, paired activities, and small group instruction. Transitions can be hard for some students, so we have time built into the campus-wide routines to make these experiences smoother and easier.
We make sure our academic and behavioral expectations are clear and consistent, and we give hourly “PILLARS chips” for academic and behavioral effort. This exchange of rewards for hard work mirrors how our society functions and sets students up for success beyond high school.
Each student’s selection of academic materials is individual to him, and we offer therapeutic support–that includes individual counseling, group counseling, family support and case management, psychiatric support and speech and language therapy as needed. To understand more about the types of therapeutic support we offer, see Therapeutic Support.
The more boys get support in discovering new things, the more confident they become.
Activities
Most Plumfield high schoolers come to our program with a history of negative school experiences, and many have not developed specific interests outside of video games and other online activities.
To ease students into more social ways of relating, we offer a music program. We also offer a chance to move with traditional games like basketball, soccer, baseball, stretching, exercise, running, dancing, and creative games that build cooperation.
Electives: At Plumfield Academy, we know that having varied interests builds a sense of competence and confidence. Our electives offer a chance to learn in new ways, discover meaningful interests and develop new skills.
Individual and group activities are carefully planned, structured, and supervised to be developmentally and socially appropriate—so that participation is fun and successful for each student.
Mistakes are a normal part of being human. When you fail, it’s just an opportunity to get curious, problem-solve, and try a different approach.
Values
For our high school boys, understanding who they are and how their behavior affects others is key.
Through our 5 PILLARS program, we specifically model and teach the art of learning to be open minded, taking responsibility for your words and actions, and developing a growth mindset.
These values set the foundation for a lifetime of learning and relating positively with family, friends, peers and supervisors.
Each day, we work on the building blocks: being genuine, showing interest, validating, and putting in real effort.
Key Elements for High School
- Small Classrooms
- Serene, Natural Setting
- Individualized Instruction
- Activities to Grow Confidence
- Electives to Expand Competence
- Therapeutic Support
- Attentive Staff
- The Strength of Social Fabric (5 PILLARS)
It's possible.