Severely Cognitively Impaired Classrooms (SCI)
There are three SCI classrooms housed at Freedom Acres School and one housed at Rather Elementary School in Ionia. These classrooms serve students ages 2-26 years with a wide range of cognitive and physical impairments. Classroom programs are designed to improve gross and fine motor skills, self-care skills, communication and social skills. Almost all activities require assistance from staff, which is comprised of one teacher and several paraeducators. Additionally, therapists service students in the specific areas of speech (communication – both verbal and non-verbal), physical therapy (gross motor and range of motion activities), and occupational therapy (fine motor and sensory activities). A primary goal of all classrooms is to help each student achieve his/her own level of independence. The classroom atmosphere is both fun and nurturing for these students with special needs.
Moderately Cognitively Impaired Classrooms (MoCI)
Freedom Acres operates four programs for this population. All programs are located outside of Freedom Acres School. The Primary MoCI classroom located at Rather Elementary serves students from 6-13 years of age. Emphasis is placed on basic academics and readiness activities. Self-care skills, pre-vocational skills, and social awareness skills are also a part of the program.
The middle school MoCI classroom works on basic academics such as sight reading, telling time, counting, and personal information to name a few. Personal hygiene is a self-care skill that is an important part of this program as well. Finally, instruction is also given in the area of pre-vocational skills, social and leisure skills including community awareness.
The high school MoCI classroom focuses on preparing students for life after school. The curriculum is functionally based, dealing with social, academics, health, community-based instruction, vocational and pre-vocational skills.
Students in the above classrooms are integrated into regular non-academic classes in each school as determined by their individual plan. All programs have a teacher and several paraeducators who provide instruction, along with ISD therapists who service students for specific needs.
The Adult MoCI program is located at 201 E. Main Street and is often referred to as the “House” program. The Independent Living Center (ILC) program focuses on independence in home living skills (cooking, cleaning, shopping), community involvement and independence, and vocational programming. For more details, please click on the picture.
Harwood Program for the Severely Emotionally Impaired (SEI)
There are two classrooms located at Freedom Acres School for students with emotional impairments. They accommodate students from elementary to high school age. Focus in on guiding students toward improving their problem solving skills and self-esteem, as well as promoting positive behaviors. To this end, a positive behavior management program is used with the students in addition to a time out / quiet room. Academics are an important part of both classrooms. Two teachers and several paraeducators staff this program.
Alternative to Alternative (A2)
This program serves students in grades 8-12 from the local districts who require an alternative education program. Program emphasis includes service learning, core academics with numerous hands-on activities (art, computer, etc.) and affective education. Staff is comprised of a teacher and one paraeducator. A maximum number of 16 students may be enrolled at one time.
