Non-Public School
Educational Program

Nelly Chavez, MA – Special Education Director

Certification
Carousel is certified by the California State Department of Education and meets or exceeds all state program requirements. Carousel is open year round offering an After School Socialization Program during the summer, winter, and spring breaks. Saturday Camp is also available at certain locations.

Admissions
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the school year. Upon application to Carousel School, the child will participate in Carousel School’s “Visit Program” where he can get an introduction to the program. This visit will give your child the opportunity to meet the education staff and to experience his classroom. The visit is an essential component to the Carousel model as it assists the staff in making the final decision on permanent enrollment. Students may attend the one- or two-day visit at no expense to the parents/guardians. The number of visit days will be determined by our Special Education Interdisciplinary Team which includes the Special Education Director, Behavior Supervisor, and our clinical staff. Final enrollment decisions are also made by this Special Education Interdisciplinary team. In some cases, a determination of an applicant’s enrollment will be made in less than one or two days. Upon the offer of official enrollment, parents will receive a complete Admissions Packet.

Application Requirements

Program Description
Carousel’s Non-Public School Education Program offers a free and appropriate public education that includes comprehensive educational programming and services for children and their families challenged by a learning, developmental and emotional disabilities. The children who attend our program are within age range is Kindergarten-12th grade. An innovative and integrated curriculum and high student ratio supports students so they can achieve success. Based on each student’s IEP, an individual instructional plan is designed to maximize his/her learning. Case management is an integral part of our service and helps to facilitate coordination with other professionals who are working the child and family. Our teachers recognize and appreciate the individual needs of each student, and encourage them to develop their interests and talents. Through small group interaction and individual attention, each child’s day is filled with learning opportunities that are interactive and stimulating. Our transdisciplinary curriculum is enhanced by our special facilities and diverse teaching methods to ensure continuity in the subject areas of art, computer, music, and science.

Curriculum and Instruction
Carousel School offers a comprehensive educational program and provides services for children and their families challenged by a wide range of learning, developmental and emotional disabilities. The students range from preschool thru high school. Based on each student’s IEP (Individualized Education Program), an individual instructional plan is designed for each child and family. Our teachers recognize and appreciate the individuality of every student and encourage children to develop their interests and talents. Through small group interaction and individual attention, each student’s day is filled with learning opportunities that are interactive and stimulating. Children’s self-esteem flourishes and creativity blossoms when they feels that intellectual and emotional experiences are valuable. Our transdisciplinary curriculum is enhanced by special facilities and diverse teaching methods to ensure continuity in all the subject areas.

Along with a student’s IEP, Carousel’s teachers utilize the California Content Standards and the Curriculum Guide for Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities as a tool to develop the curriculum and lessons each year. Teachers also make modifications and adaptations to lessons and their teaching to accommodate each student’s needs. The use of manipulatives and hands-on experiences are integrated into lessons whenever possible to make learning more exciting and interactive.

Some of the state approved curricula Carousel’s teachers use include the following:

• Language Arts- Open Court
• Math-Harcourt Math
• Science-FOSS (Full Option Science System)

Community Based Instruction/Independent Living Skills

Carousel high school students participate in Community Based Instruction (CBI) which targets the development of functional skills in natural, non-school based environments. Community instruction builds upon the classroom instruction the student has already received. Skills learned in the classroom are generalized and taught in the community.
The focus of CBI is to assist students with moderate to severe disabilities to acquire the essential independent living skills necessary to successfully transition into the adult world. CBI is an instructional strategy that helps high school students develop skills in self-advocacy, safety in the community, taking initiative, and appropriate work and social behaviors. CBI provides opportunities for students to plan for transportation needs, gain advanced mobility skills, access local community resources, and obtain work-based learning experiences.

CBI adheres to legislative mandates for individuals with disabilities. In addition, CBI:

• supports transition planning
• reflects systematic, ecological instruction
• promotes the transfer of skills from the classroom to the community
• is developmentally appropriate
• fosters problem solving
• ensures continuity across the life-skills curriculum
• creates acceptance in the community and local partnerships

Other independent living skills that all students participate in throughout the year include:

• weekly community walks
• gardening and grounds maintenance
• being an integral part of the recycling program and visiting the recycling center
• automotive maintenance
• assisting with snack and lunch distribution
• personal care and personal hygiene
• personal health and safety
• general shopping
• student store support
• classroom assistance
• custodial services

School-Wide Social Skills

At Carousel, we acknowledge that a vital component to a child’s daily routine is the socialization with his or her peers and adults at school, home, and in the community. Children with various diagnoses including, but not limited to Pervasive Developmental Disorders (e.g., Autism Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Fragile X Syndrome) and Attention Disorders (e.g., Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) often demonstrate poor social skills. Many of our students need to learn the fundamental skills necessary to appropriately interact with others.
The Carousel School staff facilitates the development of social skills through daily and weekly activities. Our teachers and classroom staff encourage students to interact with peers through class-wide activities. Our specially designed Physical Education class also facilitates social skills through specific group games and activities that allow students to have fun while learning how to appropriately interact with their peers. In order to prepare our students for the community, each class participates in field trips to local events that allow them to practice social interactions outside of school. Our Middle School and High School classes participate in weekly Community Based Instruction (CBI) trips that allow them to visit local community vendors, such as the post office, grocery stores, bakery, and police stations. Prior to going out into the community, teachers and staff prepare the students for what they will do and how they should act. These skills, practiced over time, will give our students the confidence to participate in community events and socialize in new and unfamiliar environments.