Program Overview
At the Fairmount Campus, we are committed to providing special education program in which the uniqueness of each student is valued and understood. We want to enable students to reach their potential in all aspects of life – academically, socially and behaviorally – and help lead them toward the ultimate goal of nurturing their independence now and in the future.
Our curriculum focuses on building essential skills based on standards and curricula identified by the Maryland State Department of Education. Students receive ongoing instruction in reading/English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, health, music, fine arts and career development.
We are a nonpublic special education day program approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. We operate on an 11-month program schedule.
NCASES Accreditation
All five Kennedy Krieger School Programs are accredited by the National Commission for the Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). Accreditation is based on compliance to fifty standards covering the range of processes, procedures, and practices critical to the functioning of a special education setting.
Who We Serve
We offer a range of educational and therapeutic services for students in kindergarten through grade 8 with a spectrum of special needs, ranging from mild to severe. Our students’ diagnoses have included autism, emotional disability, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, other health impairments, specific learning disabilities and traumatic brain injury. Students are typically referred and funded by their local school system; however, privately placed out-of-state and international students can also be enrolled.
What Sets Us Apart
- Low Student-to-Teacher Ratio:
Students thrive in our intimate and structured environment. Our low student-to-teacher ratio allows our team to implement individual education programs (IEPs) that meet the diverse needs of each student.
- Assessment of Progress:
We believe effective, timely and target assessment of student progress is critical to their success. Our teachers and staff regularly evaluate the progress of each child, assessing the direction and pace of instruction and any related service supports needed to facilitate progress.
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports:
We provide a vast range of positive behavioral supports that encourage students to maintain their focus on cooperation, completion of tasks and appropriate social interactions. For students who need additional support, individualized behavior intervention plans are developed to help replace problem behaviors. Behavior specialists are assigned to each student to monitor treatment effectiveness. We also offer crisis intervention to students who are experiencing behavioral difficulties and need help returning to instruction or work-based learning activities.
- Transition Planning:
Transition planning begins are soon as a student enters our program. Transition teams composed of school staff, parents and representatives from workplaces and community support agencies approach each student’s IEP with a focus on where they’re heading and the skills they’ll need to succeed.
Student Life
Our campus features a modern library and media center known as “Main Street,” which features a wide variety of electronic, multimedia and print materials that are available for students to borrow for classroom and home use. Main Street also houses a stage and sound system, providing an ideal venue for student activities, such as assemblies, plays, musical performances and guest speakers. Throughout the year, students participate in various extracurricular activities designed to enhance their school experiences. Examples include musical performances, school-wide career days, community-based trips, and holiday or theme-related activities and assemblies.
Our Team
Our staff includes highly trained special educators, curriculum specialists, related service providers and paraprofessional staff who receive ongoing training in evidence-based practices. Among our staff specialties are: art and music therapy, assistive technology, behavioral supports, counseling and mental health services, physical therapy, psychology and speech-language pathology.