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Adaptive Playground

The adaptive playground is designed to provide all students with access to meaningful movement, play, and outdoor experiences. Recognizing the importance of movement breaks and fresh air throughout the school day, this space offers inclusive opportunities for students of all abilities to engage safely and successfully. The playground includes equipment and structures that support a range of physical, sensory, and developmental needs, allowing students to build strength, coordination, and social skills through play. It is intentionally designed to promote accessibility, independence, and participation for every student. By providing a space where all students can move, explore, and interact with peers, the adaptive playground supports overall well-being, enhances readiness for learning, and reinforces the importance of inclusive, active environments.

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology supports are provided to help students access learning, communicate effectively, and participate more independently in their educational environment. These supports may include a range of tools and devices, from low-tech options such as visual supports and adapted materials to high-tech solutions including communication devices and specialized software. Assistive Technology is individualized based on each student’s needs and is designed to reduce barriers to learning and increase access to curriculum, communication, and daily school activities. Supports may focus on areas such as written expression, reading, communication, organization, and task completion, helping students engage more fully in classroom instruction and routines. The use of Assistive Technology is often integrated into a student’s daily program and may involve collaboration between teachers, related service providers, and families to ensure consistency across settings. Through thoughtful implementation and ongoing support, Assistive Technology promotes independence, participation, and success for students throughout their school day.

Behavioral Support

Behavioral supports are provided by a team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) in close collaboration with classroom teams to support student success. Services are individualized and focus on understanding the purpose of behavior while developing consistent, practical strategies that can be implemented throughout the school day. The behavioral team works alongside teachers and staff to conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and develop Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) that reflect the unique needs of each student. Emphasis is placed on building staff capacity, ensuring that strategies are embedded into daily routines, and creating consistent approaches across all settings. Through ongoing collaboration, coaching, and support, the behavioral team helps classroom staff implement proactive strategies that promote self-regulation, increase engagement, and support positive student outcomes. This team-based approach ensures that students are supported in meaningful, consistent ways within their learning environment.”

Counseling

Counseling services are provided to support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral development within the school environment. Through individual and small group sessions, counseling helps students build skills related to self-awareness, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and positive interactions with others. Counseling may focus on supporting students in managing stress, navigating peer relationships, and developing coping strategies to respond to challenges both in and out of the classroom. Services are individualized and designed to help students better understand their emotions and behaviors, while building the skills needed to participate successfully in their school day. Counselors also collaborate with teachers, staff, and families to create consistent supports across settings, helping to ensure that students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Through this collaborative and proactive approach, counseling services promote resilience, confidence, and overall well-being.

Instructional Coach

Instructional coaching is designed to support teachers in strengthening instructional practices to meet the diverse needs of students. Through ongoing collaboration, coaches work alongside classroom teams to plan, implement, and refine strategies that promote student engagement, access to learning, and meaningful progress. This support is grounded in a responsive, team-based approach, focusing on practical, in-the-moment application of strategies within the classroom setting. Instructional coaches may provide modeling, co-planning, and feedback, helping to build confidence and capacity in areas such as differentiation, classroom management, and effective instructional design. The goal of instructional coaching is to support continuous growth for both staff and students. By working collaboratively and focusing on real-time needs, coaching helps ensure that instructional practices are intentional, consistent, and aligned to support positive student outcomes.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational Therapy is provided by a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) or an Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) under the supervision of an OT to support students in developing the skills needed to participate successfully in their school day. This service focuses on building fine motor and visual perceptual skills that impact tasks such as handwriting and classroom activities, as well as strengthening coordination, range of motion, and overall physical development. Occupational Therapy also addresses sensory processing and self-regulation, helping students manage their responses to their environment so they can focus, engage, and participate more effectively. In addition, support may include the development of self-help and daily living skills, such as dressing, eating, and navigating school routines. Through individualized intervention, Occupational Therapy promotes independence, access to learning, and meaningful participation in all aspects of the educational environment.

Physical Therapy (PT)

Physical Therapy is provided by a licensed Physical Therapist to support students in developing the motor skills needed to access and participate fully in their school environment. Movement is a central part of each session, as a strong motor foundation supports not only physical development but also a student’s ability to engage in academic and daily school activities. Physical Therapy may address a range of needs, from foundational gross motor skills such as jumping, climbing, and coordination, to more complex physical challenges that impact mobility and independence. Services may focus on improving strength, flexibility, endurance, body awareness, and motor planning, helping students build the stamina and coordination needed to participate in physical education, navigate the school environment, and sustain engagement throughout the day. Sensory-motor development, including vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile input, may also be incorporated to support overall regulation and movement. In addition, Physical Therapy supports students with positioning, mobility, and access needs, including transitions between activities and movement throughout the school setting with or without assistive devices. Physical Therapists may also assist in identifying and securing adaptive equipment to support student success at school and, when appropriate, at home. Through individualized intervention, Physical Therapy promotes independence, safety, and meaningful participation in all aspects of the school day.

Sensory Spaces

The Rise Center for Success offers dedicated sensory spaces designed to support students’ self-regulation, engagement, and overall well-being throughout the school day. These environments provide structured opportunities for students to access sensory input in a safe and supportive setting, helping them better manage their emotions, increase focus, and return to learning. For younger students, the R.I.S.E. Room provides a developmentally appropriate space with a variety of sensory tools and activities that support regulation, movement, and calming. For older students, the Snoezelen Room offers a more individualized sensory experience, incorporating calming lighting, sound, and tactile elements to promote relaxation and self-awareness. These spaces are used as part of a student’s individualized supports and may be integrated into daily routines or accessed as needed. Staff work closely with students to help them understand their sensory needs and develop strategies for self-regulation, fostering independence and readiness to participate in classroom activities.

Speech-Language Therapy

Speech-Language Therapy is provided by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) to support students in developing the communication skills needed to access learning and interact effectively with others. Services are individualized and may focus on a range of areas, including expressive and receptive language, articulation, social communication, and pragmatic language skills. For some students, therapy may also address voice, fluency, or feeding and swallowing needs, depending on their individual profile. Speech-Language Therapy supports students in understanding and using language, expressing ideas, following directions, and engaging in meaningful interactions with peers and adults. For students who require alternative methods of communication, support may include the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems to promote functional and effective communication across environments. Services are designed to help students build confidence, increase independence, and fully participate in academic, social, and daily school activities. Through targeted intervention and collaboration with classroom staff, Speech-Language Therapy plays an essential role in supporting student success throughout the school day.

Specialized Training & Professional Development

Specialized training and professional development are designed to meet the diverse needs of staff at all stages of their careers. Opportunities are tailored to support both foundational skill development and more advanced, targeted areas of practice, ensuring that all staff have access to meaningful and relevant learning experiences. Professional development is responsive to the evolving needs of students and programs, offering a range of opportunities from broad-based training to more intensive, focused support. This may include job-embedded learning, collaborative work sessions, and targeted training designed to build specific skills and strategies. Through a commitment to continuous growth, specialized training and professional development support staff in strengthening their practice, increasing confidence, and effectively meeting the needs of all students.

Teacher of the Deaf

Teachers of the Deaf provide specialized support to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring access to instruction, communication, and full participation in the educational environment. Services are available to students from kindergarten through high school and may be delivered within district classrooms or specialized program settings. Support may include direct instruction, co-teaching alongside classroom teachers, and consultation with school staff to adapt materials, strategies, and the learning environment. Teachers of the Deaf work to strengthen language development, communication skills, and access to academic content, while also supporting students in building independence and self-advocacy. In addition, Teachers of the Deaf provide technical support related to hearing technology, including cochlear implants, hearing aids, and assistive listening devices. By ensuring these systems are functioning effectively, they help students access spoken information and remain fully engaged throughout the school day.

Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)

While Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) services are not provided directly through our program, we work closely with districts and outside providers to support students who are blind or visually impaired. When a district contracts for TVI services, we collaborate to ensure those services are effectively implemented within the school environment. Our team partners with TVIs to support each student’s individualized needs by coordinating schedules, providing appropriate space for instruction, and ensuring access to materials, technology, and classroom supports recommended through TVI assessments. We also support ongoing communication between the TVI, school staff, and families to promote consistency and alignment. Collaboration with agencies such as the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired helps ensure students receive coordinated support.

Therapy Pool

The therapy pool is a school-based support that provides both therapeutic and recreational opportunities for students in a safe and accessible environment. Students may participate in aquatic therapy, structured group activities, independent exercise, and supervised free swim. Aquatic therapy, provided by physical and occupational therapists, supports students in working toward individualized goals while benefiting from the natural properties of water. Buoyancy reduces the impact of gravity, making movement easier and safer while promoting strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. For many students, the pool offers unique opportunities to build skills, increase independence, and experience success in new ways. The warm water environment also supports relaxation, comfort, and overall well-being. With accessible features and a focus on inclusion, the therapy pool is an important part of supporting student engagement and participation throughout the school day.

Transition Services

Transition services are designed to support students in preparing for life beyond high school, with a focus on post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. Beginning by age 15, transition planning becomes an important part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP), ensuring that each student has a clear, individualized plan for the future. Transition services are developed through a collaborative process that includes the student, family, and school team, with a strong emphasis on student voice, interests, and goals. Planning includes identifying measurable post-secondary goals and outlining the instruction, experiences, and supports needed to help students achieve them. Services may include career exploration, work-based learning opportunities, development of daily living skills, and instruction in self-advocacy and decision-making. The goal of transition planning is to build independence, confidence, and the skills necessary for students to successfully navigate life after high school, ensuring they are prepared for meaningful and productive futures.

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