Below is a guest post about our new neighbor the Monarch Academy by Principal Stephanie West. We really encourage you to check out their website to learn more and share it with someone you know who could benefit. – Jennifer
If you haven’t already heard, a new school specifically for students with special needs is opening here in San Antonio in August. Introducing Monarch Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland, which will be located on the land next to the park!
This exciting venture was launched just a few months ago by a dedicated group of parents who took it upon themselves to make their vision for their children a reality for students with special needs. Monarch is designed to integrate academic, life, and vocational skills to help students obtain and maintain employment at the level appropriate for each student. We believe academic learning never ends, and vocational learning can’t begin soon enough!
I think the most common question is: “What makes Monarch Academy different from other programs?” At Monarch, education is built around each individual child, without the constraints of programs designed for typically developing students or designed around disability labels. Or, in more formal terms on our website, Monarch Academy believes in providing students with special needs a unique learning environment so they will reach their maximum individual potential.
Each student’s individualized curriculum will be based on his/her unique strengths, interests, and abilities. Parents, students and staff work together to create a blend of research-based academic curricula, work readiness and vocational skills, and social, communication, and skills for life as needed for each learner. Through the process of developing and implementing a unique curriculum for each student, he or she can succeed well beyond expectations.
Please visit our website, www.monarchacademy.net, for all the information, including student application packets and a sneak peak at the school plans. For the 2011-2012 school year we will be following the NEISD calendar, accepting students entering 6th grade through age 18, and capping our enrollment at 35 students. Future plans include increasing enrollment capacity, serving students through age 24, and moving to a year-round schedule.
We are working like crazy to get things ready for our grand debut on August 22, including hiring teachers, purchasing curriculums, accepting applications, and turning a piece of empty land into a school! The excitement is contagious among the parents and staff who are already committed to the school. It’s an amazing feeling to be part of something so unique and life-changing for our students, and this is only the beginning!
Stephanie West, Principal
Monarch Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland
