Aaron Middle School’s academic and enrichment curriculum was developed based on NY State standards. The curriculum scope and sequence is adapted to meet the needs of each student and reflects the grade level content learning of the students’ mainstream peers. It incorporates a language-based, multi-sensory and interdisciplinary approach to present academic information in a way that promotes learning and retention of material.
While our students need to continue to work on their individual goals, the program is developed to expand their scope to group dynamics. With a focus on developing the foundation necessary for effective functioning in high school and the larger community, our middle school division has created unique experiential programming to foster skill development, greater independence, self-advocacy and attunement to one’s learning style.
Critical thinking and problem solving skill development are integral components of how the curriculum is executed. Hands-on projects and team building assignments are designed with the purpose of making studies relevant and connected to the world around them.
Additionally, students are encouraged to develop effective leadership and negotiating skills when working on long range projects with peers. Executive functioning skills are explicitly targeted to develop greater time management skills to lay the foundation for students’ future academic pursuits.
We believe that:
- Students benefit from direct instruction in order to build a strong foundation of organizational and study skills.
- Students must learn specific skills and strategies necessary to be effective self‐advocates.
- Students need learning opportunities that will foster greater independence and a better understanding of their learning styles.
- Students require support and guidance as they develop more complex and mature social relationships.
