Three different levels of programs are offered for students with documented learning disabilities:
Options Program Academy Program Learning Center
Special Education Program Overview
| Options Program | Academy Program | Learning Center | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | Modified push-in individualized math, reading and writing | Not UC/CSU, nor A-G | College preparatory |
| Class schedule | Push-in for typical classes Math - Options Resource class - reading & writing | Co-tought: English, science, social science, math Push-in: electives and religion | Typical 6 classes Leaning center |
| Resource Class | Focus on reading and writing at independent level | SPED teacher 12:1 | Learning Center Class 12:1 |
| Post High-School | District transition program Inclusive college program | Community college Inclusive (non BA) college programs | College eligible |
| Documentation Necessary |
|
|
Options Program
The Options Program provides students with intellectual disabilities and/or delays an opportunity to become a part of the Cathedral Catholic community.
- Students enrolled in the Options Program will become as fully integrated as possible into the total life of the school community through participation in general education classes and campus activities.
- The Options Program provides intensive, individualized instruction using research-based methodologies to maximize students’ potential.
- In addition, a peer mentor program is utilized to help aid in this path of inclusion.
Peer Mentors
The Peer Mentor Program is a year-long course where selected students have the opportunity to work with the students enrolled in the Options Program.
- Peer mentors act as academic role models, working with the Options students to create positive study skills.
- They assist in one-on-one tutoring and accompany the Options students to their classes.
- These mentors also help facilitate social participation by eating with the students at lunch and attending school functions with them.
The Options Program is not only beneficial to its students, but to its peer mentors as well. It teaches the mentors qualities that can’t be learned from a book: patience, character, tolerance, compassion and respect. Living out these values encourages the rest of the student body to follow the example that the Option Program sets. Applying these traits prepares mentors and the Cathedral Catholic High School student body for a world beyond high school.
Options Student Admission Requirements
Students must demonstrate:
- The desire to grow closer to God by taking part in spiritual opportunities provided by the school
- A willingness and ability to participate in the rights and responsibilities of students as stated in the Cathedral Catholic High School handbook
- A minimum level of academic achievement, which indicates success in past learning environments
- Interest in the learning process, exemplifying curiosity and motivation
- An ability to work in group situations with minimal distraction to themselves and others
- Ability to independently perform all activities of daily living, such as toileting, dressing, washing, etc.
Options Program Inquiry
The Options Program Inquiry Form
Options Program FAQs
Students who function at a 2nd-6th grade academic level and meet the admissions requirements.
No. It is not diploma bound, however, students receive a certificate of achievement representing completion of a four-year modified program.
Interested students should fill out the inquiry form.
Yes, the students can choose to participate in sports, drama productions, clubs and other activities offered by the school.
No. Students must be incoming freshmen.
Academy Program
The Academy Program is a special education program designed for students who are interested in earning a CA state high school diploma in a smaller, co-taught classroom setting for all core classes.
- Structured, specialized learning environment for CA state diploma-bound students who desire a Catholic education
- Co-taught program: one general education teacher and one special education teacher teach classes jointly in the subjects of math, science, social science and English
- Classes size is twelve or fewer Academy students in the core subject classes of math, science, social science and English.
- Academy students integrate into typical religion and elective courses with use of peer mentors to implement academic and social accommodations.
- All academic and elective courses are labeled with the Academy distinction on the student’s transcript.
- Students work towards a non-college preparatory CA state diploma (classes are not designated with A-G or UC/CSU approved credits).
- CA state standards for diplomacy
Typical Academy Four Year High School Plan
- Academy English
- Academy Math
- Academy Biology
- Academy Study Skills
- Catholic Faith 9 – AC
- Foundations in Visual Art and Design – AC
- Physical Education – AC
- Academy English
- Academy Math
- Academy Anatomy & Physiology
- Academy World History
- Academy Study Skills
- Catholic Faith 10 – AC
- Elective
- Academy English
- Academy Math
- Academy Oceanography
- Academy US History
- Academy Study Skills
- Catholic Faith 11 – AC
- Elective
- Academy English
- Academy Math
- Academy Government
- Academy Study Skills
- Catholic Faith 12 – AC
- Elective
- Elective
- Students can attend community college in order to obtain an associate’s degree.
- After an associate’s degree is earned and prerequisites are met, students are able to apply to transfer to four year universities.
- Students can apply for similar programs at a four year university and earn a certificate, not a bachelor’s degree.
Peer Mentors
Student mentors are a critical component of the Academy Program. These peer mentors are juniors and seniors who are chosen to be role models and academic supports for students, and they must meet certain standards of excellence. They are selected through a rigorous screening process that includes letters of recommendation, interviews and a base GPA level.
Academy mentors have two primary roles:
- to help provide accommodations to the Academy students
- to act as a liaison between the Academy teacher and the general education teacher.
The accommodations include (but are not limited to):
- Organizing materials
- Conducting planner checks
- Reading questions/ passages aloud
- Encouraging interactions with other peers
- Social liaison during lunch, dances and clubs when able
- Working with the subject teacher to reduce (not change) homework assignments if necessary
- Helping with note-taking
- Monitoring frustration levels
- Checking for understanding/focus
- Updating a Google Calendar with assignments/tests
- Helping with study guides (Quizlets, Google Docs, etc.)
- Checking in with Academy teachers regularly on student's progress
Learning Center
The Learning Center offers special education services for college-preparatory Cathedral Catholic High School students. Learning Center services include classroom accommodations as appropriate for the student’s diagnosed academic needs. The Learning Center class is an optional elective course that is highly recommended.
Requirements to qualify for special education services in the Learning Center
- Psychoeducational evaluation within the last five years
- Diagnosis with an identified impact on learning
Note: 504 plans are not accepted at Cathedral Catholic High School for special education qualification
Learning Center Class Description
- In the Learning Center class, students learn study skills, time management, organization, self-advocacy and goal setting.
- They receive academic support through mini-lessons and one-on-one advising.
- In addition, students will be exposed to various compensatory strategies and learn to utilize these skills in classroom situations and test-taking environments.
- Executive functioning skills will be addressed in alignment with the curriculum in order to reap maximum benefit and applicability.
- Students will be monitored frequently for academic progress, organization of materials and time management.
- Send the documentation, including the psychoeducational assessment, to Cathedral Catholic High School (incoming students should share with the Admissions Office, and current students should share with the Counseling Office).
- The Learning Center team will review the documentation.
- The family will be contacted, and accommodations will be put in place if appropriate.
- If granted accommodations, a student may join the Learning Center class given space availability and his or her current schedule. Note: A student that is granted accommodations is not required to take the class.
- Contact the student’s counselor to review overall academic performance and discuss academic interventions available or those currently used without special education services.
- If current academic interventions are insufficient, seek a psychoeducational evaluation. The assessment must include both cognitive and achievement assessments and have a resulting diagnosed disability that outlines an impact on learning.
- Send the documentation to the student’s counselor.
- The Learning Center team will review the documentation.
- The family will be contacted, and accommodations will be put in place if appropriate
- If granted accommodations, a student may join the Learning Center class given space availability and his or her current schedule. Note: A student that is granted accommodations is not required to take the class.
