Specialized Programs
Ridgewood Special Programs supports students, teachers and parents in our community to address the diverse needs of students through a variety of programs so that they can access the curriculum to improve academically, socially and emotionally. As a result, we have developed specialized programs that are tailored to the specific needs of our students.
The Continuum of Programs & Least Restrictive Environment (LRE):
LRE isn't a place — it's a principle that guides a child's education program. The LRE for each child may look different because all students are unique. It is a requirement that students with disabilities be educated, to the maximum extent possible and appropriate, with non-disabled peers and only removed from the general education setting unless, even with supplemental aids and services, their education cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
The IEP Team works collaboratively to review the student's learning profile and areas of strengths and needs to then consider which programs and services are appropriate for the particular subject area. Consideration with progress to the student's goals and objectives helps to determine when a less restrictive learning environment may be appropriate to meet the student's needs. There can often be additional academic support and basic skills supports available to students in less restrictive settings and your case manager would be the most appropriate staff to reach out to in order to better understand the least restrictive options for your child. Programs are described in NJAC 6A:14/Special Education New Jersey Administrative Code.
A presentation by the NJDOE can be found here: An Array of Supports for Including Students with Disabilities
When self-contained specialized programs are considered the least restrictive environment, the Ridgewood Public School has the following programs below:
Red Program
The Ridgewood Early Development (RED) Program offers a comprehensive educational experience for a child who has been identified as a preschool disabled student, ages 3-5. The areas of focus for skill development are within the social, motor, cognitive, and communication domains.
The Glen School houses both the Ridgewood Early Developmental (RED) Program and the Ridgewood Early Developmental Ridgewood Intensive Services (RED RISe) Program. The students enrolled in the RED Program and the RED RISe Program are educated in a developmentally appropriate environment that targets the special needs of each individual student.
LLD Program
The Language Learning Disabilities (LLD) Program is designed to meet the individual needs to students with language and/or learning disabilities, such as Communication Impairment and Specific Learning Disabilities. It is a specialized program where students receive intensive interventions in the areas of language and/or learning to support all content areas based on state curriculum standards. Strategies utilized in the classroom support the development of both expressive and receptive language skills, as well as focus on the comprehension of written language.
Perl Program
The Ridgewood Program for Emotional Regulation & Learning (PERL) is an elementary and middle school-based program designed for students who are dysregulated emotionally/behaviorally. Students' needs are met through a comprehensive system of highly structured learning and therapeutic environment, strategies, and supports. The program is designed to ensure students fully benefit from instruction and learn how to make appropriate decisions and effectively solve problems. The program is designed to provide an emotionally safe and secure structured environment with a strong student-to-staff ratio that provides support and preparation to enable students to function more successfully in a mainstream school setting. The program is supported by district staff including a special educator, a school social worker or psychologist, and a behaviorist.
Rise Program
The Ridgewood Intensive Services (RISe) Program is a comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program that provides highly-structured, systematic, and individualized programming for students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Research-based methodologies are utilized in one-to-one and group learning to support acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of skills across a variety of curriculum areas. Programmatic decisions and progress reporting are based on ongoing assessment outcomes and data analysis from various sources (e.g., VBMAPP, AFLS, ABLLS). Opportunities for supported inclusion experiences within our schools and community are available and tailored to meet each of our student’s needs and preferences. The program is supported by district Board Certified Behavior Analysts.
Practical, Real-life Education And Preparation Program (PREP)
Practical, Real-Life Education and Preparation [PREP] is a middle and high school program focused on developing functional living skills within a highly structured academic environment. Instruction is provided in whole group, small group and individual one-to-one settings. Evidence-based teaching methodologies derived from the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are used to support the acquisition, maintenance and generalization of skills. Students participate in community-based instruction (CBI), planned instruction that takes place in community settings to help students develop skills. Programmatic decisions and progress reporting are based on ongoing assessment outcomes and data analysis. The program is supported by special education teachers, specially-trained paraprofessionals, and a district BCBA. Instruction is provided in whole group, small group, and individual one-to-one settings as specified in the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Ridgewood In-District Therapeutic Supports
Ridgewood In-District Therapeutic Supports (RITS) is a school-based counseling program that provides direct support to students and families. Therapists utilize a variety of effective models to develop skills and strategies to make personal growth. The program is designed to collaborate with school personnel and therapeutic services are conducted in the student’s school building. The counselors are professionals experienced in youth development, therapy and case management. Currently, the district is partnered with West Bergen Mental Healthcare to provide the therapists and, therefore, parents have access the complete wrap-up care through West Bergen, a fully-licensed and accredited mental health care organization.
Ridgewood In-district Therapeutic Supports are available; please reach out to your building's Guidance Department or Child Study Team for contact information.
School Transition And Employment Program For Student Success (STEPSS)
School Transition and Employment Program for Student Success (STEPSS) is a program for Students ages 18-21 years old, who have met state graduation requirements, but continue to need more time and skill development before entering independent or interdependence adulthood may be recommended by their IEP team (based on data, file review, transition goals, transition plan, etc.) to participate in the STEPSS program. Our 18-21 year old STEPSS program: Provides a focus on instruction of curriculum that builds on readiness, based on employment, independent living skills, and agency resources within the community; Promotes a culture that is welcoming, responsive, and committed to continuous improvement in building self-reliance; Provides an environment where students are respected and treated as full partners in the process of increasing independence.
Learn more about our STEPSS and Transition to Adulthood programs