Programs
BOOST
Good Shepherd School
Ratio: 14 students – 1 adult
Ratio: 14 students – 1 adult
The Boost class is an alternative to the regular classroom and is designed for students with:
- Significant learning delays (i.e. approx. 2 years behind) in language of instruction.
- Evidence of interventions attempted to bridge the learning gap, and an IEP prior to entering the class.
- Specific diagnosis of a learning disability and/or language difficulty, or strong indicators thereof.
- A demonstrated desire to learn and succeed (please note that the mandate is academic based and this program is not designed for students with significant emotional/behavioural challenges).
The Boost class provides a structured learning environment in a small group setting. Evidence-based programs and interventions target specific challenges in literacy.
The QEP is followed at each respective grade level.
The program is offered in the English stream, including the required French Second Language subject.
Students generally attend the Boost program for 2 years.
Upon progress and team recommendations the student can be:
- reintegrated into their community school for Cycle 3
- directed to other programs within RSB based on their particular needs
Tech Tools
Good Shepherd School
Ratio: 14 students – 1 adult
The Tech Tools class is an alternative to the regular classroom and is designed for students with:
- A language-based learning difficulty or disorder in language of instruction, or strong indicators thereof.
- Documented difficulty in the regular stream, and an IEP prior to entering the class.
- A demonstrated desire to learn and succeed (please note that the mandate is academic-based, and this program is not designed for students with significant emotional/behavioural challenges).
- Who are not on a modified program (and have not been modified for the past school year).
The Tech Tools class is a one-year program of intensive intervention aimed at helping students become independent learners. Evidence-based literacy programs are used to support language development, verbal expression & comprehension.
Tech Tools also focuses on training students in the use of assistive technology and software intended to promote student autonomy for the completion of academic tasks.
The QEP is followed for grade 5.
The program is offered in the English stream, including the required French Second Language subject.
- Students attend the Tech Tools program for 1 year.
- Students are usually reintegrated into their community school for Grade 6
- Rarely, students are directed to other programs within RSB
Evolutions
Heritage Regional High School (HRHS)
Ratio: 14 students – 1 adult
Ratio: Reduced ratio (Spaces vary by year)
The Evolutions classes are an alternative to the regular classroom and are designed for students with:
- A language-based learning difficulty or disorder (documented or diagnosed).
- An at-risk code (learning difficulty or specific language disorder) and an active IEP.
- The potential to graduate from high school.
- A demonstrated desire to learn and succeed.
- A Measure Laptop or a history of Measure Laptop request(s).
- Evolutions is a closed group for students exhibiting academic difficulties primarily due to language-based learning difficulties and disorders.
- The focus of this program will be to leverage tools and technology to achieve academic success.
- The use of assistive technology will be integrated as a means for students to increase their level of autonomy and proficiency in the completion of academic requirements.
- Students will benefit from a lower student to adult ratio group for all subjects allowing for the consistent modelling and use of adapted approaches and tools used across multiple subjects.
- Students follow the grade level QEP for all subjects on their timetables.
- Students will generally remain in the program until graduation.
- Students are expected to work towards high school graduation.
- Students must be referred by an RSB school and must be able to get to/from HRHS independently
- Students from St-Johns HS can access transportation from St-Johns to Heritage
NEST
Terry Fox School
Ratio: 8 students – 2 adults
The NEST program uses a developmental nurturing approach to help students with learning and behaviour challenges.
- NEST provides a highly structured and predictable environment in a small group setting.
- Interventions are built upon a foundation of a safe, secure environment. Emphasis is placed on building nurturing attachments with significant adults in order to prime emotional maturity.
- Working from a developmental-relational perspective, students are provided with the structure and support necessary for their academic and behavioural growth, leading them towards success.
- The QEP is followed at each respective grade level.
- The program is offered in the English stream, including the required French Second Language subject.
- Students may attend the NEST program for 1 or 2 years (Cycle 1).
- Upon progress and team recommendations the student can be:
- reintegrated into their community school for the end of Cycle 1 or for Cycle 2
- directed to other programs within RSB based on their needs
LINKS
St. Mary’s School
Ratio: 8 students: 2 adults
Ratio: 8 students: 2 adults
LINKS is an alternative to the regular classroom and is designed for students with significant:
- emotional, social, and behavioural difficulties and associated learning difficulties.
- LINKS provides a structured, safe, and nurturing learning environment in a small group setting. An emphasis is placed on the acquisition of essential ELA and Math skills, however, the QEP is followed at each respective grade level and curriculum/content is individualized according to each child’s needs.
- The program is offered in the English stream, including the required French Second Language subject.
- Students learn to be aware of their emotions. With support, they gain self-awareness and self-control, as well as develop their social and interpersonal competencies. They receive personalized encouragement and acknowledgement to help each student develop a sense of personal competency.
- Part-time integration into a regular class is planned at the discretion of the school team and will take into account the readiness of each individual student.
- A student may attend a LINKS class for either 1 or 2 years.
- Upon progress and team recommendations the student can be:
- reintegrated into their community school for cycle 2 or 3
- directed to programs within RSB based on their needs
New Directions
Heritage Regional High School
(Priority Cycle 1) Ratio variable: ~11 students – 3 adults
The program is meant to service students with complex mental health issues. Students will:
- Have experienced repetitive difficulties integrating into the mainstream setting.
- Have received services from outside agencies, including short or long-term hospital admittance and/or intervention from CISSS/hospital and/or group home services.
- Be referred from an RSB school (must be an RSB student).
- Have an active IEP.
- Remain in the program as determined by the New Directions (ND) team, decisions are made on an individual basis.
The New Directions program is a complex needs support class (CNSC) designed to support students who face challenges in a regular classroom setting and who struggle with regular attendance. The program provides an adapted classroom with a lower ratio of students receiving individualized support. The structure allows for a flexible schedule, group sessions, re-integration support, as well as follow-ups with mental health professionals, a special education technician and the support of an attendant.
- Students remain in the program for a period of time determined by the ND Team
- Upon progress and team recommendations, the student can be:
- reintegrated into their community school at the appropriate grade level
- reintegrated into a regular class at Heritage (administration and space permitting)
- directed to programs within RSB based on their needs
SAIL
St. Mary’s School
Ratio: 8 students – 2 adults
Ratio: 8 students – 2 adults
SAIL is an alternative to the regular classroom and is designed for students with one or more of the following characteristics:
- a global developmental delay or characteristics of global developmental difficulties
- a language disorder or characteristics of a language disorder
- difficulty with cognitive skills
- adaptive skills difficulties
- SAIL provides a structured learning environment in a small group setting. An emphasis is placed on the acquisition of social skills, adjustment to school life and routines, self-monitoring and the basic skills of English Language Arts and Mathematics. The QEP is followed at each respective grade level and curriculum/content is individualized according to each child’s needs.
- The program is offered in the English stream, including the required French Second Language subject.
- SAIL students may be placed in a regular classroom setting on a part-time basis in order to help prepare them for integration. The integration process is at the discretion of the school team and will consider the readiness of each particular child.
- A student may attend a SAIL class for either 1 or 2 years.
- Upon progress and team recommendations the student can be:
- reintegrated into their community school
- directed to programs within RSB based on their particular needs
Work-Oriented Training Pathway: Pre-Work Training (WOTP: PWT)
The program is oriented towards the development of the attitudes and skills necessary to succeed in the workplace and the achievement of personal academic and career goals.
Work-Oriented Training Pathway: Centre de Formation en Entreprise et Récupération (WOTP: CFER)
The program is oriented towards the development of the attitudes and skills necessary to succeed in the workplace and the achievement of personal academic and career goals.
Adam’s P.A.C.E.
Adam’s P.A.C.E. (Post secondary Alternative Community-based Education) is an inclusive postsecondary program that offers students the chance to live the full college experience while receiving personalized support.