HISTORY & MISSION FOUNDED IN 1980, The Craig School is an independent school with an adaptive and responsive approach to educating students with language-based learning differences in grades 2-12. For more than 40 years, The Craig School has provided an evidence-based school program centered on whole child development, multi-sensory learning, organizational skill development, Orton-Gillingham instructional methodology, and parent-school partnerships. The Craig School provides a safe, nurturing learning environment with small, structured classrooms and positive student-teacher interactions. The Craig School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and the National Association of Independent Schools. The mission of The Craig School is to provide to our students a strategy-based, comprehensive, and challenging school experience that acknowledges their learning disabilities, builds on their aptitudes, and strengthens their self-awareness and self-esteem. We help our parents assess their child’s true potential and understand the nature of learning disabilities, and provide our families an internal support network within the Craig community. MISSION STATEMENT 1. All students can and will learn if the right environment and opportunities are provided. 2. Learning disabilities and learning styles should be acknowledged, understood, and provided for. 3. In addition to supporting a student’s academic development, a school should nurture their social, emotional, and moral growth. STATEMENT OF CORE VALUES
THE CRAIG SCHOOL WAY The signature program at The Craig School takes on core weaknesses in phonological skills, decoding, and spelling through explicit, systematic, and sequential instruction on phonemes, letter-sound relationships, syllable patterns, morphemes, vocabulary, sentence structure, paragraph structure, and text structure. Additionally, this approach has been described as a multi-sensory teaching method with direct instruction, a high level of studentteacher interaction, carefully selected, decodable words and nonsense words, text at the instructional level rather than the frustration level, and prompt, corrective feedback. At The Craig School, teachers are highly skilled and trained in the science of reading and understand a vast array of instructional strategies, approaches, and practices that align with the best available research on teaching students with dyslexia how to read, write, and spell. ORTON GILLINGHAM STRUCTURED LITERACY INTERVENTION Teachers at The Craig School, whether in the science lab or the mathematics classroom, use multisensory instruction, that is, instruction using two or more senses, to move content knowledge from remembering and understanding to analysis and application. Students who learn using two or more senses cement their learning in their long-term memory, allowing them to access more successful retrieval cues to trigger memory, which in turn helps their learning “stick.” MULTISENSORY LEARNING The Craig School’s organizational system is woven through our students’ instructional program and customized to each student’s needs, allowing optimum learning and functioning. Setting goals, time management, task initiation, prioritization and planning, responsible decisionmaking, and self-regulation are all elements under the umbrella of “organization.” Daily, our students must organize their thoughts, their time, and their materials in order to get things done and grow as learners, thinkers, and citizens. An emphasis on these essential skills begins in the 2nd grade and continues until our graduates cross the stage and receive their high school diploma through direct strategy instruction, modeling, reinforcement, and positive feedback. INTEGRATED ORGANIZATION
THE CRAIG SCHOOL WAY The Craig School’s Academic day is further enhanced through the incorporation of (a) social and emotional supports and services to promote a safe and supportive, positive school climate, (b) mindfulness integration in the lower and middle schools to help students learn self-regulation and self-awareness along with reducing anxiety, (c) a focus on self-advocacy and becoming an independent learner through the unique “Self” program in the high school division, (d) time for physical education and creative play, which opens up the mind for learning, and (e) a full spectrum of related services, such as occupational therapists, social clinicians, and speech and language pathologists. This well-rounded educational experience fosters a sense of community and encourages interpersonal skills, autonomy, and greater independence by providing pathways for students to develop a sense of belonging, a sense of themselves, and an awareness of their place in the world around them. WHOLE-CHILD DEVELOPMENT PARENT RELATIONSHIPS Parent-school partnerships are child-focused approaches wherein families and educators cooperate, coordinate, and collaborate to enhance opportunities for success for students across social, emotional, behavioral, and academic domains. Moreover, parent and family input is invaluable as parents support student learning, model lifelong learning, encourage character development and determination, and advocate for the educational needs of their child. Structural elements at The Craig School provide a means to this end, such as wholeteam collaboration with parents, parent input for educational programming and planning, parentteacher conferences, membership in the Parents’ Association (PACS), or volunteering at school. However, parent-school partnerships must pair these structural events with bi-directional communication. That is from parent to school and from school to parent. Through bi-directional parent-school relationships, such as two-way information sharing and joint decision-making and collaboration, pathways are formed for improved student outcomes. As you get to know the teachers at The Craig School, you will find staff, faculty, and administration who are communicative and ready to partner with our families.
LOWER/MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Practical Math - Everyday Applications Multisensory Instruction Mnemonics Strategy IXL Online Program Orton-Gillingham Based Math Domain Specific Vocabulary Jump Math Delta Math MATH Curriculum is based on state standards Foundational vocabulary, concepts, and academic vocabulary focus Multi-sensory approach STEM program across all grade levels Lower School approach is hands-on Middle School incorporates executive functioning skills: SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES - note-taking strategies - test-taking strategies - long-term assignment planning - time management and prioritizing Orton-Gillingham Project Read Diagnostic and Prescriptive Instruction Notice & Note Read Naturally Lexia Strategies Lindamood-Bell Morphology Novel-Specific Vocabulary - Linguistics - Story Form - Report Form Structured Literacy - Core 5 - Power up READING Technology Assisted Writing Process Project Read Lindamood Bell Visualizing and Verbalizing Vocabulary Development IXL and Quill for reinforcement (online programs) WRITING Handwriting Without Tears - Framing Your Thoughts - Paragraph Writing
Speech and Language therapy: individual, small group Occupational therapy: individual, small group, consult Physical Therapy: individual, small group, consult Counseling RELATED SERVICES Progress Report - 3x per year Parent-Teacher Conferences - 2x per year Communication Ladder Weekly Newsletter Parent Webinars Parent-to-Parent Coffee Gatherings PARENT/TEACHER PARTNERSHIP Friday electives: art, drama, fishing, hiking, newspaper, STEM, swim Badger Homework Support to foster independence Frost Valley Environmental Camp (7th & 8th Grade) Ski Program Culminating educational trip for graduates Summer Academics & Enrichment Programs Art Show / Performing Arts Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) STUDENT LIFE AND TRADITIONS Interschool Athletics - Soccer, Basketball, Lacrosse, Cross Country Other: Art, Fencing EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Self-Awareness Self-Management Responsible Decision Making Relationship Skills Social Awareness EF+SEL are key elements of academic success. Our SEL curriculum is based on the CASEL framework which includes: Direct Instruction in SEL classes On-Staff Social Clinicians Social Coaching-group + Individual Homeroom Mentoring Peer Leadership Program School-Wide positive reinforcement behavior management system School-Wide Executive Functioning Program Our SEL curriculum includes: WHOLE CHILD DEVELOPMENT Reading Fluency Assessment - 3x per year TOWL-4 (Test of Written Language) - 1x per year NWEA MAP Growth Assessment - 3x per year Scholastic Reading Inventory for Lexile levels - 2x per year WIAT-4 - Incoming students Woodcock Reading Mastery GORT-5 DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT School-Wide Executive Functioning Support Systems Reference sheets Every strategy taught at The Craig School has a reference sheet, graphic organizer and checklist detailing how it is performed. Students are encouraged to use these reference sheets for all classwork and homework assignments until they master the strategies. Reference sheets can be found in the Organizational binder and on Google Classroom. Google Suite for Education School-wide binder system Weekly organizational checks Reference sheets and checklists for visual reminders ORGANIZATION INTERDISCIPLINARY RACE - reading/writing connection Project Read Report Form/Written Expression Morphology Following Orton–Gillingham model of instruction - Diagnostic - Prescriptive - Cumulative - Sequential - Multi-sensory TECHNOLOGY One-to-one laptops - Google G Suite for Education Google Chrome Grammarly 3D printer for STEM lab Interactive Whiteboards in every classroom Front Row FM System in every classroom Learning Ally - Providing support through extensive library of human read audiobooks - Read and Write Premium - Kami- Comprehensive reading & writing support for Docs, Web pages, PDF’s - Text-to-Speech - Speech- to- text - Simplify websites - Vocabulary enhancement - Fluency practice
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Development of vocabulary and writing skills through explicit instruction and modeling (Key Vocab Routine) Grammar building and reinforcement with a focus on usage, mechanics, and editing Focus on the writer's purpose, audience, and task (Key Writing Routine) Writing Portfolio to gauge progress and assess growth WRITING Exploration of a variety of literary genres including short stories, poetry, graphic novels, novels, and plays Focus on plot, character, and theme Incorporation of a series of reading strategies including Paraphrasing and Summarizing, Visual Imagery, and Word Mapping (Key Comprehension Routine) Introduction to Inferencing Strategies LITERATURE The Craig High School is an accredited college prep high school for students with learning disabilities. Our college prep program addresses the development of the whole student with the goal of providing a comprehensive high school experience while guiding them to be the independent learners that they aspire to be. We accomplish this by helping them build a greater understanding of themselves. This understanding includes their roles as both a learner and an individual, the specifics of their learning disabilities, and most importantly, their own unique aptitudes. This collective self-understanding allows them to find their voice and play an active role in their postsecondary pursuits. The program at Craig High is cross-curricular, integrated, and designed to facilitate active teaching and learning. Our curriculum incorporates various learning strategies, teaching methodologies, and executive functioning skills that are threaded throughout all of our courses. This immersive approach allows our students to develop the tools they need to manage their learning and build the social and self-advocacy skills that are vital to success both in and out of the classroom. In addition, Craig High’s curriculum is aligned with the core standards for secondary education and the graduation requirements set forth by the State of New Jersey. The Craig High School (CHS) HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
Math Reference sheets are incorporated across our entire math curriculum. Focus on student note-taking skills following a Sample-Example format. Active role in creating and building student resources for independent work both in class and at home Visual Tools-Graphic Organizers (Top Down Webs) Emphasis on math reasoning and problem-solving skills Practical and real-world scenarios and applications Math binder with an emphasis on organization and independence MATH Cross-Curricular Projects Focus on textbook navigation, extracting and interpreting historical information Incorporation of research and collaboration skills Use of Two Column Guided Notes and Video Note-taking Geographical knowledge and map skills are reinforced HISTORY Note-taking focus Science Reference sheets are incorporated across all the science courses with a focus on how science is used to explore the world in which we live Hands-on experiments using high-tech measuring devices (i.e Oscilloscope, Spectrum Analyzer, Galvanometer) with an emphasis on data gathering and visual representation of results SCIENCE Examination of important artists and art movements with a focus on how the arts shape the cultural contributions of a global society Projects utilize a variety of art media and focus on selfexpression, creative problem-solving, collaboration, goal setting, and time management. Afterschool Art Workshops Annual photography competition Art-based elective courses School-wide Community Art Projects Development of a visual portfolio that showcases each artist's unique point of view and growth as an artist. Annual field trips that invite students to view artistic works from a variety of established artists. Establishment of a CHS National Art Honors Society ART SELF-PROGRAM Our self-program encourages students to explore issues of self-identity, develop and practice social interaction skills, and understand their changing roles and responsibilities. All combined, it allows our students a stronger sense of self ranging from self-awareness and culminating with effective self-advocacy. Support systems within our Self-Program include: Courses in our Self-Program Include: On-Staff School Psychologist and Social Clinician Social coaching – group and individual Daily mentoring School-wide SEL program Freshmen Foundations Career Awareness and Preparation Post-Secondary Strategies Life after High School Drivers Education Financial Literacy and Business Multi-Media Presentations Orton-Gillingham Phonics Instruction One-on-One Reading Speech and Language (Individual and Group) Daily Coach Program (Guidance and Mentoring Program) ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS One to One Chromebooks IXL (individualized skill-based focus in Math and English) Kami (speech to text, text to speech) Grammarly Learning Ally Google - G-Suite for Education Google Chrome extensions that are individualized for the needs of each learner including Read & Write Premium Interactive Whiteboards Front Row Systems ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Sports in District (District Placed Students only) Student-generated and student-led Common Clubs Various sports programs including Cross Country, Bowling, Basketball Intramural Leagues including Volleyball, Soccer, and Softball Weekend Stepping Out Program (weekend social opportunities) Established Chapter of the National Honor Society Established Chapter of the National Art Honor Society Culminating educational trip for graduates Summer Academic Programs EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS Development of a dynamic “Student Learning Profile” that is shared with parents and all teachers Weekly Student Roundtables: A team of teachers meets for focused problem-solving discussions on individual students, their current successes, and ongoing challenges Parental communication includes mid-marking period Progress Narratives and trimester report cards Shared Academic Portfolios Weekly Newsletter for Parents Weekly Student Newsletter also shared with Parents Parent-Teacher Conferences (twice a year) SCHOOL PARENT PARTNERSHIP PSAT and SAT Test Center ACT Test Center MAP Growth-NWEA The Career Interests, Preferences, and Strengths Inventory (CIPSI) Self-Regulation Questionnaire DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS
Adelphi University American University Anna Maria College Anthem Institute Atlantic Cape Community College Beacon College Becker College Bergen Community College Bergen County Technical School Berkeley College Bowling Green State University Bryant University Caldwell College Capri Institute Case Western Reserve University Cazenovia College Centenary College Champlain College Clarkson University College Internship Program at the Berkshire Center College of St. Joseph Colorado Mountain College Concordia College County College of Morris Curry College Daemen College Dean College Delaware State University Drew University Dover Business College Eastern Kentucky University Eastern University Eckerd College Emerson College Endicott College Essex County College Fairfield University Fairleigh Dickinson University WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR CURRENT COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LIST COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES 2004-2023
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LIST 2004-2023 Felician College Ferrum College Gannon University Green Mountain College Hartwick College High Point University Hofstra University Iona College Ithaca College Johnson State College Keuka College Kings College Kutztown University Landmark College Lebanon Valley College Lees-McRae College LeMoyne College Lesley University Lincoln College of New England Lincoln Technical Institute Lipscomb University Livingstone College Long Island University - C.W. Post Loyola University Lyndon State College Lynn University Manhattanville College Maplebrook School C.AP.S. Marian University Marietta College Marist College Marshall University Marywood University Massachusetts Maritime Academy Mercyhurst College Middlesex County College Misericordia University Mitchell College Monmouth University Johnson & Wales University Montclair State University Moravian College Mount Ida College Mount St. Mary’s University Muhlenberg College New England College New Jersey City University New Jersey Institute of Technology New York Institute of Technology - VIP Nova Southeastern University Pace University Paul Smith’s College Penn State University Pennsylvania College of Technology Quinnipiac University Ramapo College Raritan Valley College Richard Stockton College of NJ Rochester Institute of Technology Roger Williams University Russell Sage College Rutgers University Sacred Heart University Saint Michael's College Salisbury University Saint Thomas Aquinas College Seton Hall University Southern Vermont College Stevenson University Stonehill College Suffolk University SUNY Cobleskill SUNY Delhi SUNY Potsdam Susquehanna University Syracuse University TCNJ - Community and Career Studies The College of New Jersey Trident Technical College Union County College University of Arizona University of Connecticut University of Hartford University of Maine University of Maine at Farmington University of New Hampshire University of New Haven University of North Carolina University of Oregon University of Southern Maine University of Tampa University of Vermont Ursinus College Vermont Technical College Washington College Western State College of Colorado Widener University William Paterson University
Locations CRAIG HIGH SCHOOL 24 Changebridge Road Montville, NJ 07045 ADMINISTRATION 10 Tower Hill Road Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 LOWER/MIDDLE SCHOOL 15 Tower Hill Rd Mountain Lakes, NJ 07046 973-334-1234 www.craigschool.org [email protected]