Developing the Potential of Tomorrow’s Leaders

At Academics West, students in grades 7-12 participate in a unique program of self-directed learning in our Upper School that focuses on the development of leadership skills aimed to serve each student’s needs far into the future. As a college preparatory school, a devotion to academic excellence remains an ever-present part of our Upper School program. But beyond the Next Generation Learning Standards (formerly the common core standards of New York State), we work to prepare students to succeed socially and emotionally and to understand how to take on the decision-making responsibility they will need to succeed not just as college students but as independent adults.

Adolescent students experience learning in a variety of ways, and we work to build and reinforce skills through opportunities that go far beyond the traditional classroom. Students who struggle in a traditional middle or high school environment often thrive in unexpected ways when their needs for emotional, social, and executive functioning remediation are met with supports integrated into academic programming.

Our adolescents learn in 10:1:1 classes, led by a Lead Teacher and a Focus Teacher. Students in our Upper and Middle School may participate in our Mentor Program as well as the Heroes Council, leadership features not offered at other special education high schools in NYC.

Developing Skills in Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, Organization, and Time Management

To get ahead in school—and in the world beyond the classroom door—students need to hone their executive functioning skills. These are the building blocks that enable individuals to approach problems with an eye toward strategic solutions rather than pessimistic dismissal. These are also the skills that enable individuals to organize their ideas and their environment so that they can function optimally in their mental and physical space. Executive functioning skills that are mature and developed allow individuals to make wise decisions about the allocation of their time and to plan ahead to complete necessary projects.

Many adults have never fully developed these skills, and they live life on the razor’s edge of chaos, frustrated by their inability to accomplish goals. It makes sense for special education high schools in NYC to prioritize a solid grounding in these types of skills.

We recognize that many factors can prevent adolescents from reaching the level of executive functioning that supports optimum learning and life management. Our high support program addresses these factors from multiple angles. Supports are integrated seamlessly into the academic schedule so that students are never singled out for help or forced to miss part of the learning curriculum. With the right support in school and at home, middle and high school students have the potential to:

• Develop proficient verbal and non-verbal communication skills that enable them to advocate for themselves and others
• Build upon their unique strengths to pursue their interests effectively
• Understand how to participate in maturing social relationships
• Develop the tools to become independently-driven life-long learners
• Interact with peers cooperatively to solve problems

We use a variety of strategies to develop these critical skills, including team-building exercises, kinesthetic hands-on tasks, multi-mode projects, and more. In addition, a college transition class is integrated into each senior’s program before they graduate to best prepare them for their transition to college life. 

Students also enjoy a broad range of electives across the humanities and STEAM, including opportunities for enrichment in writing, the arts, technology, and scientific inquiry. This balanced approach encourages curiosity, creativity, and the development of broad academic skills. Our students also benefit from our Clinically Informed Academics® executive functioning skills instruction that is integrated into the school day to teach students how to become independent, strategic learners ready for life after Academics West. 

At AW, fostering students’ robust self-management skills, particularly their ability to manage stress, is a key objective. The cultivation of competencies such as self-confidence, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, conflict resolution, and assertiveness is thoroughly embedded within our educational framework. Recognizing that challenges and tension are inherent aspects of life, we prepare students to respond to them with proficiency and composure. 

Outside of the classroom, students are offered dynamic programming to help them acquire essential academic and social-emotional skills in a social context.  Some of our offerings are: 

• National Honor Society membership 

• AP Coursework and Honors Classes 

• Clubs such as Model UN and Dungeons & Dragons 

• Expressive Arts 

• Field Trips  

• Heroes Council 

• College Guidance 

Mentor Program

At this key time in their lives, it is important for adolescent students to feel their engagement with the community, and that starts with the school community that is such an integral part of their daily routine. One of the engagement tools that our middle and high school students particularly enjoy and that forms a key part of our pro-social programming is the Mentor Program.

The Mentor Program strategically pairs Upper School students with Lower School students. The older students enjoy the prosocial opportunity to help others, while the younger students benefit from student mentors who provide them with additional support. The duos meet weekly to share lunch, work on collaborative projects, and complete homework assignments. The program provides students with the opportunity to practice their social skills, build trust with one another, and create healthy relationships.

We view all of our students as heroes making their way through their own epic journeys, developing skills they did not realize they possessed to overcome a variety of challenges. A key component of the successful hero’s journey is the guidance of a mentor who understands the trials the hero is facing and is ready to offer support and guidance to prepare the hero to become increasingly self-reliant. Our mentor program enables students to experience the benefits of a mentor role from both sides. While it may seem that the Lower School student receiving guidance from the Upper School student is the primary beneficiary of the relationship, it often turns out that in teaching and through the realization of how they have come full circle in their progress, it is the Upper School student who finds the most satisfaction from serving as a mentor.

Heroes Council

Some of our Upper School students sharpen and enhance their leadership skills by participating in the Heroes Council, a student leadership group that works closely with faculty advisors and leadership in a variety of capacities to fulfill the mission of Academics West and encourage student integrity through enforcement of the institution’s Code of Conduct.

Members of the Heroes Council foster collective responsibility for student integrity and the well-being of our community. Both as a team and individually, the Heroes Council supports students as they learn from mistakes, make amends, and engage in pro-social behavior. Council members influence the nature and fairness of Restitution Tasks and are integral in restoring justice and a sense of safety and well-being in the community.

In addition to providing select Upper School students with the opportunity to influence how the school handles community infractions, members of this council also work directly with the Program Director to offer valuable input on student needs.

Find Out What Makes Academic West Stand Out Among Special Education High Schools in NYC

When you’re looking for a middle or high school environment with the right program to enable your student to reach their full potential and be equipped for life, the task can seem overwhelming. There are numerous factors to consider. We invite you to learn more about what we have to offer so you can see for yourself why our program is so successful at developing lifelong learners. Schedule a tour or phone discussion now to get started.