School Description
The Rise School of Austin is a non-profit organization providing the highest quality of early childhood education services to children with developmental disabilities and children without disabilities. The program provides school-based services for children 18 months up to 6 years of age. Children are grouped according to age and individual needs with each class containing a diverse range of abilities.
A number of services are offered to families that include physical, occupational, speech, and music therapies, using a collaborative/consultative service delivery approach. Services are delivered through an integrated therapy model, in which therapeutic recommendations and strategies are incorporated into the daily activities of each classroom. Rise teachers and instructional teacher assistants implement the therapeutic activities with ongoing monitoring and input from our team of therapists. Using this approach, therapy is delivered throughout the child’s school day.
Rise operates 11 months a year, August through June, and is aligned as closely as possible with the schedule of the local school systems. The hours of operation are from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
The Rise School of Austin is affiliated with The University of Texas at Austin and functions as an observation site and instructional program for both undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Education, Department of Special Education. UT Austin students provide many volunteer hours with Rise children to fulfill community service requirements.
Rise Austin also collaborates with St. Edward’s University, Austin Community College, and Texas State University in order to provide observations sites for their students in education. Rise Austin also provides business students a site to learn about non-profit organization development and marketing strategies and is a place for undergraduates to learn about and provide community service.
The Rise School of Austin is licensed by the Child Care Division of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services and adheres to these standards with monitoring through TDPRS site visits. The Rise School of Austin is located at the Highland Park Baptist Church in the Children’s Education Building. We are very grateful to the ministry for providing the facilities to operate our school!
Class Description
The Rise School of Austin currently has four classrooms for 8-12 children, 50-70% of whom have disabilities. Children are assigned to classrooms based on their chronological age, individual needs, and available space. Each classroom employs a teacher who has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and up to two instructional teacher assistants. The adult to child ratio is approximately one adult for every three children. Children are under the supervision of a responsible adult at all times.
During the typical school day, each child will follows a schedule that includes individual activities, group activities, gross motor play indoors or outdoors, therapeutic services as indicated, lunch, and rest. Each child’s schedule is individualized so that the day can include as many learning opportunities as possible. Our curriculum is theme based with all activities revolving around the central theme of the week.
Based on individual needs, some children may be referred for supplemental direct therapies available in the community. In such instances, therapists will confer with parents and the teacher to discuss recommendations and make referrals for additional therapy services.