The Secondary Therapeutic Alternative High School, (STAP) offers an alternative approved public day school program for students with neurological, social, communication and learning challenges in grades (9-12).

To accommodate the wide range of learning abilities of our students, the STAP curriculum and instruction are personalized and modified to meet each student’s individual needs. Small class size gives teachers the opportunity to employ more interactive instructional strategies. Student interests and learning styles are taken into account in an effort to create stimulating, rigorous, and engaging academic programming. Emphasis is also placed on students developing self-management and organizational skills, self-advocacy skills, and relationship building skills, while developing social and pragmatic language and the use of appropriate coping strategies and interaction skills.

Courses are provided that will meet credit requirements for graduation or for functional and transition skill requirements. Students carry a full schedule of academic courses and receive credit toward graduation requirements. The program is aligned with the Massachusetts Common Core Standards. Depending on the level of skill development, students participate in the MCAS Assessment with or without accommodations, or the MCAS Alternate Assessment.

Involvement with colleges, other social services, and community-based organizations is considered an important component of the program. Efforts are made to identify vocational interests and aptitudes for each student. Career awareness and transition planning are addressed on a daily basis. Additionally, it is a belief of this program that students become more connected and invested in their education when they are personally involved in goal setting and making choices within a therapeutic and supportive environment. Students are encouraged to participate in vocational experiences such as internships, job shadows and work experiences that are considered part of the total educational program.

Program goals include consistent attendance, successful completion of supported transition and vocational experiences, and coursework resulting in a high school diploma or certificate of high school completion, post-secondary education, and preparation for employment.

The teaching team strives to develop close working relationships with students. Parents / guardians are considered partners in the educational process and supportive relationships are honed between student, school staff and parents/guardians.

RELATED SERVICES: On-site social groups and/or counseling are provided as part of this program.

FOR ALL REFERRALS, PLEASE CONTACT JULIE O’CONNOR, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES, at joconnor@bicounty.org