Somerset provides special education services for students 5 through 22 years of age, identified as needing special education services. Our underlining goal for successful student transition to least restrictive environments has enabled us to send many students back to public school programs. Embedded in our basic educational services are emotional, behavioral and social skill development programs and highly individualized behavior and social emotional goals, which are developed and implemented throughout the school day. Therapists and counselors are available for individual and group therapy, as well as crisis intervention.
Somerset offers a variety of education options and opportunities for our students, by providing individualized Common Core based curriculum for elementary, middle and high school students. The curriculum aligns with the Local Education Agency (LEA) where Somerset is located, and coordinates with the student’s district of residence to ensure successful matriculation. Individualized student assessment and the entire Individual Education Plan (IEP) team determine the academic, social and transitional goals for the student. All students participate in the Career Choices Curriculum, developed as the Freshman Transition initiative from George Washington University. The focus on planning and developing transitions into the education plan is a major component of the program. difference. Join us and see what can be accomplished when you get an impassioned team to focus on
Our extensive California Standards Based Alternative Life Skill Programs/ BASIC’s offer students, who have difficulty accessing traditional classroom environments. It is a program designed to develop student skills in the following domains: functional academic, community, vocational, domestic and life time leisure activities. Nonverbal ambulatory and autistic students experience classroom and social activities that facilitate through the Picture Exchange Communication System and TEACCH philosophies. Students are able to participate in community and vocational experiences on and off campus on a regular basis. All students participate in the Career Choices Curriculum, developed as the Freshman Transition initiative from George Washington University. The focus on planning and developing transitions into the education plan is a major component of the program.
The Choice Program provides students, who are in need of highly individualized plans to graduate and or enter post secondary and vocational opportunities. Students learn to make timely and successful transitions into economically self-sufficient lives. The focus is in reducing district drop out rates, increasing graduation and CAHSEE completion; this program provides students with options and the intensive additional support not found in the public school environment. All students participate in the Career Choices Curriculum, developed as the Freshman Transition initiative from George Washington University. The focus on planning and developing transitions into the education plan is a major component of the program.
Our Volunteer’s in the Community (VIC’s) program is a school-wide service, career, and transition opportunity for our students. Initially, an instructional strategy used by our BASIC’s program to incorporate curriculum to meet learning goals and content standards, it is now an integral component of Somerset’s educational experience. Each week students participate in community experiences that develop individual skills, are collaborative and beneficial to our community needs. Students are partnered up with designated personnel members and participate in local private businesses and public agencies that provide opportunities for our students to work in a variety of activities. Transportation - Somerset vans provide daily roundtrip home to school transportation as well as, field trips and extracurricular activities.
In 2013 Somerset began competing with other Nonpublic Schools in various sport activities. Basketball, Flag Football, and Softball teams practice and compete with other nonpublic schools during at alternating designated local fields. The primary focus is on sportsmanship and ability of the students to participate appropriately in competitive environments. The school winning the most games without behavioral issues is awarded the perpetual trophy at the end of the season. Students from all teams participate in a Winners Breakfast as a culminating awards event after each season.
Students at Somerset may earn their high school diploma through our curriculum which aligns with their home school district. Diplomas are issued to the student through their home districts. Student who are in the Foster Care system, and meet the requirements for AB 216 are also eligible to receive a diploma. Students completing a course of study, but are not on a diploma track will receive a Certification of Completion.
This is a long form text area designed for your content that you can fill up with as many wor DIS provides support to students with special needs in the areas of hearing, vision, speech and language, motor development, and behavior. These services are provided to help ensure success within the classroom and must be agreed upon during the student’s Individualized Education Program development. The DIS specialist may provide services directly to students or in collaboration with the classroom teacher in providing specialized instruction or adaptations within the student’s educational program and services.
Behavior Intervention Services– A specialist works with students with disabilities, their parents, and the educational staff to develop positive behavior interventions.
Career/Vocational Guidance -Teachers, counselors and transition coaches assist our students in employment, career, and independence. Sessions focus specifically on career development, employment preparation, achieving independence, and integration in the workplace and community.
Counseling - Somerset counselors, will assist students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development. This can include helping children with personal and social concerns such as developing self-knowledge, making effective decisions, learning health choices, and improving responsibility. Counselors may also help children with future planning related to setting and reaching academic goals, developing a positive attitude toward learning, and recognizing and utilizing academic strengths.
Occupational Therapy - Provides specialized services in fine/perceptual motor training, daily living skills and sensorimotor integration for special education students.
Speech and Language Therapy - Provides direct articulation, language, voice, and fluency interventions to students placed in a variety of general and special education settings.
Therapeutic Counseling - Use of psychosocial methods within a professional relationship with a licensed mental health professional, to assist the student to achieve greater realization of his potential.
Somerset’s overriding goal is to provide children an opportunity to experience success in structured individualized educational and therapeutic settings in an effort to shift their inner working model to a more positive functional one. Through this intervention, the student will increase positive personal and social interaction, as well as student and family functioning so that the student achieves their full potential, and remains in the least restrictive home and school environments. Long term strategies are developed to assist the students in learning how to manage their mental illnesses in the least restrictive educational and social environments. Each student will have a comprehensive treatment plan which will map his/her road to recovery, and monitor progress toward his/her educational benefit.
As a Special Education class for emotionally disturbed students, the Extended Day Class provides continuous therapeutic and crisis intervention support for students exhibiting severe emotional challenges. These challenges are often presented as significant learning and behavioral difficulties. The key feature is a longer school day and a classroom setting with a high ratio of educational and mental health professionals that allows for on-going daily therapeutic interventions, which will assist the students to effectively access their education. The daily interventions are designed to help students with long-term mental health disorders, to live their lives successfully. Continuous collaboration with students’ stakeholders, Least Restrictive Environment(LRE) placement team members, and district representatives, ensures the successful and timely transition to less restrictive main stream environments.
How can I enroll my child in your school?
Student must be a special education student with an IEP and be referred to Somerset by his/her district of residence.
My son/daughter is acting out at school and keeps getting suspended; can Somerset help me with his/her behavior?
Somerset offers extensive behavior intervention and support for students; these services are for Special Education Students
How much does it cost to go to school at Somerset?
Somerset is funded directly through funds received by the school district referring the student.
What is a Non-Public School? Are you a “real” school?
Somerset is a non public school that is certified by the California Department of Education, funded directly from the State through local districts and provides special education services for students whose educational needs cannot be met by the local school district.
How long does my student have to be at Somerset?
It is the goal of Somerset to work with the student, parents and district to identify and remediate educational areas of performance, thus enabling the student to re-enter the public school or a less restrictive educational environment.
What types of disabilities do the students have attending Somerset?
Somerset has specialized programs for Severely Handicapped, Developmentally Delayed, and Emotionally Disturbed students. Our programs offer high adult to student ratios and individualized instruction, often not available in their local districts.
Where do your teachers come from? Are they trained?
Somerset employs Special Education teachers credentialed by the State of California Teaching Commission. Teachers come to us from public school districts and universities. The teachers receive the same training as all other Special Education teachers. In addition, Somerset also provides additional and ongoing specialized teacher training opportunities for behavior management and disability specific areas.
What do you teach at Somerset?
Somerset follows the local school district’s curriculum, which meets or exceeds the California Common Core Standards. Student IEPs are followed and adapted to meet individual needs so the student may focus on receiving a Diploma or Certificate of Completion from high school.
Can my student graduate?
Most definitely yes!! Students, who satisfactorily complete their secondary education at Somerset, will graduate with their home school district’s diploma. However, it is the goal for students attending Somerset to successfully transition back to their home school prior to graduating.
My student has mental health needs. Does Somerset provide therapy?
Somerset offers counseling services, as well as additional multi-tiered interventions to assist the student in accessing his/her education and for the student to remain in a least restrictive environment.
Somerset is accredited as a Nonpublic Special Education school by the California Department of Education. It received the following commendations from its most recent review by the CDE.
School Accountability Report Card
Download below
By February 1 of each year, every school in California is required by state law to publish a School Accountability Report Card (SARC). The SARC contains information about the condition and performance of each California public school. Under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) all local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to prepare a Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), which describes how they intend to meet annual school-specific goals for all pupils, with specific activities to address state and local priorities. Additionally, data reported in an LCAP is to be consistent with data reported in the SARC.
California School Dashboard
The California School Dashboard provides the educators with meaningful information on the school and district progress so they can participate in decisions to improve.
https://www.caschooldashboard.org/
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