Educational Advocacy
Tides School
• CERTIFICATIONS: Certified by the Rhode Island Department of Education
• GRADE LEVELS: Fifth (5th) to Twelfth (12th) Grade
• CAMPUS: West Warwick, RI
• FOCUS: Maintaining client-centered, strength-based, therapeutic and academic programs for all students
• COURSE OFFERINGS: Private School Placements • Full Culinary Arts Program • Introductory Construction Skills Program • No Additional Cost, Six-Week Summer Tutorial Program
• PHILOSOPHY: Each student receives the appropriate level of academic support for their needs • Clinically-Based Therapeutic Services offer every opportunity to achieve success
George N. Hunt School
• CERTIFICATIONS: Certified by the Rhode Island Department of Education
• GRADE LEVELS: First (1st) to Twelfth (12th) Grade
• CAMPUS: Providence, RI
• FOCUS: Therapeutic day program serving special education students with specific social/emotional and mental health needs.
• COURSE OFFERINGS: Courses aim to prepare students to rejoin public schools when they demonstrate readiness.
• PHILOSOPHY: To offer high staff-to-student ratios and align with RI State Common Core Standards, emphasizing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Positive Behavioral Interventions (PBIS). School clinicians offer therapeutic aid based on individual needs and IEPs.
Graduates
At Tides education programs, we graduate an average of 6 students per year with approximately 60 students in the past ten years. The majority of the students referred to our program have been enrolled in other day school placements but for various reasons had difficulty adapting to those settings. Because Tides has a no-reject philosophy, the schools accept any student a school department refers and provides multiple opportunities for them to be successful.
Why Students Succeed
Why Students Succeed~
Social Growth- Many of our students have not had the opportunity to participate in sports, cultural events or field trips. Once privileges are earned each student participates in community activities to help them experience new adventures.
Vocational Training- Each student has the opportunity to participate in our culinary or carpentry program where they gain practical skills that allow them to be work ready upon graduation. Many students receive their Serve Certificate allowing them to work in a restaurant.
Academic Success- Each student receives individual support as we meet them where they are. Our first priority is a safe, healthy learning environment. Once the student feels safe, they are able to focus on their academic success.
Fun- Many of our students have experienced trauma and violence. They come from families that are struggling financially. Due to this, having fun seems like a dream and not a realty. Throughout the year, staff seek out unique opportunities for enrichment outside of school. This year students went ice skating, painting, horseback riding, hiking and golfing.
The Tides school teachers are state certified in special education and all staff are certified in crisis prevention and intervention training. All staff are now trained in trauma informed schools and understand how to de-escalate situations before a crisis develops.
As we continue to evaluate how we need to adapt our programming to meet the needs of the students we look forward to developing a job internship program in our vocational program and we are exploring ways to expand our computer technology training program. We look forward to another successful year.
Guiding Principles
- The Governing Principles of our School "We never give up on a kid, NEVER!"~ Brother Michael Reis
- We accept all students referred to our program and we provide multiple opportunities for them to be successful.
- We endeavor to set reasonable and achievable goals and expectations for each student on an individual basis.
- We modify goals based on the pace and success of the students development.
- We highlight a student's strength while we address various areas of need in academic, social, emotional and family settings.
- WE adopt the trauma informed school philosophy which allows us to create an environment of support in all areas for the student.
- We are a non-restraint facility and all staff are trained in non violent crisis prevention.
- We help each student prepare emotionally, socially and academically for success in school and in life.
Non-Restraint School
Tides utilizes a hands off approach when addressing behavioral issues. We employ a variety of behavior modifications techniques designed to deescalate situations before a crisis develops. Tides school staff focus on developing trusting relationships built on mutual respect, eliminating the need for physical restraint. As part of the education process, clinicians, teachers and behavior specialists work together to teach students the skills needed to manage their behaviors in appropriate, healthy, constructive ways with the ultimate goal of helping students make substantive, long lasting change.
Special Education Certified
The Tides School teachers are special education certified by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Each school is staffed with a licensed, independent social worker as well as strengths based Behavior Specialists. All Tides School staff are certified in Crisis Prevention and Intervention training.