Class Description

Rise has two classrooms for 10-12 children with approximately 40 - 50% being children without disabilities. Children are assigned to classrooms based on their chronological age (ages 18 month – 6 years) and educational needs. Each classroom employs a teacher who has a Masters degree, or is working towards one, and 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.

As with other aspects of the School, Rise's calendar and hours are based on the Rise program in Tuscaloosa. The year-round schedule also is aligned as closely as possible with the schedule of Oklahoma State University and the Stillwater Public School system. The projected days of operation for each year are supplied in advance to allow parents time to plan alternative child-care options. Please refer to the calendar on the homepage for more information. The classes operate from 8:30 A.M. until 2:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.

During the typical school day, each child 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. The instructional theme of the week for each class is posted at their classroom door.

Rise offers a number of services to children that may include occupational, physical, speech, and music therapies using a collaborative/consultation service delivery model. Services are delivered through an integrated therapy approach in which the therapeutic activities are provided routinely by the teachers and instructional teacher assistants with ongoing input from the therapists. The therapeutic activities are integrated into the daily routine of each classroom. The therapists monitor the activities on a regular basis. Using this approach, therapy is delivered in an efficient manner during a child's school day.

Based on individual children's needs, some children may be referred for supplemental direct therapies available in the community. Therapists confer with parents and the teacher to discuss recommendations and make referrals for additional therapy services.

Rise School is licensed by the Division of Child Care of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Rise adheres to these standards with monitoring through OKDHS-DCC site visits. The most recent compliance report is posted on the Rise Bulletin Board.