Exceptional Students and Transition to Adulthood

• Currently there are 7 students in the program, with a student teacher ratio of 4:1.
• Our teachers are Orton-Gillingham certified.
• Our program boasts a dedicated facility where students can learn life skills in addition to academics.

Mornings are spent at Hawk Haven, a brick ranch home that provides a nurturing environment for learning. In addition to their academic work, the students practice life skills such as cooking, cleaning, and gardening. The Haven has a fully equipped kitchen, a raised garden bed, and backyard swing set.

Every Friday, student work together to clean the Haven. This routine helps students to recognize the importance of keeping their environment clean and safe. Students vacuum, clean bathrooms and windows, wipe down tables and chairs, and organize their task boxes.

8:15 - 8:45 am    Check-in

Students complete a morning routine that includes a calendar, hygiene checklist, writing and math.

8:45 - 9:30 am    Bible and Snack

Bible lessons focus on a theme verse for the week. Students enjoy daily lessons and worship time.

9:30 - 11:30 am   Small Group Time

Students are divided into small groups based on learning styles, skill levels, and personal interest. This strategy maximizes student potential for growth. During this time, students work through monthly units from Unique Learning which include literacy, math, and life skills.

11:30 am - 12:10 pm    Task Box Time

Students complete small, hands-on activities which reinforce learning. Examples include sorting silverware, matching socks, handwriting, etc. They may also practice typing on iPads.

12:10 - 2:45 pm   Transition to Main Campus

Students enjoy lunch, recess, and afternoon specials on WCA's main campus, across the street from the Hawk Haven.

Unique Living

Much of our academic learning centers around monthly thematic units from Unique Living. These units include elements from science, history, literacy, math, and life skills.

Language Arts

Our Exceptional Students teachers are Orton-Gillingham certified. Students practice phonics skills with curriculum from the  Institute for Multi-Sensory Education. They also have regular library time to help them develop a love of reading.

Math

Our Unique Living units include math problems that correspond to the monthly theme. We cover foundational math concepts while focusing on real-life applications such as time, money, measurement, etc. We use Touch Math as a supplement to teach number sense.

Transition to Adulthood

Each month we introduce essential life skills.  These include home safety, healthy habits, and respectful relationships, among others. Students also practice practical skills like cooking, cleaning and gardening.

Weekly Specials

Afternoon enrichment classes include art, music, Spanish, STEAM and physical education.

Our Transition to Adulthood program permeates our daily curriculum as well as special events and field trips. 

• Monthly units from Unique Living incorporate concepts like relationships, personal health, and safety.
• Weekly cooking and cleaning lessons at Hawk Haven reinforce useful household skills.
• Students participate in an in-house Teacher Assistant Program, sorting silverware for the WCA chef and helping teachers with administrative tasks such as sorting and stapling papers.
• Field trips are thoughtfully designed to allow students to apply learned skills in meaningful, real-world settings. We carefully select engaging and exciting destinations, such as Bitty & Beau’s, grocery stores, local restaurants, and the Public Library. 
   

After mornings at Hawk Haven, students eat lunch and spend their afternoon in WCA’s main building. Our students benefit from daily interaction and partnership with other classes. We enjoy Buddy Days when we participate in fun activities with mainstream students.

EC students are included in weekly chapel, student mission trips, and school-wide family events such as the Christmas program and Family Bingo. Mainstream students from WCA also volunteer at events such as Night to Shine, an annual prom for special needs students hosted at Weddington Methodist Church.