Clear Horizons Academy

SCHOOL MISSION

• To transform, through education, the lives of children with Autism and the lives of their families.

WHAT KIND OF SCHOOL ARE WE AND WHO DO WE SERVE? 

• We are a non-profit private school that specializes in educating children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as related disorders of learning. Our governing body is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity foundation. This foundation and Clear Horizons Academy, serve the whole community by holding educational trainings on Autism, providing money for research. and working with other educational organizations serving students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Students ages 3-12 from multiple counties attend our school. For the 2011-2012 school year, we anticipate adding a Jr. High program for children with Autism ages 12-15.

WHAT MAKES CLEAR HORIZONS ACADEMY UNIQUE? 

• We are the only non-profit private school in Utah County that specializes in teaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorders above a preschool age. We are also the only private school in all of utah that uses the DIR Model as a foundation to our educational philosophy and approach. The DIR Model encourages a developmentally-appropriate, individualized program for each child that is relationship-based and includes many other therapies which a child may need to succeed. 
  
  We strongly encourage parent involvement and encourage them to be a core part of their child\\\'s educational progress. 

WHAT IS OUR APPROACH?

• Our approach is a relationship-based learning environment which is individualized to each child with goals determined on their own developmental levels. With this individuality, we incorporate many additional practices the child may need, such as Sensory Integration, Errorless Learning, PECS and other visual communication systems, and other therapy programs. We also work closely with parents as a team to help the child progress. Team meetings held every 4-6 weeks allow us to consistently help to keep the child on the right educational path. 

WHAT DOES OUR CURRICULUM LOOK LIKE?

• Being a state certified school under the Carson Smith Scholarship legislation, we teach academic subjects on an individual basis or in small groups. We reinforce learning through various activities, such as dramatic play, music, motor play, etc. Every child learns differently. The general curricular guidelines are set by the state, but how the instruction is presented to each child is based on his/her individual needs.

WHAT DOES OUR TUITION LOOK LIKE?

• Tuition for each child varies, as it is income-based, on both household income and the number of other children in the home. Part of the tuition may include the Carson Smith Special Education Scholarship (Utah state funding) if the child qualifies. In addition, the school and its governing foundation hold many fund raising events and otherwise collect donations from the general public, corporations, and other generous charities and foundations to provide financial assistance through partial scholarships. We work hard to make it affordable for every family.

ADMISSIONS AND ENROLLMENT

• Measures used to evaluate applicants: application form.


• Of the students who applied for admission to this school for the current school year, 81-100% were accepted.


• 81-100% of students receive financial aid to attend this school.


• Tuition assistance is available for students.

OTHER FEATURES AND HIGHLIGHTS

• This school has an emphasis in special education.


• The best way to contact this principal is by email.


• The principal started at this school in 2010.


• Foreign language(s) spoken by staff: Spanish.


• This school does not provide transportation for students.


• This school has the following facilities and learning resources: auditorium and playground.


• This school\\\'s Facebook page::http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/ClearHorizonsAcademy


• Contact information for questions about learning difficulties and special education program offerings
  
  
  
  • Name: Stephanie Nilsen
  
  
  • Title: Headmaster
  
  
  • Phone: (801) 437-0490