July 6, 2016 -- The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is now enrolling three- to five-year-old peer models for its integrated preschool program.
The integrated preschool program is for children three to five years old who require special education programming. Typically developing children are also enrolled in the preschool program to ensure strong and appropriate peer modeling. The District values inclusion as the optimal method of teaching children with disabilities.
Peer models are children who are 3-5 years old who demonstrate strengths in areas of socialization, communication, cognition, and behavior. Peers participate in a screening process to become eligible as a peer model.
Students with and without disabilities benefit from this philosophy. The classes provide rich, language-based curriculum with a multi-sensory, developmental approach to teaching. There is a strong commitment to helping all children develop self-respect, positive peer relationships, self-control, and friendships based on mutual respect.
This program operates at Gearity Professional Development School, Tuesday – Friday from 8:30-11:30 (AM session) and 12:30-3:30 (PM session) during the regular school year.
The criteria for peer model applications are as follows:
English is the primary home language
Your child is 3 on or before August 1, 2016
Your child is potty trained on or before August 1, 2016
Your flexibility in class placement (AM vs. PM placement)
The per child cost is $317 per trimester ($951 per school year). There are also grant programs available to help with tuition for those who qualify.
For your child to be considered for this program, please call the Early Childhood Office at Gearity Professional Development School at 216-371-7356. You will then be contacted to set up an appointment for a screening. After the screening, the preschool team will contact you to discuss screening results.