BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Summit Academy uses positive behavioral supports based on the principles of ABA. We focus on the development of positive relationships with adults and peers, modeling, teaching and rewarding pro-social, healthy and respectful behaviors, collaborative problem-solving, conflict resolution training, and teamwork to aid in the social and emotional development of all students.
Our full time Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a Safety-Care Crisis Prevention trainer and conducts safety training with all of our staff members. This is a program that provides the strategies necessary to effectively prevent, minimize and manage behavioral challenges with dignity, safety and alternative behaviors.
Our Universal Behavior Plan for the high school students continues to be used across all school settings. This plan reinforces positive behaviors and students earn points during each block that equate to the value of "dollars." These points are earned based on how many reminders and prompts students need to stay on tasks, stay focused, complete their work and be kind to others. Teachers and staff may also award points when students meet expectations independently or go above and beyond expectations.
Students spend all day earning points and are able to cash them in throughout the week. Our high school students love to spend their points on computer time, library time, school store purchases and other preferred activities. On Fun Fridays, that have completed their work and met expectations throughout the week have the opportunity to spend points on bigger events such as community trips to restaurants, hiking trips, 1:1 martial arts lesson, a movie with popcorn, learning to cook and individual STEM lessons. Any points that are not used throughout the week go into the Auction Bank to be spent at our two Point Auctions-December and June. Point sheets are sent home daily for a parent/guardian signature which also earns points upon return.
Systems may be modified in response to the changing needs of the classroom or individual student, and should be guided and informed by the collection and analysis of classrom behavior data.