Recent Highlights
- Kennedy Krieger High School graduated twenty-six students from nine of our Local School Systems this year. Twenty-three of those students earned a High School Diploma and thirteen a certificate of completion.
- Kennedy Krieger High School staff provided professional development to the Department of Juvenile Services, assisting DJS academic staff with training on Universal Design for Learning, Response to Intervention strategies, and educational assessment.
- Kennedy Krieger High School Staff and Parents began fund raising as part of a KKI campaign to augment a special purpose fund known as “the Cupid Fund”. The Cupid Fund enables students with limited finances to enjoy aspects of student life such as the purchase of yearbooks, school jackets, school rings, attendance to the Prom and other student activities.
The Kennedy Krieger High School (KKHS) is a co-educational non-public special education day program serving students aged 14 — 21, and is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The population of approximately 200 students attends one of three KKHS Academies. All students are referred to KKHS by a Local School System (LSS) and are enrolled in either 10 or 11 month programs. Students come from many Maryland school districts, the District of Columbia, and districts in neighboring states. They may be working to earn a Maryland high school diploma from their local school district, or a Maryland State Certificate of Completion. One or more Industry-Based Certificates may be attainable as well. All academy placements are made after an interview, and a KKHS team thoroughly reviews records and the specific needs of the referred student.
Transportation is provided by the LSS.
Instruction
Instruction is provided in accordance with Maryland’s Core Learning Goals and Voluntary State Curriculum. Depending on the academic need of the student, materials or techniques may be modified to accommodate for the needs of the individual student, including the use of assistive technologies. For some students, the instructional experience is supplemented with the use of Community Based Instruction (CBI), which builds functional daily living skills.
Classrooms are outfitted with computers for student use in classwork. Assistive technologies for students with specific needs identified in their IEPs have these technologies supplied as well. Additionally, students have access to the France-Merrick Media Center, a well-stocked library and media center staffed by a certified media specialist.
All Students participate in industry training within specially designed industry classrooms and student-run businesses as well as Work-Based Learning (WBL) within the school and with business partners in the community. These experiences are designed to prepare students for careers in one of the following five industry areas or “clusters”:
- Information Technology
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Manufacturing and Construction
- Horticulture
- Retail and Consumer Services
Instruction within industry clusters and WBL enables students to learn about their career interests in authentic settings. Students with significant academic or cognitive needs may participate in Contract Service activities related to a designated career cluster. The coupling of an individualized classroom and a spectrum of workplace experiences provides students the opportunity to experience and attain the skills necessary to be successful in a range of work settings.
At KKHS, instruction is designed on a School-to-Work (STW) model. The focus of the program is to provide a dynamic high school experience that partners businesses with faculty members offering a complete and seamless transition when students move from school to training, supported employment, employment, higher education, or other options.
Few programs offer the comprehensive STW training that will prepare students with disabilities to meet the workplace challenges of the 21st Century. KKHS offers a unique combination of instruction and workplace experiences in an environment that promotes industry standard-based competence and sound academics.
Intervention Models
The KKHS operates three “schools within a school”, or academies. The academies are designed to allow students of a wide range of skills and abilities to achieve their academic goals in the least restrictive setting possible. The academy design incorporates specialized delivery of instruction, classroom structure and behavioral interventions. Students may transition between KKHS programs as their developmental needs change.
Academy I
Academy I students are enrolled in courses within the general curriculum, leading to a Maryland high school diploma. These curricula are LSS designed and aligned with the Maryland’s Core Learning Goals and Voluntary State Curriculum. Students receive academic support, including IEP driven accommodations and modifications within the curriculum. Each student must also meet all academic requirements of their home school district in order to receive a diploma upon graduation.
Classrooms in Group A of this Academy (IA) serve students with a wide range of special education needs. Students are placed within Academy IA based on KKHS team decision after consideration regarding the level of social and behavioral support each student requires. Academy IA is the least restrictive academy and requires the most independence in social and behavioral areas.
Classrooms in Group B, the social support classrooms in this Academy, specifically serve students with a greater need for social or behavioral support. These students may be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), anxiety disorders, or communication disorders which require increased social and interpersonal support provided by educators and mental health clinicians.
Academy II
This program offers more intensive behavioral structure and increased therapeutic support to address significant behavioral needs. Academy II students may be enrolled in courses within the general curriculum, leading to a Maryland high school diploma, or they may be enrolled in courses which provide exposure to the general curriculum which has been modified depending on the academic needs of the student. These students’ instructional experience is also supplemented through the use of functional or skill building curricula and through the use of Community Based Instruction (CBI). Students are placed in Academy II after consideration of the level of behavioral support the student requires.
Students are enrolled in courses within the general curriculum, leading to a High School diploma. These curricula are LSS designed and aligned with the Maryland’s Core Learning Goals and Voluntary State Curriculum. Students in this program will participate in the Maryland High School Assessments (HSA) schedule. Students are required to pass these assessments or receive a state mandated combined score through testing or additional interventions in order to earn a diploma. Students receive academic support, including IEP driven accommodations and modifications within the curriculum. Each student must also meet all academic requirements of the school district in which the student resides to receive the diploma upon graduation. Students enrolled in the functional or life skills curriculum will participate in the Maryland Alternative Assessment (Alt-MSA) and will graduate with a Certificate of Completion. Students enrolled in this curriculum participate in Community Based Instruction (CBI), cooking classes and other functional offerings.
Academy III
Students in this Academy present the most significant need for special education or related services support in a classroom setting, with a disorder or disability which has a significant impact on academic or cognitive function. Academy III students are enrolled in courses which provide exposure to the general curriculum with modification depending on the academic needs of the student. These students’ instructional experience is also supplemented through the use of functional or skill building curricula and through the use of Community Based Instruction (CBI). Academy III concentrates on global, daily support for all aspects of academic, social, and communication needs.
These students may work primarily in a single classroom or travel between two classrooms to receive exposure to general curriculum content. Class assignments are made after considering academic, social, and emotional needs, resulting in “specialty classrooms” serving students with similar social and academic needs. All students in Academy III participate in Community Based Instruction (CBI), cooking classes and other functional offerings.
Assessment of Progress
Students in Academy I participate in the Maryland High School Assessments (HSA) schedule. Students are required to pass these assessments or receive a state mandated combined score through testing or additional interventions in order to earn a diploma.
Students enrolled in the functional or life skills curriculum (some Academy II and all Academyu III) participate in the Maryland Alternative Assessment (Alt-MSA) and graduate with a Certificate of Completion.
Additionally, IEPs are reviewed for quarterly assessment of progress and included in the report card shared with families.
- Speech Language Disorders
- Emotional Disorders
- Intellectual Disability
- Orthopedic Impairments
- Other Health Impairments
- Specific Learning Disabilities
- Multi-Handicapping Conditions
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Autism
Related services identified on each student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are offered. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Speech/Language Pathology
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- School Health Services
- Psychiatry
- Assistive Technology
- Audiology
- Counseling
- Expressive Therapy
Positive Behavior Intervention
The KKHS provides support to students which allows them to remain on task and productive in their classroom or workplace assignments, without disruption or distraction. The school encourages students to maintain their focus on cooperation, completion of tasks, and appropriate social interactions by using a positive behavior management system. This system includes the use of a daily point sheet to monitor compliance with individual target behaviors as well as universal expectations for cooperative and productive behaviors. Additionally, support is available to students who experience behavioral difficulties through extensive training of all school staff in positive behavior management techniques, and the availability of space in the school for regaining control and eventual return to instruction or work based learning activities.
Preparation for Employment
Kennedy Krieger High School, Career and Technology Center offers students a chance to prepare for entry-level jobs in one of five career clusters:
- Information Technology
- Manufacturing and Construction
- Horticulture
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Retail and Consumer Services
In their first year, students complete an industry survey course exploring aspects of each industry area included in the KKHS program. Students learn what types of jobs are available in these fields and what skills are needed to pursue those opportunities. During the survey course each student’s abilities and interests are assessed by the KKHS team; this includes observation as well as formal and informal assessment.
After completion of the survey course the KKHS team, parents, and student follow guidelines to select an industry “major” which will guide the student’s career education while at KKHS. These majors may change during a student’s high school career depending on student interest, parental input, and KKHS team decision. Each cluster involves a Student Run Business (SRB) that provides experience for students in all aspects of work in their cluster major. These majors include:
Information Technology and Office Skills
Students in the Information Technology cluster usually concentrate on one of two areas: the troubleshooting and maintenance of computer hardware and the use of office based computer applications. They also focus on tasks related to the production and distribution of desktop publishing. The cluster operates a business called Paper Trails, which offers graphic design services to Kennedy Krieger Institute departments and other organizations and Bulldog Systems which offer technical assistance to staff and students.
Hospitality and Tourism
Hospitality and Tourism students prepare for jobs in the hospitality and food service industry. Students learn appropriate kitchen hygiene, how to manage tasks such as inventories, dishwashing and food preparation. Students in this cluster work in Café James, serving light breakfast and lunch fare daily. Students operate restaurant equipment and work with customers placing orders, paying for purchases and arranging deliveries.
Manufacturing and Construction
Manufacturing and Construction students learn a wide variety of tasks related to building and maintenance. This cluster prepares students for careers in building trades. The career scope includes, but is not limited to: carpenters, painters, drywall hangers, roofers, and mechanics. Students may work in Bulldog Construction, completing furniture construction or repair to order as well as working on larger products such as gazebos and ticket booths.
Horticulture
Students enrolled in this industry cluster learn the skills and requirements of careers related to agriculture and landscaping. Students work in a classroom setting, in designated areas on —campus, and support a greenhouse. They may operate small landscaping equipment and other tools related to agricultural trades.
Retail and Consumer Services
The Retail cluster prepares students for careers in stores, malls and supermarkets, as well as human services professions. Students are prepared for jobs in customer service, stock and inventory management, personnel management, data entry, marketing and sales. Job skills needed for success in Retail and Consumer Services are wide-ranging. To meet those varied skills the school has established three student run, retail and consumer businesses. At the credit union, students master data entry, accounts payable and receivable and basic bookkeeping. Students working in the school store have the opportunity to choose products, maintain inventories and work with vendors—in addition to handling customer requests and making sales. Finally, work in the upscale M&M boutique teaches students how to greet customers, help them find the items they want, make sales and create displays.Work Based Learning (WBL)
The KKHS Career and Technology Center offers an array of job experiences outside of the classroom. Partnering with over 40 regional businesses KKHS provides students with an opportunity to use and expand the knowledge and skills they have obtained within their industry classrooms.
Work-based learning (WBL), a component of KKHS programming, includes a number of task analyzed and progressively independent work placements that afford students authentic experience in a job directly related to their chosen industry or student interest. These jobs can range from a short-term or introductory placement to a long-term, intensive work experience with formal training.
Before they begin their job all students in the work-based learning program receive a formal orientation as well as a student work manual that outlines the rules and expectations of the WBL program. Supervision is provided by KKHS staff specifically assigned to WBL. These staff members work directly with Students may have on-campus and occasional off-campus assignments, and the WBL staff member acts as a job coach. Students may eventually work within a business partner’s setting with very limited KKHS support.
Preparation for the Future
Students working toward a Certificate of Completion have the opportunity to participate in instruction in the community. This provides students with the opportunity to generalize their academic, social, and recreational skills in the natural environment. Classroom groups are escorted by academic staff members and related service members when appropriate to predetermined locations in the community to work on skills related to lessons taught in the classroom. This opportunity for generalization with the support of special education staff is a critical component of building toward our students’ successful transition from High School.
After School Social Skills Group for Adolescents
An increasing number of adolescents struggle to communicate and relate effectively with their peers and the adults in their lives. The Kennedy Krieger Schools are offering after school social skills groups for adolescents (ages 14-18 years) with significant social deficits. Group participants will include, but will not be limited to those diagnosed with Asperger’s Disorder, High Functioning Autism (HFA), High Functioning Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS), and other disabilities affecting social interactions and communication. Group members do not need to attend Kennedy Krieger Schools in order to participate in this social skills program. Groups will be co-lead by experienced clinicians in the fields of social work, speech and language pathology, and/or psychology. Group members will focus on learning social skills and practicing them in everyday life situations. Content areas will include emotional regulation, communication, boundaries, relationships, and functioning in the workplace. Group sessions will each be 1.5 hours and occur once per week. The entire group series will include 17 non-consecutive sessions. Parents who want their students to take part in this additional activity can contact Dr. Adam Scheller, School Psychologist for KKHS, at 443-923-7866 or write to him at schellera@kennedykrieger.org.
Students at KKHS may participate in activities common to most high schools — yearbook, school newspaper, weekly podcasts, varsity and JV sports, dances, clubs, and Young Marines of Central Maryland.
Patrick Seay
Director, Office of Admissions, Compliance, and Transition
Kennedy Krieger School: Greenspring Campus - High School Career and Technology Center Program
3825 Greenspring Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21211
Phone: (443) 923-7800
Fax: (443) 923-7850
Fax: (443) 923-4525
seayp@kennedykrieger.org