Montebello Elementary/Junior Academy— an Edison Partnership School

Recent Highlights:

The School Programs at Kennedy Krieger Institute has been named a 2012 Leadership and Innovation in Special Education Awardee by the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC).

Program Overview:

The Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI) maintains a unique partnership with the Baltimore City Public Schools and the Edison Corporation to support special education and related services to students in grades 1- 8 at Montebello Elementary/Junior Academy in Baltimore City. KKI provides self-contained special education and related services as part of this partnership.

Instruction & Assessment of Progress:

Instruction is provided following the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum, a rigorous and evidence-based tool for guiding student learning through the elementary and middle grades. Instruction in grade level curriculum is supported by goals and objectives on students Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Enrollment in this program is based on students’ home zip codes. The school’s IEP team determines eligibility to receive special education services.

The program provides small class size, and the use of research-based reading instruction. The day’s instruction provides support through the use of technology to advance student learning.

Students participate in the annual assessments that are required of all Baltimore City Public Schools students (either the Maryland School Assessment (MSA) or the alternative assessment (Alt-MSA). Additionally, formal and informal benchmark assessments are done to monitor progress on curricular goals as well as IEP goals. Progress on both academic and IEP goals are included in quarterly report cards shared with families.

Positive Behavior Intervention:

Students are provided a high level of behavioral support when transitioning to and from, and participating in all class activities. All school staff members are trained in positive behavioral interventions.