Pressley Ridge Allegheny County Day School Program

President: B. Scott Finnell, Ph.D., LCSW

School Type: Approved Private School/Partial Hospital

Founded: Pressley Ridge was founded in 1832, and the Allegheny County Day School was established in 1967

Ages/Grades: Ages 6-21 years

School Setting: Located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Day School is situated within a park like atmosphere

School Size: Up to 132 students

Classroom Size: 12 students per classroom

Student/Teacher Ratio: 1 special education teacher per 12 students

Tuition: Each student's education costs are paid through a combination of funds provided by the PA Dept. of Education, the referring school district, and federal Chapter 1 monies. The mental health services are paid by Medical Assistance and private insurance.

Departments:

The Allegheny County Day School is licensed and approved by they PA Department of Education and offers comprehensive elementary and secondary curricula in compliance with state regulations. As such, all credits earned for courses taken at Pressley Ridge are directly transferable to schools throughout the state. However, the classes taken by an individual student, the materials used, and the teaching and evaluation procedures employed are selected on an individual basis. Because of the highly individualized nature of the educational program, the majority of instruction is conducted on a one-to-one basis; however, both small and larger group instruction is used when appropriate, particularly when students are nearing discharge to public school programs. In addition, the experiential therapies program is an integral part of teaching youth new behavioral and educational competencies. Through specifically designed activities, the treatment and educational team of each student can link IEP objectives and treatment goals to hands-on, discovery-oriented tasks.

Percentage of Graduating Class: Our follow-up data, gathered two to three years after discharge from the program, shows impressive results. These data indicate that only about 15% of the students were involved in highly restrictive residential treatment programs, and that over 60% of the students were still in school (in less restrictive settings than Pressley Ridge), had earned a high school diploma or G.E.D., or were gainfully employed. These results seem to indicate that the students' academic and behavioral gains in our Day School are meaningful, sustainable, and, to some extent, transferable to settings outside of Pressley Ridge.

Support Services: Each classroom is staffed by a special education teacher and a mental health specialist. In addition, there are family liaisons specialists who work directly with the students' families, the school districts, and other community agencies involved with the students (i.e. juvenile court, mental health, children and youth services). There is also ancillary staff that provides instruction in physical education, art and music, and speech and language therapy. Program services are monitored by coordinators and supervised by the program director. A psychiatrist and psychologist provide additional support with assessment expertise.

Camp Programs: No

After School Programs: No

Computer Capabilities:

The Allegheny County Day School is equipped with a computer lab

School Clubs:

Basketball team, Pressley Ridge Patriots; intramural activities

Parking Spaces/Availability: There is ample parking available on the grounds of the Allegheny County Day School

Uniform Guidelines: Uniforms are not required

Admissions Requirements:

All students admitted must meet criteria for “serious emotional disturbance,” as outlined by the U.S. Office of Education (1977), and must have a diagnosable mental health disorder as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4 th Edition).

Mission Statement:

The mission of Pressley Ridge is: to improve the adjustment and achievement of children and youth with troubling behaviors through effective programs that focus on all aspects of their lives; to lead in the development of innovative programming through evaluation, research, and outcome measurement; and, to champion initiatives to improve the system of care for children, youth and their families.

Philosophy/Belief Statement:

The Pressley Ridge Allegheny County Day School program is based on the concept of Re-Education and its 12 principles, created and written in the 1960s by Dr. Nicholas Hobbs. The principles rest upon two basic beliefs: that every child wants to do well and that when basic needs are met, the child is able to learn. The Allegheny County Day School believes that every child has the potential to perform well if the following needs are met: belonging, safety, relevance, attention, competence/mastery, power/influence, empathy, and fun/stimulation.

School History: Since 1832, Pressley Ridge has been providing services to children with troubling behaviors and developmental disabilities incorporating the principles and values of Nicholas Hobbs' Re-Education. Focusing on the strengths and talents of each child brings enrichment and remediation to lesser known skills. In this way, teacher/counselors help children to become healthy and competent. They find joy in life, become healthy and productive, and find a place in society where they can be successful.

Notes/School Information:

The Pressley Ridge Allegheny County Day School/Partial Hospitalization program provides intensive, relatively short-term educational and therapeutic services. Our hope is that these services will allow the participating children and youth with social and emotional disorders to reintegrate into their communities and schools. Success for a majority of the students is gauged by the following: a return to the public school system with minimal special services and/or programming; improved relationships with family, peers, and community, with reduced involvement in the judicial, child welfare, and mental health systems; increased ability to function independently and/or move toward life goals; ability to transfer improved functioning to other environments. All components of Pressley Ridge are accredited through the Council on Accreditation.