Here at Meridian Academy, we are proud to offer a wide variety of services. The focus is on classified and at-risk elementary, middle school and high school students. We are conveniently located in Ocean County, as to better serve our Ocean and Monmouth County public school districts.
The programs offered at Meridian include: a full-day program, the Meridian Academy, and two half-day programs, the Alternate Interim Placement (AIP) program and the Regional In-School Suspension Program (RISSP).
Meridian's Mission
The mission of Meridian Academy at Lakewood is to provide a comprehensive, supportive, and integrated educational experience for all classified students enrolled at Meridian Academy, including vocational training.
The staff, sending districts, and community accept the responsibility and challenge to provide a creative, positive, and structured learning environment for every child.
At Meridian Academy, we believe that children with special needs and their families are entitled to and deserve a unique educational experience. They can expect a learning experience that is created by dedicated professionals who meet the challenges that come with making a difference.
Every child is given a chance to learn and their success multiplies each time they reach higher to achieve. A student graduates from Meridian Academy with the skills and knowledge needed to become a productive member of society.
The staff, sending districts, and community accept the responsibility and challenge to provide a creative, positive, and structured learning environment for every child.
At Meridian Academy, we believe that children with special needs and their families are entitled to and deserve a unique educational experience. They can expect a learning experience that is created by dedicated professionals who meet the challenges that come with making a difference.
Every child is given a chance to learn and their success multiplies each time they reach higher to achieve. A student graduates from Meridian Academy with the skills and knowledge needed to become a productive member of society.
Meridian Academy: Full-Day Program
Meridian Academy provides a supportive environment with a comprehensive array of specialized services to meet the unique needs of our student population. Specialized support services include counseling, coordination with the sending school districts to provide vocational education, speech, physical, and occupational therapy in accordance with each student’s individualized educational needs. We also provide continuous, positive reinforcement.
All services are administered by fully certified personnel and Teachers of the Handicapped. In additiion to academic instruction, we also provide contact with outside agencies to address the whole child. Meridian Academy’s objectives encompass the development of work habits, self control, discipline, socialization, academic achievement and vocational training. We also emphasize positive self-esteem and bolster self-confidence.
Other educational and support services provided at Meridian Academy include:
- Individualized education programming
- Behavior management
- Individual and group counseling
- Individual behavior intervention plans
- Health and Physical Education
- Self-contained and team teaching educational program
- Driver’s Education
- Visual Arts and Graphic Design
- Parent outreach and activities
Half Day Programs
Alternate Interim Placement (AIP)
The Alternate Interim Placement Program (AIP) is geared toward learning disabled or at-risk students who require an interim alternative placement while suspended from their regular school. Program enrollment, up to 45 days, provides an individualized education plan based on the regular school curriculum with certified teaching and counseling staff.
Some criteria for referral of a student to the AIP program include:
Regional In-School Suspension Program (RISSP)
The Regional In-School Suspension Program (RISSP) is also geared toward learning disabled or at-risk students who require an interim alternative placement while suspended from their regular school, although for a shorter time period. Program enrollment, up to 10 days, provides an individualized education plan based on the regular school curriculum with certified teaching staff.
The Alternate Interim Placement Program (AIP) is geared toward learning disabled or at-risk students who require an interim alternative placement while suspended from their regular school. Program enrollment, up to 45 days, provides an individualized education plan based on the regular school curriculum with certified teaching and counseling staff.
Some criteria for referral of a student to the AIP program include:
- Carrying or possessing a weapon in school or at a school function
- Using, possessing or selling illegal drugs at a school or a school function
- Any serious violation that would require a child study team evaluation
- Administrative concerns that the student may be dangerous to themselves or others
Regional In-School Suspension Program (RISSP)
The Regional In-School Suspension Program (RISSP) is also geared toward learning disabled or at-risk students who require an interim alternative placement while suspended from their regular school, although for a shorter time period. Program enrollment, up to 10 days, provides an individualized education plan based on the regular school curriculum with certified teaching staff.
Behavior Modification
Point System
Meridian Academy holds its students to high behavioral and academic standards. We require and reinforce appropriate behavior and positive socialization and study skills, to best prepare our students for a rewarding future. At Meridian, we adhere to a specially designed behavior modification point system. Our students earn points based on various school criteria within each period of each school day. Once studetns earn points for displaying appropriate behavior, they are rewarded accordingly.
Rewards
Included in the rewards system are daily, earned activity periods and monthly school trips. As students earn points each day, they ultimately move them up in levels, working their way up from Blue to Silver to Gold. Students on Silver and Gold levels are rewarded monthly with special school trips and other incentives to promote positive behavior.
Meridian Money
Another strong component of the Meridian behavior modification point system is the implementation of “points make cents.” Students are encouraged to earn $Meridian Money$ by following the basic rules of Meridian Academy. Their earnings are based on their daily point cards and on their ultimate progression through the level system.
Benefits
The students gain benficial and realistic mathematical life skills requiring them to budget their earnings, and gain practice in paying for services. Students utilize their money through purchases at the school store, trips, and special activities and privileges. This system of positive reinforcement encourages appropriate behavior and rewards students for making the right choices.
Meridian Academy holds its students to high behavioral and academic standards. We require and reinforce appropriate behavior and positive socialization and study skills, to best prepare our students for a rewarding future. At Meridian, we adhere to a specially designed behavior modification point system. Our students earn points based on various school criteria within each period of each school day. Once studetns earn points for displaying appropriate behavior, they are rewarded accordingly.
Rewards
Included in the rewards system are daily, earned activity periods and monthly school trips. As students earn points each day, they ultimately move them up in levels, working their way up from Blue to Silver to Gold. Students on Silver and Gold levels are rewarded monthly with special school trips and other incentives to promote positive behavior.
Meridian Money
Another strong component of the Meridian behavior modification point system is the implementation of “points make cents.” Students are encouraged to earn $Meridian Money$ by following the basic rules of Meridian Academy. Their earnings are based on their daily point cards and on their ultimate progression through the level system.
Benefits
The students gain benficial and realistic mathematical life skills requiring them to budget their earnings, and gain practice in paying for services. Students utilize their money through purchases at the school store, trips, and special activities and privileges. This system of positive reinforcement encourages appropriate behavior and rewards students for making the right choices.
Contact Us
To find out more about the opportunities waiting for your students at Meridian Academy please contact:
Joseph Firetto, Principal
Phone: 732-905-1228 x13
E-mail: jfiretto@moesc.org
Michelle Johns, Assistant to the Principal
Phone: 732-905-1228 x11
E-mail: mjohns@moesc.org
Meridian Academy
150 North Oberlin Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Fax: 732-364-6768
Web: www.moesc.org
Joseph Firetto, Principal
Phone: 732-905-1228 x13
E-mail: jfiretto@moesc.org
Michelle Johns, Assistant to the Principal
Phone: 732-905-1228 x11
E-mail: mjohns@moesc.org
Meridian Academy
150 North Oberlin Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Fax: 732-364-6768
Web: www.moesc.org
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