Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do Orchard Place residents attend school on campus?

Yes.

Is the Orchard Place Campus School affiliated with any school system?

Yes, the school is a part of the Des Moines Public School System.

What is a typical school day?

Students are assigned to homerooms based on grade level. There may be more than one grade level in each homeroom. Each homeroom has a teacher and an instructional associate. Students have regular class schedules including either art or PE. Instructional materials are adopted from Des Moines Public Schools. Students may go to another classroom for reading and/or math and usually remain with their homerooms the rest of the day. The day also includes instruction in social skills. The school day begins at 8:30 and students are dismissed at 3:05. They eat lunch from 12:00–1:00. Students are sometimes taken out of class for therapy and/or medical appointments.

Do students usually catch up if they are behind?

Students often make excellent academic progress at Orchard Place Campus School. We have small class sizes and teachers who have training and experience working with students with emotional, social, and behavioral difficulties. At the high school level, students can often add a class to each semester, making up two credits. Students can also earn credits in summer school. Making up more than one credit each semester is not impossible but would require considerable additional work for the student.

Does Orchard Place Campus School offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes?

We do not offer AP classes due to our small teaching staff and the requirements for teacher certification in AP courses.

How does Orchard Place Campus School decide what classes my high-school-age child will take?

Our teachers review each student’s transcript and compare the credits earned and courses completed to their home district’s graduation requirements. They often talk with students’ high school counselors. If a student is a senior, the teacher determines which school district (DMPS or the home school) will issue the diploma based on the courses and credits needed.

How does Orchard Place Campus School determine what classroom my child is in?

Placement is based on the student’s grade level and the grade’s class sizes. For example, there may be seventh-graders in more than one classroom and placement would be based on the number of students in each class and other factors. As of 2009 we have one elementary classroom, three middle school classrooms and five high school classrooms.

Is Internet usage monitored?

Yes. Teachers and associates monitor Internet usage by watching what students are viewing and also by checking the computers’ viewing history. In 2009–2010 high school teachers will be piloting a new computer program that allows them to view the students’computer screens from another computer and block specific Web sites. We will expand the program’s use next year if it works well.

Are there opportunities for students to work online?

Yes. We use the APEX program, a credit recovery program only online. We are a part of the pilot for this program with Des Moines Public Schools and will have high school teachers trained to use it.

Is there a student government or other activities to participate in?

There is nothing school-wide as of 2009. Teachers have independent programs in their classrooms.

How are behavior problems managed?

We have a systematic approach to behavior management utilizing Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), which is described in the Parent/Student Handbook. PBS is a district-wide program that encourages teachers to view behavior difficulties as teaching opportunities and teaches behavior expectations to students.

How is school avoidance managed?

Student behaviors (including school avoidance) that do not respond to the systems already in place are addressed individually. A ‘problem-solving’ meeting is held for any student who needs additional behavioral support or instruction. The meeting includes the teacher, therapist, unit worker, and interventionist. This team develops an individualized intervention plan based on the student’s pattern of behavior. These plans are revised as needed.

Is testing conducted for each student?

All students are assessed for reading, math, and written language when they enroll in school and when they are discharged. Additionally, student progress in reading is monitored every other week at the elementary and middle school level and IEP goals are monitored as prescribed on students’ IEPs. Ninth-grade students take an algebra placement test. We also complete all testing requirements for the Des Moines Public Schools, including the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and ITED. 10th-grade students take the PLAN assessment developed by the Iowa Testing Service.

Would my child be allowed to take ACT/SAT if needed?

All eleventh-grade students take the ACT test free of charge. Other students may take the ACT and/or SAT if they register and pay the fee.

Is college preparation available if needed?

Course of study is determined on an individual basis. All high school credits transfer and count toward graduation.

What if my child is not special ed, but I think they should be?

Provide any supporting information you have from your child’s current school placement. The information will be reviewed by the child study team.

How will I be informed how school is going?

We have parent conferences in the fall and spring. Teachers also provide up-to-date information for students’ clinical staffing. You are welcome to call or visit the school if you have questions. Official report cards are completed every six weeks and mailed to the parents/guardians.

Will my child’s IEP be followed at the Orchard PlaceCampus School?

Absolutely! An IEP is a legally binding document and we have certified special education teachers at all levels at Orchard Place.

Do kids ever have to go off-campus? How do we decide if they should?

The referral for off-campus school comes from the student’s therapist, who states the rationale for placement. Input is received from the teacher and unit staff and options are discussed. Some situations that warrant off-campus placement include: