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Green Chimneys

Academic Program

Green Chimneys School follows New York State academic curriculum standards designated for Elementary, Intermediate and High School programs. All students in Grades 3-8 participate in New York State Standardized Testing. High school students receive instruction to fully prepare them for New York State Regents examinations as determined by the Committee on Special Education.

Our Education Team collaborates with families, service providers and home school districts to meet the individual academic and social-emotional goals of each student. All students receive counseling, and families are encouraged to participate in parent education and training offered several times throughout the year. Related services and support include speech/language and occupational therapies and vocational counseling to meet each child’s Individual Education Program (IEP).

Green Chimneys School Delivers Established Nationally Recognized Curriculums

As part of our commitment to our students and to provide a sense of familiarity and consistency within their academic progression, Green Chimneys School delivers established, nationally recognized curriculums that are used by many of our referring districts. Students receive a modified curriculum that supports the New York State Next Generation Standards, based on their abilities, strengths/weaknesses, and individualized IEP goals.

Green Chimneys teachers employ the Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) model for teaching. Classroom lessons follow an “I Do, We Do, You Do” approach, which begins with teacher-directed instruction and transitions to a gradual release to independent tasks. This method incorporates whole and small groups, as well as individual instruction. Grade-level information is delivered to the students together as a group. Teachers use an ability-based method for students to demonstrate understanding, and for the teacher to assess each student’s comprehension of the material being taught.

Classrooms are equipped with current technology including SMART Boards, and each student is provided their own Chromebook to participate in classwork and benefit from educational online resources.

Green Chimneys students also benefit from the vast array of therapeutic programs and enrichment activities offered, connecting each child to nature as a means of developing social skills, improving self-confidence, and impart a general sense of well-being.

Instruction Tech Vision Statement

Our vision is to use technology to enhance the student experience. We believe that technology can open doors to new ideas, build confidence, and make learning fun and accessible for everyone. Using digital tools, we will support creativity, independence, and communication while guiding students to be safe, responsible, and respectful digital citizens. Together, we will use technology to learn, connect, and contribute positively, both online and in the world around us, as we continue to be lifelong learners.

  • All students receive counseling, and families are encouraged to participate in parent education and training offered several times throughout the year.

  • Our special education teachers develop differentiated instructional strategies for their classes.

  • Related services and support include speech/language and occupational therapies and vocational counseling to meet each child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).

 

Course Curriculum

Green Chimneys School follows New York State academic curriculum standards designated for Elementary, Intermediate and High School programs. All students in grades 3-8 participate in New York State Standardized Testing. High school students receive instruction to fully prepare them for New York State Regents examinations as determined by the Committee on Special Education.

Curriculum Guide: Elementary and Middle School

Curriculum Guide: Middle and High School

Mathematics

Students learn with the New York State Next Generation Standards for Mathematical Practice. This widely used curriculum is a complete math program based on a wide range of learning experiences that teaches math concepts in a sequential manner and builds on previously learned material.

English and Language Arts (ELA)

Students are taught English and Language Arts skills through the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt literacy curriculum for elementary and middle school students, Into Reading for grades 2-5 and Into Literacy for grades 6-8. This comprehensive product focuses on the Five Pillars of Literacy: Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Reading Comprehension, with a strong writing component integrated throughout. As a highly interactive program that offers differentiation of instruction to respond to individual learning needs–including adaptability both for students working below grade-level and those who need a bigger challenge–it works hand-in-hand with the school’s Explicit Direct Instruction teaching model.

Science

The science program at Green Chimneys follows an inquiry-based (why, how, what if) curriculum that incorporates hands-on, grade level-appropriate science projects linking reading and science together in every chapter.

Social Studies

Green Chimneys School follows the Scott Foresman Social Studies text as a resource in meeting New York State social science core standards requirements. The curriculum is designed to deliver interesting content that captures the attention and imagination of students as they participate in learning their grade-level curriculum in a format that includes built-in reading and vocabulary instruction.

Green Chimneys High School students are assigned to a classroom based on their academic ability and receive full benefit of the Green Chimneys therapeutic programs. The school structure and curriculum accommodates all learners in this age group by providing three high school classroom environments:

  • Self-contained 8:1:2 program – designed for students who benefit from one teacher for core academic subjects in a small class size.
  • Self-contained 12:1:2 program – designed for students who benefit from one teacher for core academic subjects in a slightly larger class size.
  • Departmentalized 12:1:2 program – simulates a more traditional mainstream approach to the high school structure of a homeroom assignment and a daily class schedule for core academics and electives with different teachers for each subject in a small class setting.

Students in the high school program receive instruction to fully prepare them to take New York State Regents examinations as determined by the Committee on Special Education (CSE), and may participate in Work-Based Learning opportunities to work towards the Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential (CDOS certificate).
See more about Work-Based Learning and CDOS Programs

Graduation Requirements

Green Chimneys maintains a credit transcript which is shared with parents and home school districts for graduation/post-secondary planning review at the CSE annual review meeting. Additionally, a certified school counselor monitors graduation progress and transcripts, and shares information and resources for college and scholarship opportunities.

As required by New York State Commissioner’s Regulations Section 100.5, a student will be awarded a Regents endorsed diploma from their home school district upon the successful completion of 22 credits in the New York State course work and testing requirements.

Meet Our Animals
A white bird, possibly a falcon, perched on a branch with wings spread.

Gyrfalcon

Crowned the best for falconry in medieval times, gyrfalcons were once reserved for kings. As the largest falcon in the world, with exquisite plumage ranging from bright white to deep charcoal, gyrs are revered for their powerful skill of flight...