MISSION STATEMENT
The Abraxas Education Group alternative education programs are
built on the belief that all students have dignity, worth and the
ability to learn. The purpose of our programs is to improve
the communities in which they exist. By educating our students,
we are able to improve both the individual students, and the communities
in which they live.
Our programs strive to assist students in addressing behavioral, academic and
attendance issues that prevent them from experiencing success in the traditional
classroom setting. In a safe and highly structured educational setting,
students are taught positive coping strategies to replace the behaviors that
have previously made them unsuccessful.
The programs work to improve students’ attendance, academic
and behavioral performance in a number of ways. These include:
- Building positive and meaningful relationships with students
and families.
- Establishing high levels of expectation and accountability
for students.
- Creating specific measurable goals that are individualized
to the needs of each student.
- Establishing high academic standards for the students.
The goal of our programs is to help students develop the skills
necessary to be successfully reintegrated into a regular educational
environment, while creating a safe and positive learning in each
of the referring schools. Other innovative approaches that are
used to promote student success include:
- Entrance and exit educational assessment testing of each student.
- Small class sizes that create an environment that is conducive
to individualized instruction.
- Developing positive relationships with students through daily
group and individual counseling sessions.
- Implementation of an age-appropriate life skills curriculum.
- Providing a highly structured cost effective educational environment
for students.
- Assisting home schools in reducing disruptions to the educational
process by removing students that present extreme behavioral
problems.
- Coordination of outside services including behavioral health,
drug and alcohol counseling, family therapy and parenting assistance,
through our in-house social services department.
- Developing positive leadership skills through personal and
social responsibility.
- Provide life skills training and school-to-work training opportunities
that help students bridge the gap into the world of work, career
development and personal, self-supporting confidence.
Through our commitment to working with at-risk students and their
families, we are able to assist students in making positive choices,
improving their behavior, understanding their relationship with
the community, developing pro-social coping skills and changing
their overall outlook toward education.
HISTORY
Founded in 1973, Abraxas Group, Inc. began operations in Pennsylvania
with a focus on supporting local communities with the health, welfare,
and education of their youth. As a supplement to its residential
and non-residential treatment programs, Abraxas Group began providing
education services to fit the needs of the youth in their care. To
this day, we continue to provide education services in these environments.
Over time, our services have become more specialized and effective at meeting
the needs of our students. Leveraging these skills, we began operating
stand-alone education services in partnership with local school districts:
| 2001 |
A.C.T.S. Program established in Harrisburg, PA |
| 2004 |
Philadelphia Alternative Education Programs established in
Philadelphia, PA |
| 2004 |
POLARIS Program established in Lebanon, PA |
| 2005 |
Leadership Academy established in Reading, PA |
Our extensive experience has earned us a reputation for successfully
helping some of the most difficult students in the public education
and child welfare systems. Abraxas Education Group currently
provides quality comprehensive alternative education services to
students in various locations through our partnerships with local
school districts. In each of our programs, we have been able
to custom fit our services to best meet the needs of our students,
parents, and partnering district.
SEVEN KEY PRINCIPLES OF CARE
All Abraxas Education Group programs are guided by our Seven Key
Principles® of Care.
People Security
People security comprises two fundamental concepts: (1) supervision
that minimizes the opportunity for negative behavior and maximizes
the opportunity for staff presence; and (2) "meaningful
interaction" that elevates behavior modification from
a compliance-only to a learning-oriented philosophy.
Program Security
Program security also has two key components: (1) development
of schedules ensuring a high degree of constructive activity;
and (2) a clearly defined structure and set of expectations
for student involvement in daily routines and activities.
Accountability/Responsibility/High
Expectations
Staff personally address all noteworthy behaviors and attitudes
and impose appropriate positive or negative consequences without
being abusive. Through this, students learn new habits and skills
promoting responsible thinking and behavior.
Role Modeling
We must not only set the standards for behavior, but also model
the behaviors we teach. For many students who have lived without
positive, consistent role models, it is essential that staff
act in a manner above reproach and effectively model the values
they teach.
Teamwork/Communication
A supportive relationship made of teamwork and communication
between staff and students is essential in creating a safe
environment in which change and growth can occur. Student participation
in the learning process enhances their commitment to learning
and motivates them to achieve lasting changes.
Dignity and Respect
Students respond best when they are treated fairly and with respect
and are more likely to respond positively to staff who care
enough to hold them accountable for their actions. Staff who
take the time to teach students, listen to their concerns,
and help them help themselves greatly enhance an environment
in which meaningful change can occur.
Cleanliness/Environment
of Care
The physical environment of any education program directly impacts
the quality of care. Cleanliness and maintenance of the building
and grounds are as important as clinical activities. By setting
high expectations in these areas, staff teach responsibility
and respect for property and the environment, which are life
skills that will carry back to students’ communities. Lastly,
for both staff and the students, it is important to create an
environment conducive to learning and aesthetically pleasing
to students, family, staff, and the broader community.
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