Elevate Student Support Services

Each student shows up, learns, and navigates through the world differently.
Every student is capable of growth.

ELEVATE provides coaching, intervention, and professional development to support our teachers, parents, and students in achieving their full potential along the academic and social emotional continuum.

We operate on the fundamental belief that through an intentional, student-centered, strength based approach, we can create a paradigm shift in the way we support and empower each and every learner within our community.

Aspen Academy’s ELEVATE program takes a three-tiered approach. By doing so, we honor, cultivate, and celebrate strengths in all learners. Services include:

In our efforts to support students with a variety of learning needs and approaches to learning, it is important for us to be transparent that we are not a school that specializes in special education as it is traditionally known. Our current staffing offers us the ability to serve approximately 25% of all students and admissions decisions may reflect the limited capacity depending on available spaces.

Tier 1 (Universal)

Elevate’s primary role is to support and enrich the knowledge of teachers, as they have the primary and most consistent contact with students. All core instruction also includes the following:

A Personalized Instruction Profile (PIP) for each student
High quality research-based curriculum to all students
Differentiated instruction through flexible small groups and learning methods
Consistent and regular progress monitoring of student progress against grade level benchmarks
Integration of technology as a means of reaching all varying learning styles and interests

TIER 2 (Targeted)

Elevate offers necessary supports and intervention to students with a higher level of need, with the emphasis of early intervention. Targeted instruction also includes the following supports:

Small group, evidence-based targeted intervention
Personalized accommodations implemented both in class and in small group sessions
Consistent progress monitoring to reach academic, social emotional and behavioral goals
Support in and out of the classroom from our Learning Specialist, School Psychologist, and/or Student Success Coach.

Tier 3 (Intensive)

Students who qualify for intensive support are connected with industry specialists who can provide individualized and intensive 1:1 intervention, including:

Coordination of time and space for outside specialists to conduct on campus 1:1 intensive support*
Consistent progress monitoring to meet established academic, social emotional or behavior goals
Accommodation Plan for students with a diagnosed academic, social emotional or behavior need

*Psycho-educational evaluations required for Tier 3 level of support. Additional tuition or fees may apply.

Aspen Academy is committed to the expansion of services to enrich all learners in our community:

Providing Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity screenings
Offering Speech, Occupational Therapy, and Hearing screenings
Onsite Tutoring Available Student (Additional fee required)
Expanded Enrichment services

Resources

Books

download the Elevate Brochure

ELEVATE TEAM

Jessie Skipwith

Director of Elevate & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Student Success Coach, Licensed School Counselor

M.Ed., Counselor Education, University of New Orleans
B.A., Justice, American University

Cindy Hewatt

School Counselor, LMFT

B.S., Psychology, Colorado State University
M.A., Clinical Psychology, LMFT, Chapman University

Justin Wimbish

Middle School Learning Interventionist

B.S., Management Information Systems, University of Wyoming
Staff Sergeant (E-6), US Army Reserve (2003-2011)
M.S., Education and Human Development

Elevate Blogs

Support Your Teens in Understanding What They're Going Through

Eric Peterson

This month, guest blogger and faculty member Eric Peterson shared how he and his wife educated themselves to support their teenage son. "As someone who reads quite a bit, my natural response to most things that I don’t understand is to read a book about it!"

You're Invited: March Parent Book Club

Jessie Skipwith

Parent Book Clubs will meet Wednesdays in March (3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/30 - no meeting over Spring Break) via Zoom from 5-6:30 pm. In March parents will read and discuss "Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts." Read on to learn more and register.

Building Positive Body Image, Health & Nutrition

Cindy Hewatt, LMFT

What comes to mind when you think of someone who has a positive body image? Some people think that the person loves everything about their body, seeing themselves as attractive, popular, or good at sports. But, when a person has a positive body image, they understand that their sense of self-worth does not depend on what they look like. Learn more from our very own Cindy Hewatt.

Speech, Hearing and Vision Screenings at Aspen Academy

Jessie Skipwith

Aspen Academy is committed to supporting a family’s role in ensuring positive, individualized developmental outcomes for all children within this community. We are proud to offer these screening opportunities each year. The screenings provide feedback on your child’s hearing, vision, speech, and motor development. Read on for more details.

You're Invited: Parent DEI Book Club Kicks Off for 2021-2022!

Jessie Skipwith

This year, Aspen Academy will continue its great work of leaning into challenging conversations, supporting one another, and engaging in dialogue as we remain intentional about creating a community that recognizes and celebrates the variety of the human tapestry that makes up our school family. Learn more about our October Parent DEI Book Club!