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Services, Programs, and Supports

Instructional 'Home Bases'

To provide a high level of individualized support, students have access to instructional “home bases” that offer consistent academic and learning supports based on each student’s individual needs.

These instructional home bases include:

  • Learning Center
  • Supported Learning Center
  • Pathways
  • Language & Academics Home Base

Students participating in these programs continue to have access to the full range of academic opportunities available at Brookline High School. Course selection is determined through recommendations made by each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team.

Specialized Programs

Highly specialized programs are available at BHS to provide students with the most intensive needs a higher level of individualization and support, as well as structured, separate environments when deemed necessary by a student's IEP team. All content areas are instructed by special educators in the context of the program.

  • Bridge Alliance
  • ExCEL Program
  • RISE Community Program
  • Winthrop House

Bridge Alliance Services

Brookline High School offers a continuum of highly individualized transition services designed to support students’ post-secondary goals and future planning.

Services may include:

  • Career development classes
  • Travel training
  • Employment support

Contact Information

Learning Center

Instructional “Home Base”

Learning Center small-group specialized instruction is a non-categorical support service for students enrolled primarily in general education courses. The primary goal of the Learning Center is to help students become independent learners.

Specialized instruction is provided in the following areas:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Written expression
  • Executive functioning, including organization, time management, and study skills
  • Self-advocacy
  • Additional areas identified in students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

Staff

Supported Learning Center

Instructional “Home Base”

The Supported Learning Center serves students who may benefit from regular monitoring and support related primarily to social and emotional needs. The program provides a supportive learning community with close case management to help facilitate student progress and success.

Staff

Pathways

Instructional “Home Base”

Pathways provides a continuum of services for students with challenges related to self-regulation, social communication, and executive functioning.

Students in the program must be able to navigate the school building independently, or work toward that goal following an initial transition period, and access standard-level curriculum. Students typically demonstrate intellectual abilities within the average to superior range.

Staff

Language & Academics Home Base

Instructional “Home Base”

Language & Academics Home Base (LAHB) supports provide students with access to the general education curriculum while offering additional intensive interventions in reading and writing.

Students in the program also have access to a specialized language-based learning center. LAHB students typically demonstrate language-based learning challenges alongside average to above-average cognitive abilities.

Students who are self-motivated and able to work independently often benefit most from this instructional model.

Staff

Bridge Alliance

Specialized Program

Bridge is a self-contained classroom program serving students ages 18–22 with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, who require highly structured and individualized transition services.

The Bridge teaching model incorporates:

  • Applied behavior analysis
  • Social communication development
  • Vocational training
  • Life skills instruction

The program focuses on developing skills that promote independence in home, community, and vocational settings.

Bridge serves students who have already completed grades 9–12.

Staff

ExCEL Program

Specialized Program

The ExCEL Program is a substantially separate therapeutic learning environment designed for students with emotional and/or behavioral disabilities who require additional support to access academic instruction.

Programming includes:

  • Modified academic instruction
  • Self-management skill development
  • Community-based learning experiences

Staff

RISE Community

Specialized Program

The RISE Program serves as a home base for students with autism spectrum disorders and students with similar learning profiles and support needs.

Students in RISE benefit from a highly structured program and may participate in the full range of Brookline High School course offerings. The program also offers highly individualized discrete trial teaching when appropriate.

Integrated programming may include:

  • Social learning instruction
  • Communication services
  • Organizational support
  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) services
  • Daily living skills instruction

Staff

Winthrop House

Specialized Program

The mission of Winthrop House is to develop resilient, confident, lifelong learners by providing unique learning opportunities within a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment.

The program partners with families to help students build and apply the social-emotional, academic, and life skills needed for future success.

Staff