Student Services Team

Programs and Services to Develop the Whole Child

Core to the Boston Renaissance mission is a commitment to providing an extensive range of non-academic programs and services to support each student’s physical, emotional and social development. This includes comprehensive services for students with disabilities.

We maintain classroom structures to support this work, with co-taught classrooms, three resources rooms, and three substantially separate classrooms, all provided to meet the diverse learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of BRCPS students, particularly students with disabilities (SWD). The school schedule, staffing model, and hiring practices are all designed to ensure all students have the supports they need around them.

By integrating programs and services into the school, Boston Renaissance eliminates barriers to academic success, ensuring that each student is ready and able to learn. Our personalized, supportive model works to ensure that each student has access to the resources necessary to meet and overcome challenges, and to be prepared for success in school and in life.

Programs to Develop Social and Emotional Competence

Social and emotional competence is a fundamental part of the Renaissance mission because we believe students succeed when they feel positively about themselves and have the skills to deal with conflict and difference in a variety of social situations.

Strategies implemented in this area include:

  • Extensive professional development for teachers in character education, including Responsive Classroom, Open Circle, behavior management techniques to maintain a strong and safe classroom environment, and work on BRCPS core values.
  • Development of a more unified, proactive approach to student discipline issues by BRCPS Climate and Culture team, focusing on prevention rather than punishment. 
  • Leadership curricula and mentoring programs, woven into the day and provided after school.

Social and emotional competence is a fundamental part of the Renaissance mission because we believe students succeed when they feel positively about themselves and have the skills to deal with conflict and difference in a variety of social situations.

Special Education Services

Special education services begin with the Assessment and Identification of Need Screening. Using a battery of assessments, our team will conduct a screening to measure fluency and comprehension in math and in literacy, looking for specific learning challenges. Based on this initial screening, we will try a number of interventions and then reassess the students. If the interventions do not seem to be working, the classroom teachers will contact the parents to let them know what we are seeing, what interventions we have tried, and, if needed, to recommend an official screening.

Students identified as having a learning disability or other special needs are eligible to receive a range of services and accommodations. Following applicable laws and regulations, members of the BRCPS Unified Student Services team will develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for those students.  Throughout these processes, we serve ALL students to the best of our ability, while working to maintain a collaborative relationship with their families.

In addition, Boston Renaissance employs a comprehensive team of Related Service Providers, including School Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, and Physical Therapists trained to support students in all areas.

The related services providers consult with teachers and offer student supports, incorporate assistive technology and adaptive equipment into the classroom, social skills groups, and practice prevention initiatives.

Speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy services are provided when students are found eligible for related services through the determination of Special Education or Section 504.

In addition, these providers can intervene with students who are exhibiting challenges and focus on preventative services in collaboration with classroom teachers.  These efforts reduce special education referrals while increasing teacher capacity and understanding of services.

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy focuses on receptive language, or the ability to understand words spoken to you, and expressive language, or the ability to use words to express yourself. It also deals with the mechanics of producing words, such as articulation, pitch, fluency, and volume.

Physical & Occupational Therapy

School-based physical therapy and occupational therapy plans are designed to remove barriers from students’ ability to learn, help students develop skills and increase their independence in the school environment, and educate school personnel about the different considerations required for students with disabilities.

Child Study Team

The Child Study Team (CST) is a general education initiative where students are referred by concerned staff members to discuss areas of need and develop strategies to support the student in the classroom. Boston Renaissance employs a comprehensive team of professionals (School Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, etc.) trained to support students in all areas. Working collaboratively with a focus on each student’s unique needs and strengths, the Child Study Team implements a multi-disciplinary team approach to provide the academic, emotional and social support necessary to support students. CST is a place for all of these professionals to collaborate and identify strategies that can promote student success.

You guys have a phenomenal ratio of student support staff to students Melissa Pearrow, PhD, Associate Professor of Counseling and School Psychology, College of Education and Human Development School Psychology PhD Program Director