The academic program at Ironwood School is a student-focused experience where the academic curriculum is customized and the attention is personalized.
By the time a new student arrives at Ironwood School, our academic director and staff have already begun coordinating with the child’s home school and researching possible obstacles to learning and identifying credit deficiencies.
After arrival, each student will spend a significant amount of one-on-one time with our Academic Director Larry Reynolds to review academic proficiency, learning challenges and academic goals. After a thorough evaluation, a personalized academic plan is created which fosters a seamless transition from the sending school to Ironwood School. While Ironwood is a licensed school, most students are co-enrolled with our distance education partner, Oak Meadow School. Oak Meadow is the nation’s premiere distance education provider. This combination creates the most personalized and comprehensive academic offering available today.
The foundation of this academic plan is the identification and understanding of the student’s dominant learning style. As students understand their learning style they can more effectively manage their academic experience and prepare proper strategies to minimize challenges.
Ironwood teachers are not only certified and experienced professionals, they also possess both the temperament and skill to help struggling teens succeed academically. Ironwood teachers can effectively work with students at all levels, from those significant learning challenges to high-achieving college bound students. The academic experience and curriculum are designed in such a way as to foster and build upon academic success. The most effective way this is done is through a personal one-on-one teacher-to-student relationship and skill building.
On average, a graduating student has earned nearly six high school credits, and has advanced one full grade level. The teaching faculty focuses on genuine academic success, not GED preparation.
Most students are able to earn more credits than usual because they have discovered a new satisfaction and purpose for learning. This desire for learning coupled with our personalized attention to each student provides the support they need to stay focused.
Our personalized approach to coursework allows students to focus on their abilities without having to compete with students who may be more advanced, or wait for others to catch up. Tutorial assistance is a key component to the academic experience which ensures students are supported and guided to explore more challenging assignments.
Ironwood's academic program collaborates with several colleges and universities that facilitate advanced science and math courses such as calculus and college physics. College preparation including SAT prep, college selection and career exploration are important parts of the academic experience.
Considering that many of our students have not done well academically before coming to Ironwood, it is impressive that over 90% are planning to attend college after completing their program at Ironwood.
Students who come to Ironwood with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 plans are also accommodated and supported. No student is asked to do more than they are able, but all are expected to work to their full capabilities.
Students' progress is tracked on a daily basis so no one falls through the cracks. Definite, measurable and clearly stated expectations, geared to a student's academic abilities are part of each student’s academic plan. Our aim is to get students back on track, and accelerate them once they are on the rails. Given the chance, everyone wants to learn and advance in life. We give teens that chance.
To read more about Ironwood Academics, please see our
Academic Blog.
