What is different about of The Northwest Florida Academy's instructional program?
A child's individual learning profile is unique to that child. Understanding how a child learns and knowing what strategies minimize problems are important to the success of the student. Even students who share a diagnosis such as dyslexia have profiles that are distinctive. Research indicates that learning challenges are differences in how a person processes information and these differences make it difficult for them to learn by traditional methods. The brain can be trained in different ways so that students with learning challenges learn how their brain learns best, despite their processing differences. For this reason, we believe that instruction must be individualized to match each child's learning strengths and weaknesses. (https://dyslexiaida.org/definition-consensus-project)

What is the profile of the students served in The Northwest Florida Academy?
The students in The Northwest Florida Academy have language-based learning disabilities. Many of the students in The Northwest Florida Academy experience a reading disability known as dyslexia. Our goal is for the students we serve to be able to learn in a regular educational setting when they leave The Northwest Florida Academy.

 

How do you decide if a child is a fit for The Northwest Florida Academy?
We carefully examine each child's comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to assess the level and specific needs of the student’s learning challenge. If the underlying learning deficits are affected by our remedial approach we ask that parents bring their child in for an interview, tour, and placement testing. From this, we obtain information about the types of errors a child makes in oral language, reading, spelling, written language and math as well as in pragmatic language or social skills. We then compare the child's learning profile and educational needs to those students who will make up the remainder of the class. If the child fits our overall profile and the needs can be met in the group, he/she is appropriate for our educational program.

 

Why is language a significant focus in The Northwest Florida educational program?
The Northwest Florida Academy has 4 speech-language pathologists working with the students and teachers in a unique collaborative model. Each class has a speech-language pathologist assigned as a co-teacher so much of the language work is done in the classroom with the teacher and the speech-language pathologist. Our students also receive individual or small group services as needed. Research tells us that most learning challenges are language-based. Students with dyslexia are experiencing a problem mapping the sounds of language (phonemes) onto symbols. They often have problems in spoken language and their written language development may also be affected. We believe that vocabulary development, comprehension of language, oral communication, and conversational skills should be a part of the educational foundation.  

Does this mean all students in a class are taught the same way?
No, instruction and strategies are individualized. Our reading groups are small (3 or less students in a group). We want a child's academic and language skill levels to be compatible with the class so that he/she can succeed in group activities. We want all students to receive instruction on his or her level.

 

What method does The Northwest Florida Academy use to teach students to read?
In The Northwest Florida Academy, we match the method to the child's particular needs. Our program adheres to the National Reading Panel components (https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/nrp) and we believe in using the child's learning profile to drive academic instruction.  The student learning profile is obtained through diagnostic evaluation and placement testing and determines the methods which will address a student’s area of need. Included in each child's program is attention to phonological awareness, phonics/word attack/decoding, vocabulary, comprehension, encoding, spelling, and fluency. The Northwest Florida Academy teachers and speech language pathologists are trained in various research validated methods and curricula such as: Lindamood-Bell, Don Johnston, Barton Reading & Spelling Systems, Saxon Phonics, SPELL-Links, Lexonix, and Equals Math to meet the individual student learning needs.

How does the school balance remediation, regular curriculum, and special activities?
While remediation is at the heart of our program, we want students to experience success in all aspects of school but our priority is the remediation of deficits in reading and language. We utilize materials from mainstream curricula so that our students are exposed to content they will be expected to know. Science and Social Studies are presented in thematic units and support listening comprehension, oral and written language, reading, and math goals. Occupational Therapists support classroom programs to address the sensory and motor needs of the students and they serve as resources to our parents. Our program also includes movement education in our gym and outdoors to improve gross motor abilities, teach the language of movement and space, and to help students learn rules and skills to participate in group games and activities.  Art and music are also a part of the curriculum. Computer skills are taught to all students through our school wide “Bring Your Own Device”/BYOD program. Our classrooms use technology in group instruction, as well as, Google classroom to foster group project learning,

What are the school goals for students with language-based learning challenges?
Our three basic goals for students in The Northwest Florida Academy are also the criteria we consider in evaluating a child's progress and recommending a school change. The goals are to assist each student in learning how he or she learns best, while utilizing effective strategies to maximize their learning, to increase student achievement through individualized direct remedial instruction, and to help students become self advocates who are willing to actively engage in learning situations through successful use of accommodations and technology.

What are the qualifications of The Northwest Florida Academy teachers?
All teachers in The Northwest Florida Academy are required to have a bachelor’s degree or higher with specialized training in learning disabilities, special education, speech-language pathology or reading. They must hold valid teaching certificates and/or certification from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and a Florida license. Continuing education is required and financially supported by The Northwest Florida Academy.

Do you accept students with behavior problems?
No. We do not have the structure or program to work with students who have behavior problems. The program is designed for students with learning disabilities. Students who can not learn in our setting or who impede the learning of others are assisted in finding a more appropriate setting.

Do you accept students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
In reviewing applications for the program, we consider a child's ability to regulate attention and how their attention will impact his or her ability to learn in our educational environment. If it appears that a child's attention problems will interfere with his or her learning, to the degree that our program will not be effective or that behaviors will interfere with the progress of others, acceptance will be denied.  

 

Medication is not required for attendance; however, if our structure is not sufficiently effective and a child's attention problems interfere with his/her ability to achieve the program goals or with the learning of other students, our program is no longer appropriate. Assistance in finding another placement will be provided.

 

What is your position on medication for students with ADHD?
Medication does not remediate learning disabilities, it can only make a child more available for instruction. In keeping with current research, we believe that ADHD is a neurologically-based problem that, in many cases, is helped by medication. However, medication alone may not be the most effective treatment approach. The diagnosis of ADHD is not the job of a school; it is that of a physician with input from parents, teachers, and other professionals who work with or test the child. (R. Barkley, International Consensus Statement on ADHD, Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, Vol. 5, No. 2, June 2002)

The Northwest Florida Academy classes are small and provide structure that may be sufficient to enable students with ADHD to learn without the need for medical intervention. If, however, a child's rate of progress is affected significantly by attention problems, we consider it our responsibility as educational professionals to discuss this with parents and recommend that they consult with a physician to determine whether medication is an option for their child. In addition, teachers will discuss with parents the possible impact of attention problems on a child who is leaving the program and returning to a school with larger classes. If a child is on medication, our teachers provide feedback to parents and physicians to help determine medication side effects or benefit.

How long do students stay in your program?
Research shows the average length of a remedial program is about three years. Students progress at different rates. Some students may leave after two years; others may stay longer than three years. We recommend that students leave when their goals have been met or if it appears that our program is no longer appropriate to meet their needs.

What do you expect from the parents of students in The Northwest Florida Academy?
We ask each family (any combination of parents, guardians or extended family members such as grandparents) to volunteer a minimum of 10 hours per school year. We hope our families will become active participants in their child's learning goals. We offer ongoing parent education through school-wide programs, the quarterly parent-teacher meetings and individual education team conferences to assist parents in understanding how their child learns. 

Do parents get assistance in selecting a new school?
Yes, we meet with families quarterly to discuss progress as well as placement. Our educational team meets with families of students leaving the school to discuss the learning needs of the child and suggestions of schools with appropriate learning environments or support services. Of course, the final decisions as to where families apply and which schools they select are the families' decision.

Dress Code

School colors are navy, white and green. School dress code for students of The Northwest Florida Academy include khaki or navy pants, non-distressed jeans, and any solid color shirt in school approved colors. Approved school t-shirts and logo polo shirts are available for purchase and information will be sent home on the first day of school. Contact us for more information.

How can I get more information about The Northwest Florida Academy?
If you are interested in more information about The Northwest Florida Academy, contact us via email or you may call The Northwest Florida Academy at (850-640-0328).