Hanover High School RISE

Reaching Independence through Support and Education

Program Description

The goal of the Reaching Independence through Support and Education (RISE) program at Hanover High School is to help students increase their independence and achieve personal success with academic, life skills, and social/communication skills. This program has a special education teacher and a number of paraprofessionals depending on the student population. A speech and language therapist works with students according to their services and consults with the program staff. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) completes observations and meets with the special education teacher on a regular basis to review and create support plans. This program is individualized for each student’s needs which results in various classes, activities, and opportunities presented throughout the day. Some RISE students continue to work towards graduation requirements including course credits and passing MCAS while others focus on functional academics and necessary transition skills. RISE students each have different variations of how they access the program. Many RISE students access the program through a substantially separate classroom while participating in elective classes with their peers. Other students are in General Education for a portion of the day.  Each student’s schedule is determined by the Team process considering the need for any specially designed instruction. The curriculum is heavily modified and is presented using multiple modes of instruction paired with positive reinforcement and manipulatives through the use of authentic and real-life experiences when possible. Social Thinking and Coping strategies are implemented throughout the day by all program staff. RISE students are encouraged to participate in after-school activities such as Friendship Connection and Unified Sports which is supported and facilitated by program staff.

The intent of the RISE program is to focus on a variety of skills that are not typically accessible in the general education setting such as Social Pragmatics, Academic Strategies, Self-Advocacy Skills, Self- Awareness Skills, Self-Care/Life-Skills, Community Skills, and Pre-Vocational/Employability Skills.

RISE students may participate in various pre-vocational and community opportunities to support their transition needs and goals. Through the Team process, students and their families are connected with agency liaisons to assist in easing the transition to post-secondary supports. Students have participated in various experiences such as:

  • Community trips to practice money and socialization skills
  • Mini school-based internships
  • Household independence and self-care skills instruction
  • Support with business and transition-related classes/programs at HHS such as Internship and School to work
  • Cedar St. Cafe - at HHS and Cedar School, our program has its own small business
     
  • Ages Served: 14-18
  • Grades Served: Grades 9-12
  • Population/Disability: Communication, Developmental Delay, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Social-Emotional, Intellectual, Neurological

Calendar

  • School Year: 180 days, 6.5 hours per day
  • Extended School Year: Programming, days, and hours vary by student and are scheduled as documented by each student’s Individualized Education Plan

Service Providers

Special Education Teacher, Paraprofessionals/ABA tutors, Art, Music, P.E. Teachers, Speech-Language Pathologist, BCBA, Guidance and Adjustment Counselors, After-school Advisor, School Nurse, Technology Consult

Contact Person

Joseph Pumphrey, Ed.D., Special Education Administrator
Email: jpumphrey@hanoverschools.org
Phone Number: 781-878-5450, ext. 7473 
Address: 287 Cedar Street, Hanover, MA 02339