What is PM School?

PM School is an accelerated alternative educational program that is offered as one of our Multiple Pathways opportunities in the Central Falls School District. The program is designed to help the school district to better meet the needs of students who are having difficulty adjusting to school in the traditional school day setting and or students who are experiencing significant difficulty on an individual and personal level; which impacts their ability to succeed in the traditional school setting.  For these students, barriers have impacted their ability to be successful and have adversely affected all academic progress; often contributing to challenges with behavior. Students in PM School are provided with a variety of options that can lead to graduation and are supported by services; which are offered for both the student and their immediate family. PM School combines a requirement for daily work experience, community service, volunteerism, and internship as one part of a work study component of the student’s academic program and school day.  Academic hours and class time comprise the second component.

Highlights of our PM School:

• Content Courses via Certified Teachers – direct instruction and Virtual Learning
• A non-traditional and highly individualized schedule for the school day
• Credit Recovery opportunities through both an accelerated curriculum and other Expanded Learning opportunities
• Consistent and regular access to “wrap around supports” and services. experience, and post secondary exploration and training
• Smaller classes and individualized instruction
• Specialized staff; comprised of both regular and special education teachers
• Consistent access to support services

Who will attend PM school?

Students who are considered for enrollment in PM School are students who:

• are in need of credits to Graduate – Credit Recovery
• have experienced multiple class failures
• have experienced persistent behavioral challenges
• have experienced challenges with attendance
• are significantly challenged by the traditional structure of the day school/learning environment because of extenuating and personal barriers to academic success
• are committed to earning a high school diploma

What are the objectives for PM School?

• To provide students with an opportunity to meet with academic success in a positive, supportive and non-traditional learning environment.
• To improve the overall learning environment of students through individualized plans that accommodate specific student needs.
• To facilitate a plan of internal and external supports for promoting academic success on the part of individual students.
• To monitor and mentor students as they develop and learn the skills required for success in the traditional day school setting.

 How does PM School work?

 Students are instructed by certified teachers.

• Student progress is monitored according to individual Personal Education Plans (PEPs).
• Day School and PM School staff collaborate in order to ensure curricular alignment.
• Students earn credits through work based learning experiences and through academic content based courses.
• Students receive ongoing support from school counselors and other instructional support staff as needed and in support of their PEP’s.

Who will design the Personal Education Plan?

In coordination with a prospective student’s Guidance Counselor, the PM School staff and the Dean of Students will design the PEP.  The plan will take into account the entire record of the student and will be approved by the Deputy Superintendent of Transformation.

What is the schedule for PM School?

PM School is in session every school day from 3:15 PM to 5:45 PM or at other times based on curricular, facility, or personnel considerations.  Student schedules and evaluations are determined through the development of Personal Education Plans (PEPs) and The Dean of Students and the PM School staff will coordinate the flow of such assignments and evaluations relative to the PEP of the student and other mandated district and or statewide required testing.

What is the attendance policy for PM School?

Students who attend PM School will be counted as present for the days they attend.  Students who are assigned to attend, but do not come to PM School are counted as absent and if appropriate, deemed truant.

How is misbehavior addressed in PM School?

In order to ensure that PBGR requirements, Common Core Standards and other Grade Level Expectations are met, there is a strict framework for instruction that cannot be compromised by habitual misbehavior.  As a result, there are clear expectations that students will be expected to adhere to as outlined in the PM School Handbook.  Students will comply with all directives relative to appropriate behavior and critical incidents of misbehavior such as disruptive behavior on a habitual level, fighting, cursing, threatening, bullying, intimidating, assault, verbal abuse of staff, and other Tier 2 and Tier 3 infractions will result in the immediate removal of a student from the PM School Program.

What is the process for enrolling a student in PM School?

• Any staff member, student or family member may refer a student to PM School.
• Referrals are made through appointments with the Guidance Counselor.
• Guidance Counselor completes the referral and makes contact with the Dean of Students regarding eligibility.
• Dean of Students reviews the referral for consideration.
• Dean of Students schedules an Intake Meeting with the family.

The Deputy Superintendent of Transformation and the Dean of Students will render final approval for a student’s admittance into PM School.

For further information regarding PM School, please contact the Dean of Students.