 About us…
Stepss was created as a
result of the need in our community for a new school with an innovative
approach to teaching. With over 25 years of experience, founder and
Headmaster, Shirley Gil, established the foundation for a love of
learning. Having a son diagnosed with a
learning disability, Ms. Gil quickly realized the challenges that
parents faced when trying to find the proper learning environment for
their children. Using her vast knowledge as an educator and
administrator, Ms. Gil devoted her time and energy into finding
alternative methods to traditional teaching. Today,
thanks to his mother’s faith and efforts, Ms. Gil’s son is a Magna Cum Laude college graduate who is now following
his dream to become a doctor.
Teaching Approach
Stepss Academy provides
students with an individualized education using the teaching techniques
that are most successful for each type of learner—visual, auditory,
tactile, kinetic--at the pace at which they are able to learn. Students are given a lot of verbal praise,
repetition, and breaks as needed. The majority of our students have
been diagnosed within the autism spectrum or with a related attention,
sensory, developmental or communication disorder. Some students have
mild behavioral challenges, and most are of average or above average
intelligence. Students are placed in small classes of no more than 6
students with an ESE certified teacher and a part-time teacher
assistant. All teachers and teacher
assistants have completed, or are in the process of completing,
training as Applied Behavior Analyst assistants. Class
placement is determined by the child’s academic and functionality
level.
Inclusion
Although Stepss Academy is a
self-contained educational environment, our students are provided with
opportunities to interact with students from Christi Academy. Both
schools jointly participate in monthly field trips, field days,
after school clubs, and sports that are open to all. In addition, Stepss
students attend Tae Kwon Do, P.E., Art, Yoga, Music, Theater and Gymnastics with Christi Academy
students. The goal is for Stepss Academy students to be fully
incorporated into Christi Academy. Accordingly, Stepss students are
mainstreamed at the rate at which they are able to successfully learn
in a larger general education environment.
Sports and Clubs
 Soccer
Basketball
Cheerleading
Safety Patrol
Drama Club
Spanish Club
Safety and Health Club (Life Skills)
 PTSA and
Volunteer Opportunities
Stepss Academy understands the
important role that parental involvement plays in the success of each
student’s
education and school life. We,
therefore, encourage all parents and guardians to be involved in the
PTSA and
all school activities, as much as possible.
For
the safety of all students,
the school requires that volunteers undergo a screening process. The
first step
of the process involves completing a volunteer questionnaire and
submitting it
to the Assistant Principal, who will assist volunteers in scheduling a
fingerprint appointment. Once clearance has been obtained, volunteers
may start
assisting in school activities. Please
click below to open the file with the volunteer questionnaire.
Volunteer
Questionnaire
Curriculum/Specials
Curriculum
The Curriculum and course of study at the Christi and Stepss Academy meets the requirements of the State of Florida.
Stepss
Academy provides a comprehensive program based on the educational and
developmental levels of the individual student. Our curriculum is based upon
the developmental, individual-differences, relationship-based approach and
includes: Visuals, Speech and Language, Social stories, Sensory room with
therapy, Role-play, Gymnastics, Art, Tae Kwon Do, and Weekly filed trips.
Our
academic curriculum, in accordance with the Sunshine State Standards includes
math, science, language arts, social studies, health and physical education.
Our academic programs build on each individual child's abilities an interests,
leading to increased comprehension and retention of all concepts introduced.
Our curriculums used to assist students in meeting their academic goals and
highly individualized for each student and include: Edmark Reading Program, the
Lindamood Bell The Talkies program, Saxon Math, Saxon English, as well as the
AIMS Education Foundation Science Program.
Our Family Communication Model: Each student receives daily communication notes
home as well as quaterly progress reports and annual IEP meetings. We welcome
parents to make an appointment and observe the classroom in action.
Specials
Tae
Kwon Do
Instructor: Master Nestor
Tae
Kwon Do is a safe, fun class
that teaches students stretching, stances, kicking, jumping, and hand
techniques. It is also a venue for
students to learn discipline and structure while working on motor,
sensory, and
social skills through the practice of this martial art.
Tae Kwon Do gives students a chance to also
work on courtesy, perseverance and self-control. Students
generally see an increase in their
self-confidence and balance skills. The
class
is taught twice per week and the students are required to wear their
Tae Kwon
Do uniform to class.
R.E.A.D.
Certified Instructors: Mr.
Josh, Ms. Shirley, and Mr. Jorge
[Include picture of the therapy
dog here]
The
Reading Education Assistance
Dog program “R.E.A.D.” can help improve the student’s reading skills by
providing a powerful method: reading to a trained dog. Kano is a dog
who has
been trained, tested and certified for health, safety, and temperament. Students tend to increase their confidence
when reading to a non-judgmental buddy like Kano. For
self-conscious readers, Kano can help
increase relaxation while reading to an attentive friend that will not
judge or
criticize him or her and that is less intimidating than peer.
Music
Instructor: Ms. Losada
We
believe that music is an
important part of the curriculum; therefore our students take this
class two to
three times per week. Singing, dancing,
and movement not only bring joy to students but also help them calm and
self-regulate so they can learn better. Students are afforded the
opportunity
to both learn about music and learn to play an instrument.
The school has a piano, guitars and recorders
for instructional purposes.
Physical
Education (“P.E.”)
Instructor: Mr.
Machiavello
Understanding
that regular
physical activity helps with memory retention, improved attention span
and
learning, P.E. is offered weekly. Physical activity allows students to
relieve
stress and aggression, thereby bringing better focus to the classroom. During P.E. class, students work on both
motor and social skills. Through games
and exercises, students are taught to think on their feet.
Through sports lessons, students can
demonstrate leadership skills, practice following instructions, and
learn respectful
conflict resolution.
Theater
Instructor: Ms. Losada
Theater
provides a wonderful
opportunity for students to develop their imagination, increase their
self-confidence, and promote self-expression. The
class teaches students how to work as part
of a group and provides
an excellent environment for friendships to flourish. Theater class is
a
learning experience that involves many senses—seeing, listening, and
feeling.
It is a great tool to educate, inspire and entertain students.
Gymnastics
Instructor: TBD
Twins Gymnastics introduces kids to
the world of gymnastics. This program will help the children improve social
interaction with peers, increase self-esteem and confidence. It will develop
coordination, flexibility and strength.
Yoga
Instructor:
Ms. Shirley
Yoga
is a wonderful tool to teach
students listening skills (how to do a pose); release stress (by
stretching
tense muscles and learn calming breathing exercises); and teach
perseverance
(not to give up on a difficult pose). Yoga can help overactive students
to
settle down and it is a great tool to release frustration, anger and
agitation
in students.
Art
Instructor: TBD
Art
is an opportunity for
students’ self-expression and is beneficial to their self-esteem. Art,
music
and sports can provide students with the success they are struggling to
achieve
in the classroom and, therefore, promote a positive experience while
attending
school. Art is an important part of the students’ development, which
supports
creative expression and encourages “thinking outside the box.”
Field
Trips
Stepss
students participate in
weekly field trips that provide students with learning opportunities in
the
areas of life skills, academics, social and/or sensory areas. Please visit our calendar to keep informed on
the upcoming field trips. Please note that signed parental
authorization forms
and payments must be received on a timely fashion for students to
participate.
Life Skills Program
Instructor: TBD
Our Life Skills
program focuses on the everday skills such as: personal/social skills, hygiene,
independent life skills such as cooking and clothing care, work competencies,
and functional academics. These skills are essential for our students to
learn because they provide the basis for and facilitate transition from school
to life in the "real world. Our students learn things better when
they are not confined to sitting behind a desk or staying in one spot, learning
life skills are best done "by doing".
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