Our Approach

Differentiated and Individualized Programs

Most schools today have one method of teaching to which all students are required to conform, yet this style of learning can often lead to students feeling alienated, acting out, or “falling through the cracks”. Often, students need additional assistance in certain areas and cannot obtain the assistance they need in a traditional classroom setting. To remedy this, Porter Academy began as an alternative learning program centered on a whole-child approach to learning.

For a better understanding of our approach, please visit one of the following pages:

• Program Overview
• Academics
• Social-Emotional Learning
• Therapies and Specials
• Student Assessment
• Lower School: Pre-Kindergarten through third grade
• Upper School: Third grade through eighth grade

We work hard to understand who each child is and what they need. We enable our students to experience success through lessons that are modified for their specific skillsets. Our end goal is to not only improve their self-esteem, but to also help them develop the skills necessary to help them succeed outside of the classroom and as they continue their education in other schools.

Academic Development

At Porter Academy, we follow the Core Knowledge Curriculum which has an emphasis on language and providing a broad knowledge base that is necessary to succeed in society. We also utilize well-established academic programs including Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, Edmark, and Touch Math to enable students who struggle to learn through traditional instructional methods to succeed in decoding, encoding, reading comprehension, and math. At Porter Academy, students receive instruction in the following subjects: Reading (decoding, encoding, comprehension), Math (concepts and calculations), Writing, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

Social-Emotional Learning

Students also receive lessons in social-emotional learning (SEL), which is the process through which students gain knowledge, experience, and ability to manage their emotions, establish and promote caring relationships, and handle challenging circumstances in a productive manner. This is incorporated into all aspects of our teaching, which allows for our teachers to be understanding, empathetic, and caring.

Therapeutic Support and Specials

All students participate in Speech-Language therapy, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art, Sign Language, Computer Lab, Library, and daily Physical Education within a group setting. The therapists also support students outside of their “therapy time” by providing tools and strategies to help meet students’ underlying needs, allowing for greater success in the classroom.

Porter Academy – Are we a fit for your family?

If your child is struggling in a more traditional school setting, contact us to decide if Porter Academy may be the right fit for your child.