Challenger School

5150 SE Willoughby Blvd.
Stuart, Florida

Phone (772) 219-1515   Fax (772) 219-1519

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Challenger community is to challenge our students to do their best through specialized programs to meet individual needs.

Beliefs

While learning is an ultimate goal, providing specialized services to students who require a comprehensive treatment plan to accommodate their handicaps is the chief priority of our school.

Exceptional students (e.g., physically, mentally, emotionally handicapped; gifted; second language, etc.) require specialized services and resources.

Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs.

Expectations should be tailored specifically to the individual.

Students learn in different ways and should be provided with a variety of instructional approaches to support their learning.

A student's self-esteem is enhanced by positive relationships and mutual respect among and between students and staff.

Students learn best when they are actually engaged in the learning process.

A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.

Teachers, students, administrators, parents, and the community share the responsibility for advancing the school's mission.

Challenger School is unique in its function. It is a special needs school serving all of Martin County. Our school is divided into two distinct departments. The SED department deals with the education of severely emotionally disabled students. The VE department deals with the education of profoundly mentally and physically disabled students.

School Characteristics

Challenger School is one of 26 public schools sites in the Martin County School District. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is located in the city of Stuart. Martin County has a population of approximately 140,000 people. The Challenger education environment provides special programs for the severely mentally/physically disabled and severely emotionally disturbed children ages 3-22 with the majority of the students being severely emotionally disturbed.

The students are from all areas of the county and are transported to and from school by Martin County School Buses. The staff consists of a principal, team leader, clinical coordinator, classroom teachers, vocational teacher, teaching assistants, crisis intervention specialist, a nurse and two secretaries. Challenger has an adaptive physical education teacher and a music therapist. A speech/language therapist, vision therapist, physical therapist, and an occupational therapist are assigned to the school. A sheriff's resource officer is also stationed at Challenger

A student is found eligible for a program at Challenger through specific procedures as defined by the Florida Department of Education Special Programs and Procedures manual.

The emotionally disturbed students benefit from a therapeutic environment conducive to learning, behavioral changes, and emotional growth. The related services of mental health counseling, case management, psychiatric assessment and treatment are provided through the contracted services of Human Services Associates and the Martin County School District.

The mentally/physically-disabled students are presented with a program that encompasses their physical, communication, health and personal care needs. The students' programs are carefully planned to include augmentative communication and special motor programs.

A team approach is utilized to coordinate services within the school and the community in order to meet the unique needs of each student.