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.