Colmena Academy
While many schools that serve students with disabilities are designed with a “one size fits all” approach, at Colmena we support the principles and values of universal design in education (UDE). Colmena staff seek to make all aspects of the educational experience more inclusive for all students. Colmena’s approach to universal design for learning includes:
Differentiated Curriculum
Differentiated curriculum implementing the common core standards and alternative standards, adapted to the instructional level and learning style of each student, whether struggling to access fundacional components or achieving years ahead of their grade level.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
Functional communication support including a language enriched educational environment where students are spoken to with respect and are taught to access alternative communication modalities to allow them to reciprocate language.
Integrated and embedded sensory supports
Integrated and embedded sensory supports with instruction to teach students how to accept and provide sensory support necessary for them to have functional movement and a calm body in their everyday lives.