Curriculum

Madonna School is a special place helping very special children. Certified by the Nebraska Department of Education, we are the only private, Catholic special education program in Omaha. Madonna School currently has 52 students enrolled for the 2006-2007 academic year. Our students range in age from 6 to 21, and have been diagnosed with an assortment of cognitive and other developmental disabilities.

Each student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) that is created by faculty and the student's Local Education Agency (LEA) representative, which outlines personalized learning goals. Parents meet with teachers twice during the academic year to review their child's IEP. Our teachers are certified in special education. Each classroom has a teacher and trained teacher's associate. The student to adult ratio in each classroom is five to one. The small class sizes and personalized attention are essential to each student's success.

The curriculum and instruction at Madonna School are based on a functional academic approach. Every effort is made to utilize experiential and meaningful learning activities that appeal to all of the child's senses. This method allows students to make sense of the instruction and aid in retention of new material. Our curriculum includes a complete list of academic subjects:

Language Arts Writing Reading Math Science Social Studies Religion Computer Training

Library Skills Transition Skills Music Art Physical Education Health Speech Pathology Environmental Education

In addition to academics, Madonna School's curriculum includes independent living skills and job skills. The school has a furnished learning apartment, in which students practice independent living skills. They learn how to cook, use a dishwasher, set a table, wash and dry clothing, make a bed, care and cleaning of restroom facilities and telephone etiquette. Students learn job skills through classroom instruction and on-site experience at several local businesses. Madonna School employs two vocational coordinators who oversee our Work Experience Program. Both independent living skills and job skills are vital for our students to learn so they may become productive members of the community after they graduate from Madonna School.

Although Madonna School is a special place for special needs children, every opportunity is provided for students to integrate into the community. Students go on many fieldtrips throughout the school year. In addition, students from Creighton University, Methodist College of Nursing and area high schools, as well as employees of local businesses and organizations volunteer their time to work with students in the classrooms, help with Special Olympics or organize fun activities.

Madonna School admits students of any color, national and ethnic origins to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered.

Vision Statement

Madonna School's vision, purpose and goal is to encourage optimum performance, develop academic and survival skills, establish self-confidence, and make job training opportunities available to developmentally and cognitively disabled students in order to enable each to become independent, self-supporting individuals.

Scheduled Day

7:30 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 noon 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 3:15 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

Early Drop-off (reading, leisure & recreation activities) Beginning of classes Recess (for K-8 students) Lunch Recess & recreation activities (K-12) Resumption of classes End of classes Late Pick-up (reading, leisure & recreation activities)

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