Primary K-8 School
Arbor School of Central Florida's K-8 School uses a sensory-based classroom approach to work with children facing learning challenges such as autism, sensory processing disorder, down syndrome, and other diagnoses. Your child will receive an individualized curriculum that gives them the ability to progress and learn. In addition to highly personalized academics, students receive (as needed):
Greenspan Floortime & Sensory Integration
Arbor School relies on the Greenspan Floortime model coupled with Sensory Integration to help our students gain the communication and social skills needed to be successful in life. These models combined rely on trust, strong relationships, and meeting each child at their developmental level.
Meeting the child at his or her developmental level assures that demands are not above their ability which reduces the stress and anxiety of the child which decreases stressed induced behaviors. Higher level demands are placed on the child as they are able to attain them.
STEAM
Arbor School recognizes that technology is the future of our students and that they will be pursuing careers that are STEAM related, many of which have not been developed yet. With that, each child’s individualized learning plan includes a blend of direct instruction, hands-on learning, and STEAM. Our students have the opportunities to learn programming through robotics and game development, CAD and digital drawing through the use of 3-D printers and laser etching.
Project Based Learning
&
Universal Design Learning
Universal Design Learning is a tremendous tool that allows all students to learn and share what they know in ways that make sense for them. Ideally UDL would be used in all classes with all students as it allows all students to be successful.
UDL is based on three domains: (CAST. http://udlguidelines.cast.org)
Affect Networks which is the why are we learning this. Student engagement in the learning process is crucial with many different ways to engage students and keep them engaged. Some students work best in groups with lessons that are flashy while others prefer a quiet routine. Providing many different ways to engage the students will keep them engaged and learning. For our students, engagement is extremely important. School –wide we recognize that this is vitally important for our students. As a result, Arbor School uses Project Based Learning (Buck Institute for Education. https://www.pblworks.org/ ) as our primary tool for engagement.
Representation Networks is the what of learning. Students all learn differently either auditory, visually, or hands on. Some students will learn a concept fast while others will take longer and need multiple ways of learning before mastering the skill. Lessons that are presented using many different methods will assure students will be given the opportunity to learn. A vast majority of our students are visual, hands-on learners. As a direct result nearly everything we do with the students is taught using one of these methods through the use of multimedia, activities that incorporate movement (sight words on scooters), building atoms from Styrofoam, or learning math facts through music are just some of the ways we help meet the learning styles of our students.
Action and Expression is the how of learning and focuses on how a student organizes and expresses their ideas and requires a great deal of practice and organization. Students should be given multiple ways to express what they know whether it is with essays, speeches, presentations, or video. One of main components to Project Based Learning is that there are multiple ways for students to share what they know. Students who do not test well can show their knowledge through posters, skits, videos or any other method.
The use of UDL in the classroom allows all of the students to learn, grow, and be successful.
Schedule Snapshot
The school day begins with a PE class to get the students ready for the start of the day during homeroom. After the warm up, the learning starts with first period classes in the scheduled subject. The primary program stays within one classroom throughout the day, while the middle school rotates into the classes for each subject. During the day, the children will attend varying subjects from the basics such as math, science, and reading but will also learn through therapeutic activities and social interaction.
Individually-Tailored Learning Experience
These components are utilized in combination to help your child with their learning abilities, social skills, and language skills. A typical learning experience at our school also includes:
- Small Classroom Size
- Small Group Instruction
- Sensory Sessions
Arbor School At A Glance
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WHAT WE DO
- Support the Central Florida K-12 Special Needs Community since 2002
- Foster a teaching philosophy that's leading-edge, academically sound and therapeutically-based
- Create a comfortable, natural setting with small classrooms & outdoor spaces that encourage kids to walk, jump, or sit quietly during instruction
- Allow our students the opportunity to experience growth and progress in a way not seen in other programs through a culture of patience, caring, understanding and specialized training
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BECOMING A STUDENT
At Arbor, we want to make sure your child and Arbor are a perfect match. Over the course of several meetings, we get to know each other, review your child's IEP and evaluations, and give your child the chance to spend some time at Arbor to see how they like it. John McKay and Gardner Scholarship money is available via online applications.
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OUR STAFF
The Arbor School of Central Florida's employs nearly 30 staff, including administrators, therapists, teachers, and teaching assistants. We provide instruction for students from middle and primary school up to high school and transition. Therapies include Occupational, Speech & Language, Music Therapy and Art.
For staff contact info, please choose a category:
Administration
Therapy Team
Primary Teachers & Assistants
High School & Transition Teachers & Assistants
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FIND US
The Arbor School of Central Florida
1010 Spring Villas Pt.
Winter Springs, FL 32708-5242
Phone: (407)388-1808
Fax: (407)636-6915
Email Us -
DOWNLOADS
Below are some frequently-downloaded Arbor School forms and/or documents. Please click here to see our entire list.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
It's an easy and FREE way to help us help our kids!
Find out more here.
Through your donations, we are able to help assist over 50% of our families with tuition costs with The Arbor School Scholarship Program.
Find out more here. -
OUR SPONSORS
Arbor School News
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August 1 - Tuition payments due
August 1 – 9 Teacher Workdays
August 8 - Meet the teacher 1 – 4 PM
August 12 - First Day of Student Attendance
September 2 Labor Day – School Closed
October 16 - End of 1st Quarter
October 17 & 18 - School Closed for Students/Teacher Workday
October 21 - Progress Reports Go Home
November 25 – 29 - Thanksgiving Break
December 19 End of 2nd quarter & 1st semester
December 20 - School Closed for Students/Teacher Workday
December 23 – January 3 Winter Break
January 6 - Classes Resume
January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – School Closed
February 17 - President’s Day - School Closed
March 12 - End of 3rd Quarter
March 13 - School Closed for Students/Teacher Workday
March 16 - 20 Spring Break - School Closed
March 23 - Progress Reports Go Home
May 16 - Graduation
May 20 - End of 4th Quarter
May 22 - Last Day of Student Attendance
May 26 – 29 - Teacher Workdays
Please check back. We will be adding new events throughout the school year!
View the Full Arbor School of Central Florida Calendar.
Get In Touch
The Arbor School of Central Florida is listed on GuideStar, the world's largest nonprofit organization registry. View our profile.
Arbor School participates in the John McKay Scholarship and Gardiner Scholarship programs. For more information, click here.