Renton Academy program to offer therapeutic approach to learning

New program, housed at the old Hazelwood School, will offer a small number of students a chance at quality education in an appropriate setting.

September 2006 - The Renton School District takes serious its mission to offer a quality education to all students. Our schools are filled with bright, energetic students who have a supportive family and enjoy attending school.

Some students, however, for a variety of reasons, struggle with schooling. Some have barriers in their transition to young adulthood like family conflict, mood disorder or a learning disability that create a stumbling block to their education and takes the focus off of attending school and doing well in class.

For some of these struggling students, the Renton School District is offering an alternative to the mainstream classroom.

The new program, housed at the old Hazelwood Elementary School, will offer about 30 students a therapeutic approach to their education. That means that along with reading, math, science and other regular classes, these students will learn self-care including how to get along with adults and other students, appropriate expression of their feelings and setting and achieving personal goals. The intent is to prepare these students to assimilate back into regular classrooms.

Students will ride small buses to school. None of the nine high school-aged students involved in the program will be allowed to drive themselves to school. Hours for the program are Monday thru Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Facts about Renton School District’s use of the old Hazelwood School: