Transformation Academy To Host Prom For Students With Special Needs At Baltimore Campus

Transformation Academy To Host Prom For Students With Special Needs At Baltimore Campus

On Friday, August 12th, 36 students from The Children’s Guild Transformation Academy in Baltimore will get dressed up and go to the prom to celebrate the start of their new year in this special education school that has become a thriving environment for dozens of students ages 5-21 whose primary diagnosis is autism. Many of the students also have co-existing diagnoses of sensory processing disorder, a specific learning disability, health impairment or multiple disabilities.

According to Ariel Long, One-to-One Administrator and Teacher Katie Boyle, “All students should have the opportunity to go to the prom, and we are so looking forward to giving our students the chance to Be A Star at Prom 2022.  Instead of crowning a prom king and queen, we will be recognizing each student with for their individual accomplishments and what makes them so special.”

  • What: Be A Star Prom 2022, featuring red carpet student introductions, a corsage building station, photo booth, and informal fun awards
  • Date: Friday, August 12, 2022
  • Time: 12:00 – 2:30 pm
  • Location: 6802 McClean Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21234 (Gymnasium)

The Transformation Academy provides skills and support to students and their families across a variety of settings including home, workplace, and community.  The teachers and administrators provide programming to foster growth and independence for each student utilizing a collaborative team approach of highly trained professionals, including special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, behavior specialists, transition coordinators, and therapeutic behavior aides.

The Transformation Academy is part of The Children’s Guild schools and programs which respond to the unique needs of every child, family, and community it serves. The organization is one of the largest providers of charter schools, special education, autism services, treatment foster care, and family mental and behavioral health services in the region. 

Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild, Inc., Baltimore Campus, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School, The Children’s Guild – Prince George Campus, Monarch Academy Glen Burnie, Monarch Academy Global – Laurel, Monarch Academy Annapolis, The Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Treatment Foster Care, The Children’s Guild- Transformation Academy, Monarch Preschool College Park, TranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships.  For more information, visit https://childrensguild.org/.

The Children’s Guild Announces New Autism School and Holds Open Houses

The Children’s Guild Announces New Autism School and Holds Open Houses

The Children’s Guild will open The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy, a new non-public school providing special education services to children on the autism spectrum, on Oct. 18, 2021. Transformation Academy’s primary goal is to prepare students for transition into adulthood by focusing on functional life skills and activities of daily living beginning at a young age. By offering wrap-around services, we strive to make life better for the students and their families by meeting each student where they are and maximizing their level of independence.

Located at 6802 McClean Blvd., in Baltimore, The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy is a 12-month, day school for students ages 5-21, whose primary diagnosis is autism but may have co-existing diagnoses of sensory processing disorder, a specific learning disability, a health impairment or multiple disabilities. At Transformation Academy, we know that our students are more than their diagnoses and we strive to educate and support families in their hopes for their child as a family member and a member of the community.

The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy will hold open houses for interested families on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 30, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“We work with children on the autism spectrum whose needs cannot be met in public schools,” said Sarah Weitzel, speech language pathologist and clinical supervisor for The Children’s Guild: Transformation Academy. Our primary purpose is to prepare students for transition into adulthood. We focus on functional life skills and activities of daily living and offer wrap-around services that make life better for the students, to maximize their level of independence.”

Instructional areas are determined by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and may include communication skills, self-care, functional academics, fine and gross motor skills and behavior and socialization skills. The school offers a community-based component and introduces students to job, recreation and leisure skills. Referrals are made through the student’s local public school system, and funding is through local and state boards of education.

The open houses are walk-in friendly, and no pre-registration is required. All COVID-19 safety precautions will be in effect. For more information, visit www.childrensguildschools.org/transformation-academy or email Sarah Weitzel at [email protected].

Affiliates of The Children’s Guild include The Children’s Guild School of BaltimoreThe Children’s Guild School of Prince George’s CountyThe Janet and Frank Kelly Autism CenterMonarch Academy public charter and contract schools, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter SchoolThe Outpatient Mental Health CenterThe Academy: Therapeutic Group HomesTreatment Foster CareThe Children’s Guild: Transformation AcademyMonarch Preschool College ParkTranZed Academy for Working Students (TAWS), and TranZed Apprenticeships.