They were a small class—about 20 in all—but the 2011 Vista School graduating seniors had accomplished big things. For these teens—all students at Vista School—earning their diplomas required much more than merely mastering the three reading, writing and ‘rithmatic. For these special needs teens, high school graduation required overcoming herculean challenges, including unimaginable trauma, severe emotional and behavioral problems, as well as learning disabilities.
The graduating seniors accepted their diplomas with great joy thanking those in the packed gymnasium for not giving up on them, and giving special thanks to the school itself.
Operated by Vista Del Mar Child
and Family Services, Vista School is a nonpublic, special-education institution that currently serves some 300, K-12 students. Recently designated a “School of Excellence” by the National Association of Special Education Teachers, Vista School is reserved for youngsters with learning disabilities or developmental challenges, as well as those who experience social, emotional, or behavioral problems or other mental-health issues.
As one of the 2011 graduates, Shane Phelps, 17, put it, “Vista School actually cared about me and my future.” Before enrolling at Vista School, Shane’s future looked anything but bright. While Shane always had struggled academically, his troubles increased following the death of his dad from a drug overdose. Shane, who was 11 at the time, went on to attend a series of nonpublic schools that he characterizes as “horrible.” By seventh grade, he simply refused to go—a stance he maintained throughout eighth grade as well. Seeing no other solution, Shane’s mother placed him in Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services’ Residential Treatment Program. At the same time, Shane was enrolled in Vista School.
After living at Vista for a year and receiving intense, therapeutic treatment, Shane’s anger and depression subsided significantly and he moved back with his mom in Lakewood, but continued to attend Vista School. When he walked on stage to accept his diploma, Shane bore little resemblance to the middle-school dropout he once was. Since starting at Vista School, Shane shed 120 pounds and evolved into a mature, articulate young man with the steadfast focus to earn straight A’s in his last semester at the school.
“Without Vista, I wouldn’t have learned how to connect with other people,” Phelps explains. “Because of Vista, I want to help change the world in a positive way.”
Vista School’s Director of Education Donna Baker attributes the school’s success—including the fact that within one year, the majority of students improve two to three grade levels and 95% graduate—to the seamless melding of education and mental-health services. Another success factor is all Vista teachers are specifically trained in special education and the school features a student-to-teacher ratio of three to one. “This is a therapeutic school. Unlike public schools where special-ed students may see a counselor once a week, each of our students has a
personal therapist, and we provide individual, group, and family therapy,” said Baker who is also the mother of two Vista graduates.
For more information;www.vistadelmar.org.
