The Rise School of Houston provides specialized early childhood education services to children with Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities (and also to children without disabilities, who represent about 30% of the 96 children enrolled). The school’s curriculum is designed to foster children’s self-esteem, confidence, independence and curiosity and aims to support children in their current environment as well as prepare them for mainstream kindergartens. Services are designed around an individualized intervention plan with goals and outcomes based on the family’s concerns, priorities and resources; the child’s strengths and needs; and expectations of the next environment.
In addition to donating the facility that housed the Rise School for its first 10 years, Texas Children’s invested in professional resources (OT/PT and Speech) for the education of parents, educators and administrators relating to the development and needs of young children, including those with Down syndrome and other developmental delays.
Watch a video about the Rise School.
Community Impact 2011
- In 2011, the Rise School moved into its own state-of-the-art facility at 5618 H. Mark Crosswell Jr. Street, on the Texas Medical Center’s Leland Campus. The new facility will allow the school to nearly double its capacity by 2014.
- The Rise School of Houston formed an affiliation with the University of Texas Health Science Center’s Lend Program which strives to prepare future leaders in the medical treatment of children with all types of disabilities, as well as provide more accurate diagnosis, improve service delivery and treatment and to empower and encourage families to become an active participant in their child’s diagnosis and treatments.
- The VAST Program at Houston Community College works closely with The Rise School to provide volunteers and teacher’s aides allowing adults with special needs to gain experience, employment and independence in the work force.
- The Rise School sponsored the T21 Conference which allows parents, teachers and medical professionals to address trends, answer questions and provide new insights on Down syndrome.
- The Rise School works with universities like St. Thomas, HBU and HCC as well as the University of Houston School of Optometry, UT Genetics and the Kansas State University Music Therapy Program for student teachers, therapists and interns to receive observation time.
