Education Programs
Adjudicated youth who are placed in secure care attend classes at Middle Creek. These youth also have access to Title I remedial and special education services. Youth participate in employability skills to foster career choices. Middle Creek provide instruction that helps students develop essential work and study habits as well as life skills, through a structured technology based classroom environment. Also included during the academic school day are treatment related support provided by Adephoi staff who are present within the classroom.
Adjudicated or dependent youth placed in community based residential programs attend school at Scatena Center. Youth have access to both Title I remedial math and language arts and special education services. Youth participate in employability classes and leave with a career portfolio. Students in Scatena Center also have an opportunity to participate in an after-school career readiness program with five specific hand-on programming options. Scatena Center provides students with a supportive and structured environment where academic growth is encouraged by focusing on critical thinking skills, independent learning and the use of technology in the classroom. Also included during the academic school day are treatment related support provided by Adephoi staff who travel with the students throughout the day.
Alternative education is a parent choice program for non-adjudicated students who live at home but are in need of a more structured school environment. To be eligible for this program, a student must be considered disruptive in the regular educational setting. Students are provided with a schedule that is tailored to meet their individual needs. Attention is focused on helping students close academic and behavioral gaps in order for them to return to their local school districts and be successful. Contingency contracting, a level system and a token economy are used to motivate students throughout the day. Parent involvement is a high priority. Parents are contacted via phone and email on a regular basis and also receive a weekly progress report on their child which informs them of their childs behavioral and academic progress.
The Day Treatment program provides a safe, supportive, and structured environment for academic, personal, and social growth by engaging students in practical academic applications, technology and life skills. Students reside at home but receive academic and treatment services at the charter school. The charter school, in partnership with Adelphoi Village, provides Day Treatment students with the support of a caseworker who fosters individual growth daily. Students in our Day Treatment program receive individual and group support to promote academic and behavioral improvements. Each student has a treatment plan that set goals and monitors progress. Day Treatment accepts county and school district referrals.
The Emotional Support program operates on the belief that behavioral and psychiatric disorders may have a significant impact on an adolescents ability to learn and that educational and treatment services should be delivered in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Students who have met the necessary criteria will be admitted into the Emotional Support Program. The program provides students with an inclusionary academic setting and a controlled and therapeutic environment tailored to meet their specific needs. Students reside at home and receive educational and therapeutic services throughout the school day. The charter school, in partnership with Adelphoi Village, provides students with the support of a state licensed therapist who supports the students through individual and group therapy sessions. Included is also family therapy sessions and coordination with other agencies to provide the necessary supports and services.

Ketterer Charter School’s niche is that our student population consist mainly of adjudicated youth from across Pennsylvania who are considered neglected and/or delinquent and students from our local school districts who are having difficulties conforming to a traditional public school setting.

In any environment, no matter how ideal, the education of our youth is a daunting task. The process of educating youth becomes even more difficult when it involves children for whom other issues stand in the way of education – issues such as disruptive behavior, incorrigibility, academic obstacles, or peer pressure.

Ketterer Charter School was the first public charter school in Westmoreland County founded in 1998. The charter school serves as an LEA with the same responsibilities for FAPE as all other Pennsylvania public schools. The charter school was created to address the specific needs of disruptive youth. Ketterer Charter School’s niche is that our student population consist mainly of adjudicated youth from across Pennsylvania who are considered neglected and/or delinquent and students from our local school districts who are having difficulties conforming to a traditional public school setting. Our student population is very unique. On average, daily membership consist of 215 students although the charter school provides educational services to more than 500 student annually. Ketterer Charter School provides FAPE to secure, residential, independent living, day treatment, alternative education and emotional support students. On average, our student population consist of 56% special education and 87% disadvantaged youth.

The educational opportunities available at the charter school are aligned with Pennsylvania Department of Education’s regulations and guidelines. Within the charter school, there is an abundance of educational opportunities available. Youth are engaged in a full academic schedule that is individualized to meet their individual needs. Ketterer Charter School offers a curriculum based on the PA Core and is tailored to meet the individual needs of the youth it serves. During the school day, all students receive a minimum of two full academic periods of mathematics and language arts. Ketterer Charter School receives Title I funds. This allows for all students to have additional support in mathematics and language arts. Understanding that many youth are deficient in credits needed for graduation, we provide maximum opportunity daily. All students enrolled a full year have the potential to earn a minimum of seven academic credits. In addition to the daily academic schedule, students are provided with the opportunity to receive remedial support, credit recovery and career readiness skills after school hours. Students with exceptionalities also receive additional support from four special education coordinators in an inclusive setting.

Behaviorally, students are provided with a variety of behavior support interventions as well. All classrooms contain an appropriately PA certified teacher, group home counselors and as needed administration, guidance counselor, special education coordinators, therapist and student support services personnel. All staff involved with our students have been trained in de-escalation, safe crisis management, contracting, Sanctuary principles, Reality Therapy/Choice Theory and behavior modification strategies. Students take part in a Token Economy to promote positive behavior and academic performance.

Ketterer Charter School is operated by an independent School Board of Trustees. Families pay no tuition for their child to attend. Students enjoy small class sizes and transportation is provided by the students home district if the boundaries are within a 10 mile radius of the charter school buildings.