The Rebranding and Rebirth of a School and its Learning Diversified Students

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Mar 09, 2018, 10:00 ET

LA VERNE, Calif., March 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Haynes Family of Programs has rebranded its K-12th grade School for Emotional Disturbance and Learning Disabilities to Renaissance Community Prep School for Behavior and Learning Diversity (RC Prep). The updated program needed its own identity not only to distinguish it from the original LeRoy's Boys home image, but to give students more of a sense of pride in their school. By having a mascot, colors, and new name, Renaissance Community Prep simulates that of a traditional public school, so kids get a sense of being just like their public-school peers. "I'm excited for our school and the students we serve. The new unifying logo builds community, purpose and accomplishment among our students," said, Dan Maydeck, President and CEO.

The name Renaissance was chosen because it better represents the exciting new program and its sense of rebirth, power and strength that can be generalized by both students and staff. "The school is a representation of its name. Each day is a new beginning, another opportunity to demonstrate mastery over behavioral challenges and ultimately experience a resurgence of life and possibilities," explained C.C. Schumm, Renaissance Community Prep Director of Education.

A wolf was chosen for the mascot as wolves represent matters of personal power, balance, and self-control. Likewise, integration of the color green reinforces the ideas of renewal, rebirth, and self-control. Green also has healing power and is understood to be the most relaxing color for the human eye and helps alleviate anxiety and nervousness. Even the fonts used were chosen specifically to reinforce strength and power. Overall the rebranding has given the students and staff a sense of belonging to a school community and has helped build school spirit which in turn produces better classroom results.

"I look forward to coming to work each day. Working collaboratively with great people from the top on down for one common purpose has been a highly rewarding experience," shared Rafael Deloera, Renaissance Community Prep School Dean.

Renaissance Community Prep operates in accordance with the Boys Town Model which breaks down social skills into steps. The Boys Town Education Model® is a school-based intervention strategy that focuses on managing behavior, building relationships, and teaching social skills. It emphasizes preventive and proactive practices rather than reactive responses to deal with student behavior.

Renaissance classrooms are small with low student-staff ratios allowing more individual time with the teaching staff for students with learning challenges along with positive behavior plans for students experiencing behavioral challenges. Each class adheres to Common Core Curriculum adopted by the State of California. Modifications are made by the teaching staff to meet the needs of the individual student.

Our incentive-based program includes:

A beneficial environment where students can develop academic and social skills
Transition and life skills training
Weekly counseling with licensed therapists
Fast ForWord Reading Program
Occupational Therapy
Speech and Language Therapy
High School program that simulates public high school
Graduating students are connected to Department of Rehabilitation
Assistance with college and financial aid applications

The curriculum is highly individualized, hands-on, and is designed to address the specific needs of each student. Based on their unique learning potential, students are placed on a traditional diploma track, a GED (General Educational Development) track, or in a community-based learning program with a Certificate of Completion.

The goal of Renaissance is to provide a positive environment where students can develop academic, social, and vocational skills that will enable them to transition independently and successfully into the mainstream of school, work, and/or independent living.

Renaissance Community Prep has two locations: