Academics

Curriculum Overview

In addition to comprehensive language arts, math, science and social studies, each student attends classes in Music, Spanish, Art, Computer Labs, P.E., and Sign Language.

Through hands-on based learning, students tackle a challenging academic curriculum in ways that are engaging, meaningful, adaptable to a variety of learning styles, and fun.

A group of children in mexican costumes standing next to each other.

Preschool

The curriculum is based on the Montessori philosophy which is very "hands on" approach emphasizing independence and self-directed activities. This is used in combination with the Frogstreet curriculum; a literature based program proven to be effective for all children including children with Down syndrome, Autism and other developmental delays.

Private Elementary

Our unique set-up in our Kindergarten through 3rd grade classrooms allow the children to gain their education in a very conductive to learning environment. Following the Texas curriculum, a combination of individual, team, and group work creates a common bond with all levels of students creating well rounded, successful children as they progress through their educational years.

After School

Our After School Program offers a warm environment conducive for homework, winding down and sharing with friends after a day of school. The children participate in fun activities that sharpen their social skills. Tutorials are offered for an additional fee.

Curriculum

DAAP uses a combination between the Montessori philosophy and the Frogstreet literary preschool curriculum. This creates a “hands on” approach emphasizing independence and self-directed activities. The Frogstreet curriculum is equally effective in a traditional preschool setting but has specific components that were created for young children with language delays or disorders, developmental delays, or forms of autism.

Young children learn by doing and interacting with the people and things in their environment. Our unique approach to educating all types of learners begins with the prepared environment and is executed by well trained teachers and curriculum specialists who ensure each child is able to achieve his/her true potential.

Literature and storybooks are used to support theme units in many preschool classrooms. Stories are changed often and many children, including children with receptive and expressive language delays, such as those with autism and Down syndrome, are not always given the opportunity and time necessary that it takes to become familiar with key words and cognitive concepts found within the stories. Familiarity and literary repetition help to support language development in all children. Those with delayed language and or cognitive development will benefit from this approach as it is productive to their style.
Our developmental programs reinforce basic social, listening, independence and motor skills to prepare students for their future classroom environment.

Frogstreet  preschool curriculum uses the story itself as the theme of the unit to promote early literacy. They furnish the teacher with objectives, activities, and assessments necessary to provide all children an educational program which will meet their basic needs in each of the five domains; physical, social, cognitive, communicative, and adaptive, commonly addressed in the preschool classroom.

Physical development includes mastering movement, balance and fine and gross motor skills, according to the PBS website. During early childhood, your child's balance improves. He can walk on a line or small balance beam and balance on one foot. Your child also develops the skill to throw and catch a ball, walk up and down stairs without assistance and do somersaults. At this age your child begins mastering motor skills that allow him to build block towers, draw circles and crosses and use safety scissors.

Social development refers to your child's ability to make and maintain relationships. Your child cooperates with others during early childhood and begins to develop conflict resolution skills. She enjoys attention and may show off, while still showing empathy for others. At this age your child enjoys group games and begins to understand the concept of playing fairly. She can tell the difference between fantasy and reality, but enjoys imaginative play with friends.

Cognitive development includes skills pertaining to learning and thinking. During early childhood your child develops the ability to sort objects and can organize materials by size or color. His attention span increases and he seeks information through questions, such as "how?" and "when?" By the end of early childhood, he can count to 10, knows his colors and can read his name. He knows the difference between fact and fiction, making him capable of understanding the difference between the truth and a lie, according to the Child Development Institute.

Communicative development includes your child's skills to understand the spoken word and express herself verbally. During early childhood your child goes from speaking in short sentences to speaking in sentences of more than five words. Your child, once understandable only to those closest to her, now speaks clearly enough that even strangers understand her words. She talks about experiences, shares personal information and understands positional concepts such as up and down. At this age, it becomes possible to carry on a back-and-forth conversation.

Adaptive skills refer to the skills used for daily living, such as dressing, eating, toileting and washing. During early childhood your child learns to dress and undress himself without assistance, use utensils for eating and can pour some liquid without assistance. Your child also becomes able to use buttons and snaps and can take care of toileting independently.

Camps

Distinct Abilities offers several camps throughout the year to keep our students engaged when they are out of school. Our camps are dedicated to providing a sense of belonging in a full inclusion environment. Students enjoy learning through hands on activities, lessons, and field trips. Accommodations are made for each individual child to make them successful in our environment.

Winter Camp

Winter Camp is held during the Holiday Season except on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, when we are closed. Everyday has a different theme such as The Polar Express, Candyland, and a New Year’s Celebration. Hands-on activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, and experiments are conducted by the students. Children who are 4-years and older can attend Out-of- House Field trips to destinations such as Main Event, Putt-Putt Fun House, Moody Gardens, and various Museums. In-House Field Trips such as Texas Snakes, Robotics, and Crafts are schedule for all ages to enjoy on campus.

Spring Break Camp

Spring Break Camp is held during Spring Break Week, Monday-Friday. A themed lesson plan is created at every level where the child can learn while having fun. This is also a great time of year to tidy up our garden from the cold harsh winter season. Out-of-House Field Trips for children 4 years and older are scheduled to pick strawberries, study wildflowers, and explore nature as it awakens from hibernation.

Summer Camp

Summer Camp is held during summer vacation usually June through mid-August, Monday-Friday, except on the Fourth of July, when we are closed. A calendar is created with a main overall theme for the summer. An example is Creative Campers: Kids who explore, make, and share with friends. Our weekly topics include The Arts, Cultural and STEAM activities as well as Language Arts, Math, Spanish and Sign Language. Students participate in In-House field trip and Out-of-House field trips (4 years-old and older) once a week as well as Cooking Craze, Gardening and Kid Fit Curriculum. Teachers also instruct students on specific social skills to better express themselves in a positive, and productive manner. This helps them become problem solvers among themselves, creating empathy for each other, and respect.