The Forest Ridge School gives students the opportunity to continue their education in a safe and secure environment. A continuum of academic services is available to students, including special education to address learning differences and disabilities, high school equivalency diploma (HiSED) preparation, and transitional living courses.
Tests are administered to all students as they enter Forest Ridge School to determine the reading, math, and spelling grade levels they are currently functioning at and re-assessment is conducted prior to their planned discharge to assess grade level progress during the time they were enrolled.
Forest Ridge School operates 12 months a year and students may earn 4.5 semester credits during the nine-week summer session.
The Forest Ridge Education Director is in communication with each student’s past school districts to obtain credit information and conduct a credit audit to identify the student’s remaining graduation requirements. Forest Ridge School is affiliated Estherville Lincoln-Central School District and has the same graduation requirements. Licensed teachers instruct all classes, including math, English, science, social studies, physical education, and a range of elective courses.
Special Education certified teachers provide instruction and monitoring of all students with an Individualized Education plan and Second Chance reading instruction gives students with reading difficulties the opportunity to learn new ways to understand vocabulary and reading comprehension.
With the teamwork and agreement of the student, referring worker, and family, the student may work toward earning their HiSED. This option will generally be pursued only when a student will not achieve a high school diploma otherwise. All students are expected to attend school and work on their education.
Students who enter Forest Ridge with their high school diploma or HiSED, or who receive it during their stay, may be able to take college classes on our campus through distance learning. The distance learning approaches utilized in the past have depended on availability and facilitation needs, but have included internet courses and correspondence courses. Forest Ridge education staff assist in the application, enrollment, and monitoring process.
All students, regardless of their educational level and needs, attend school and are expected to complete assigned work. The daily school schedule may be adapted to include World of Work for some students, but all students participate in school during the scheduled school day.
Food and Nutrition Program Nondiscrimination Statement:
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html , and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement – Spanish Translation
Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement
It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov.