tions, and learn a bit more about joining the Marburn community. These events help new families meet each other in an intimate setting and allow relationships to begin forming. In July or August, families also have an opportunity to join the rest of their student’s division at a Division Coffee Event held by their respective Division Head. These events are larger but provide another opportunity to connect with other Marburn families. Many find someone who lives in close proximity and some find a carpool buddy through this process. Others find a new friend with which to exchange stories of their journey to Marburn.
COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS
At other schools, many of our families share that teachers only call when there is a problem. At Marburn Academy, we celebrate our students. Our new families are often pleasantly surprised by the number of personal communications they receive from their child’s teacher about the great things their child is doing in class and throughout the hallways of Marburn Academy.
CONFERENCES
At Marburn Academy, we hold 30-minute conferences with families three times per year. We know how important it is to review a student’s progress and path for improvement moving forward. Middle Division and High School students participate in the conference in order to have a voice in problem solving and planning for the future.
MEET THE TEACHER
Marburn holds a Meet the Teacher event in the days leading up to the new school year. This time allows students an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the school footprint, identify the location of their classrooms, and for students and parents to meet teachers for the first time.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
The day before the official first day of school is reserved for New Student Orientation. In this four hour time frame, students get to know the school, meet fellow new students, and interact with their teachers in a more casual and fun environment. Our hope is that students are able to make some initial connections during New Student Orientation so when they arrive on the first day, they recognize a friendly face.
MARBURN ACADEMY PARENT SEMINARS (MAPS) Our MAPS series takes place over the first two weeks of school and is required for all new families. The three sessions delve into the Marburn Experience, Marburn’s behavior management philosophy, and the details of our language and math curriculum.
MARBURN 1
MYTH: MARBURN IS UNAFFORDABLE
45% of our families receive need-based aid from Marburn, and approximately 95% receive funding from the Ohio Department of Education under the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship. Marburn families typically pay approximately 41% of annual tuition costs.
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MYTH: MARBURN SERVES STUDENTS WITH LOW COGNITIVE ABILITIES
Our program is designed for students who simply process information differently than some of their peers. Students admitted to Marburn are required to have a full-scale IQ of average or above or a demonstrated potential for average or above average achievement.
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MYTH: MARBURN USES A WATERED-DOWN CURRICULUM
Marburn Academy provides specially designed instruction, accommodations, and intervention to engage students with grade-level content standards. Our approach enables non-intuitive learners to build conceptual understanding and application of concepts through explicit instruction, direct support of student skills, and problem solving. Our students move on to a variety of post-secondary options.
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MYTHS MYTH: MARBURN STUDENTS DON’T HAVE A TYPICAL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
At Marburn Academy, in addition to developing academic skills, we place emphasis on developing the whole child by offering a wide range of co-curricular opportunities. Below are just a few of the programs available: SPORTS: Basketball • Ultimate Frisbee • Cross Country AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND CLUBS: Robotics • Creative Arts Magazine • Girls on the Run/Let Me Run • Glitter Club • Yoga • Ceramics • Yearbook • Fall Musical (1st through 5th grade) • Spring Musical (6th through 12th grade) COMMUNITY AND ACADEMIC: Dances • Prom • National Honor Society • Key Club
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MYTH: MARBURN SERVES STUDENTS WITH BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
Our program is not designed to serve students with persistent or severe behavior problems stemming from primary neurological, psychological, or emotional challenges.
Marburn Magazine 2020 13
