Cedar Chapel Special School

Cedar Chapel Special School (CCSS), located in rural Snow Hill, Maryland, serves students from all of Worcester County by preparing students with moderate and severe disabilities between the ages of 3 and 21 to be included in regular schools, to be gainfully employed, and to be self-sufficient at home and in their community. The school climate is a clear reflection of CCSS’s vision, “Students will reach their full potential, successfully experience life’s transitions, and develop a positive sense of self-worth.” We believe that by having high expectations, dreaming beyond boundaries, and working collectively as a team, we can achieve excellence in education by making a difference in our student’s lives.

School Profile
Mission Statement

Cedar Chapel Special School, a unique, alternative learning environment, empowers all students to become responsible life-long learners, productive citizens, and contributing members of society. We will accomplish this through excellence in teaching, partnerships with family and community, and celebration of diversity in a safe and caring environment. “We strive to live our mission and enable our students to reach their full potential by preparing them for the future.”

School Highlights and Awards

CCSS is the only special needs school in Maryland to be accredited by The Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (2003 and 2010).  Following the guidelines of the Maryland State Curriculum, reading, mathematics and science skills are taught based on daily individual instruction and assessed through the Alternate Maryland School Assessment, (Alt-MSA). The staff is very proud of student assessment results as scores continue to be above the state average each year. CCSS also receives recognition in various art entries, Tech Fest County and State Winners, International Student Media Festival Winners (2001), Christmas Float Winners, Special Olympics Gold, Silver and Bronze Winners, Science Fair Winners, Award for Excellence in Education (Community Foundation), Mrs. Allison Lucas, 2009 and 2010 Teacher of the Year, Maryland Center for Character Education School of the Year Award (2007), PBIS Maryland Green Ribbon Recognition Award (2008), PBIS Maryland Silver Ribbon Recognition Award (2009), and PBIS Maryland Gold Ribbon Recognition Award (2010).

Special Programs

CCSS embraces Structured Teaching using the TEACCH principles, Special Olympics, Adapted Aquatics, Adaptive Physical Education, Music, Art, Sensory Integration, Project Greenhouse, and Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS). Students participate in many enriching activities such as Science Fair, Book It, Read-Across America, Christmas Parades, Tech Fest, Fine Arts Festival, music programs, various inclusion opportunities, and vocational training in school and throughout Worcester Community. CCSS has also partnered with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore by initiating a Professional Development School (PDS) relationship in the Fall of 2002.  With a strong unified teaching force as well as a student population rich in diversity, CCSS students and interns have gained valuable learning experiences through the added support.  Student interns leave CCSS with skills in critical software, assistive technology, proactive behavior management, curriculum modifications, Structured Teaching, and many tools for increasing student communication and achievement.

Parent Involvement Opportunities

School Improvement Advisory Committee, Strategic Planning Team, Snow Hill Planning Council, School Fund Raisers, Volunteer Program, and Parent Workshops*

Principal	Mrs. Rae Record
Address	510 Coulbourne Lane Snow Hill, MD 21863
Phone	410-632-5230
Fax	410-632-5239
Website	www.cedarchapel.org
Grades	Ages 3 to 21
School Day	Begins at 8:30 AM; Ends at 3:00 PM
Enrollment	52 students
Staff	12 Teachers, 14 Educational Assistants, 2 Nurses, 1 Secretary, 2 Custodians, 1 Curriculum Resource Teacher, Tech Coach (part-time), Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapist, and Speech Language Pathologists
School Built	1985
Total Size	17,175
Site	24 acres
Teacher to Student Ratio	2:5

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