Educational Programming
RTC offers a wide range of educational opportunities for residential clients as well as community youth at both our Fort Dodge and Kossuth Campuses. Our on-campus school settings are at the core of our educational continuum. The Fort Dodge setting is an extension of the Manson Northwest Webster Community School District and has been in operation since the 2000-01school year. Our Kossuth Campus school opened up for the 2004-05 school year and is an extension of the Algona Community School District. Our classrooms are staffed by certified teachers. All teachers are either certified in special education or in their core content area of instruction. Both educational facilities are fully accredited by the Iowa Department of Education through their corresponding school districts. RTC works closely with the regional Area Education Agencies, to make sure the Special Education needs are met for our students.
Most of our student body is made up of our residential clients but our school also serves youth who are in non-residential day programs (at RTC for school and treatment then home at night) as well non-residential youth who are referred through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) because their needs cannot be met at their home school setting or they need a higher degree of structure and support.
We are proud of our focus on academics and catching kids up on credits. In a number of cases, we have had several full cap and gown graduations for our students. Key to our student's success is our formal structure and focus on our boy's behavioral needs and challenges. Our teachers utilize a cognitive approach, paralleling the clinical model in our treatment programs.
All students are expected to meet our high standards including our rules and uniforms. We believe we can make a positive difference in a student's life, but to do this effectively we must have and maintain high academic and behavioral expectations. We utilize cognitive restructuring /corrective thinking interventions and counseling to teach students coping skills, anger-management skills, and problem solving skills. The cognitive approach helps students examine their thinking, their behaviors, and consequences associated with their actions. Once a student recognizes their irresponsible thinking patterns and replaces them with responsible/positive choices, their chance of success in school and life dramatically climbs.
In addition to our on-campus school settings, we offer a full continuum of other educational opportunities including: public school settings, alternative learning centers, vocational programs, college credit (at local community college), a suspension center and a G.E.D. testing and certification.