Application Process
Persons seeking admission to the OPTIONS program should submit the following:
1) A completed application and $75.00 application fee
2) Current transcripts from high school and/or colleges (if applicable)
3) Current IEP and/or 504 Plan (if applicable)
4) Copies of earliest testing
5) Copies of current testing (within the last two calendar years) or additional evaluations that have been administered. Specific testing that is requested is as follows:
WAIS IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Fourth Edition, all subtest
scores)
The Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery III, Cognitive and Achievement, including Supplemental Battery (all summary scores)
Speech & Language Testing (if applicable)
Upon receipt of the above information, the OPTIONS Coordinator will review these forms and records. Should the OPTIONS Coordinator determine that the OPTIONS Program at Brehm could provide an appropriate program, the Director of Admissions will schedule a visit and student interview.
Interviews with administration and staff will be conducted at the time of the visit. Because OPTIONS students are active at internship sites and the community college, interviews are most effective for the prospective student and family are scheduled in advance, to allow for families to meet other OPTIONS students. It is also helpful to schedule visits prior to finals week in the fall and spring semesters. The admissions visit will consist of touring both the instructional and independent living facilities as well as with interviews with OPTIONS staff and Brehm administration.
The OPTIONS Coordinator will make a determination if the OPTIONS Program at Brehm is appropriate to meet the needs of the applicant. This will be based on a review of testing, records, and the student/parent interviews. If it is decided that OPTIONS could meet the educational, employment, emotional, social and independent living needs of the applicant, an offer of admission will be made.
Enrollment will be confirmed by the receipt of a non-refundable deposit of $5,000.00, which will be credited to the current tuition and by the issuance of a Contract for Services.
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OPTIONS currently has 20 boarding students, with the potential to expand. Enrollment may occur across the 1st semester, but it is strongly recommended that students begin participation at the move-in date, which is generally the first week in August. This allows for time to get to know staff and peers and participate in Orientation activities. Students will be considered for enrollment until mid-October.
As a prerequisite to acceptance and enrollment, each prospective student must have a complete psycho-educational evaluation and a primary diagnosis of a specific learning disability and/or A.D.D. After a review of this information, the application, and other information pertinent to assessing the applicant's needs, an on-campus interview will be offered if it appears likely that the OPTIONS Program at Brehm would be an appropriate program.
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Student Profile
People often ask, "What type of student does best at OPTIONS?" Our answer is resoundingly, "The student who wants to be at OPTIONS." While that is true, there are some commonalities among OPTIONS students that might help you decide whether OPTIONS is a good match.
- Some common or typical characteristics of OPTIONS students are:
- Primary diagnosis of a learning disability or ADD/ADHD
- Receptive and/or expressive language difficulties
- Dyslexia or problems with reading
- Dysgraphia or problems with written expression
- Dyscalculia or problems with math
- Social skills issues
- Time management issues
- Non-verbal learning disabilities
- Organizational issues
- Immaturity
- Secondary issues with anxiety and/or depression
- Intellectual skills that range from low average to above average
Tution, Fees and Financial Information
Tuition and boarding for OPTIONS full-time students is $53,600.00 for the 2007-08 school year.
In many cases, tuition and boarding expenses at OPTIONS are tax-deductible as medical expenses. Whether these expenses will be deductible in a particular case will depend upon the facts and circumstances of each individual situation. It is recommended that parents seek advice from their tax consultant.
Services not included in OPTIONS tuition include: Fast ForWord Program*; Weekly allowance; Transportation to and from airports; College tuition; College textbooks; Semester Recreation Fee; Driver's Education
*Students who have particular difficulty with phonetic awareness and decoding may be recommended for this program.
Financial Information
While The OPTIONS Program at Brehm does not endorse particular outside loan programs per se, we are happy to refer families to any of several such programs that have provided information to us. Two well-established loan programs are:
SLM Financial - A Sallie Mae Company
www.slmfinancial.com
Phone: 1-888-2-SALLIE
AchieverLoan, Key Education Resources
www.key.com/educate/achieverloan
Phone: 1-888-KEY-LEND (539-5363)
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Planning a Visit?
- If your family is looking for a high-quality post-secondary education for a student with a complex learning disability, call the OPTIONS Coordinator today at (618) 549-4201 for more information on visiting OPTIONS. For more information on the Carbondale area please click here.
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