R.I.S.E. Program

The Responsibility Increases Self Esteem (R.I.S.E.) Program is the hallmark of the Maplebrook experience. This Program recognizes the fact that youngsters who experience ongoing difficulty in learning frequently develop a chronic problem of poor self-concept.

Since environmental influences impact the development of self-esteem, a boarding school provides many opportunities to design programs yielding positive results for the student. In the R.I.S.E. Program, students must meet various responsibilities throughout the day. Their progress is recorded on a daily "report card" which is sent to their faculty advisor (mentor) each day.

The next step consists of a series of meetings between the student and his faculty advisor (mentor) to discuss goals and objectives. The mentors, specially trained in ego supportive counseling, meet with each student once per week to review this progress. The student and mentor submit their weekly progress reports to the R.I.S.E. committee for review. The Committee makes recommendations for special awards, commendations, and recognition. In addition, the Committee, based on the student’s progress, assigns each student to an "independence level." The carefully crafted incentive system provides external support for each student’s continued success.

For more than a decade, the R.I.S.E. Program has been in the vanguard of Maplebrook School's efforts to promote a healthy view of self based upon real accomplishments. The success of the Program has far exceeded expectations and has fostered numerous program innovations to support students.