Galvin Middle School is committed to providing a comprehensive continuum of services to meet the diverse needs of our students. Through both inclusion and sub-separate classes, students receive individualized support while maintaining consistent access to their peers and broader school community. Instruction is grounded in reflective, universally designed, culturally responsive, evidence-based, and differentiated practices.
Our mission is built upon the principle of meaningful inclusion, with programs intentionally designed to provide effective and supportive academic, social, and behavioral experiences for all students.
Note: Courses within the Student Services Department may be supported by educational assistants and/or other student support staff in addition to the assigned certified special education teacher.
Academic Strategies
This course is designed to empower students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with the tools necessary to navigate the middle school curriculum. Focus is placed on developing Executive Functioning skills, including organization, time management, and self-advocacy. Students receive direct instruction through targeted strategies for test preparation, reading comprehension, structured writing, and math skills. This small-group setting allows special educators and educational assistants to provide the intensive scaffolding needed to break down complex assignments and preview/review core concepts. Assessment is based on the application of these strategies to daily academic tasks and generalizing these skills to the general education classroom. Progress is reported at the conclusion of each term through the student’s IEP and specific goal areas.
Sub-Separate English
This course is designed as a small group, self-contained English option for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Students are enrolled through the special education team process. The curriculum focuses on developing both foundational literacy and middle school skills. Instruction focuses on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and the writing process, with emphasis on using evidence to support ideas. Students are supported using a highly scaffolded approach by utilizing graphic organizer, sentence starters, technology, and specialized reading strategies in order to develop essential skills.
Sub-Separate Math
This course is designed as a small group, self-contained Math option for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Students are enrolled through the special education team process. The curriculum focuses on developing mathematical fluency, problem-solving strategies, and conceptual understanding. Instruction aligns with grade-level standards but is delivered at a modified pace to ensure mastery of essential skills. Instruction is delivered and students are supported through the use of manipulatives, modeling, and scaffolding to build students’ mathematical reasoning. The small student-to-staff ratio allows for individualized support in each student’s identified areas of need.
Sub-Separate Social Studies
This course is designed as a small group, self contained Social Studies option for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP’s). Students are enrolled through the special education team process. This course offers an adapted approach to the Middle School Social Studies curriculum. The pace and delivery of instruction are modified to meet individual learning needs. In addition to teacher lead discussions, students demonstrate mastery through interactive mapping, primary source exploration, and projects that connect historical events to the modern world. This setting ensures that students receive the individualized accommodations and specialized instruction necessary to access grade-level concepts at a manageable and meaningful pace.
Sub-Separate Science
This course is designed as a small group, self contained Science option for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Students are enrolled through the special education team process. This course offers an adapted approach to the Middle School Science curriculum. The pace and delivery of instruction are modified to meet individual learning needs. In addition to teacher lead discussions, students often demonstrate mastery through hands-on experiments, projects, and interactive discussions. This setting ensures that students receive the specialized instruction necessary to explore complex grade-level concepts, such as life, physical, and earth science at a manageable and meaningful pace.
Phonics
This course provides intensive, specialized instruction for students who require a structured literacy approach to improve their foundational reading skills. Students are enrolled through the special education team process. The curriculum focuses on phonemic awareness, systematic phonics (decoding), and spelling (encoding). Utilizing evidence-based, multisensory strategies, students improve reading fluency and accuracy.
Life Skills
This course provides comprehensive instruction for students working toward increased independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Lessons and activities focus on skills including, but not limited to, personal hygiene, culinary skills, household management, community and travel safety, time management, money management, and self-advocacy. Students have opportunities to apply their learning through vocational training and community-based instruction. Instruction is highly individualized to address each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, with progress monitored through ongoing observation and data collection. Student enrollment is determined through the special education team process.