Student Academic Support

Title I is Black River’s academic support program designed to provide additional instruction for qualifying students above and beyond the lessons that the classroom teacher provides. Research strongly supports intervention in early grades by increasing the amount of time students receive direct instruction. Our goal is to help Title I students improve their core academic skills and meet State learning benchmarks using research-based learning tools, so they can continue to learn in the classroom with little or no extra support.

For additional resources and commonly asked questions, visit our Title I Resource Links.

Black River offers several intervention and support options for Middle School and High School students, including elective classes, CAP Flex, and the After School Program.

Elective Classes

Students may choose to enroll in a variety of elective classes designed to provide additional support.

6th Grade: 

Math Workshop

7th & 8th Grade: 

Math Advantage

High School: 

Math & Science Advantage

English Advantage

CAP Flex

This responsive schedule is a program all students grades 6-12 participate in each week. Students may choose between enrichment and academic support classes. Students will choose different classes every week so they may tailor their enrollment to their specific and current needs.

The After School Program

This program is offered by Interventionist Steve Eicher to all High School students. They meet in the Commons in the lower level for homework help after school Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

 

Black River Public School provides Special Education support for students with educational 
disabilities in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. Any child suspected of having a disability 
receives a thorough evaluation by a team of general and special education professionals. 
The team works closely with parents before a decision is made. For details, contact the Director of Special Education,
Sue Martinez at martinezs@brpsk12.org

Click here for more information.

 

 

Supporting Every Student: MTSS at Black River Public School

At Black River Public School, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, not just academically, but socially and emotionally, too. That’s why we use a system called MTSS, or Multi-Tiered System of Supports.

MTSS is a school-wide approach that helps us give students the right support, at the right time. Whether a child needs extra help with reading, support building friendships, or just a different way of learning a new concept, we have a plan to help them thrive.

What Does MTSS Look Like at Black River?

Our MTSS system is built on three layers of support:

• Tier 1 – Support for All Students:
  All students receive high-quality instruction in the classroom, along with positive behavior and social-emotional support. Teachers use a variety of strategies and tools to meet the needs of diverse learners, including small group instruction, frequent feedback, and engaging lessons that help all students grow.
   
• Tier 2 – Targeted Support:
  Some students may need a little more help to stay on track. At Tier 2, we provide small-group or individual support, such as extra reading instruction or social-emotional groups, to help students build specific skills.
   
• Tier 3 – Individualized Support:
  When students need intensive help, teachers, specialists, and families work together to create personalized support plans. These may include one-on-one instruction, counseling, or other strategies tailored to the student’s unique needs.

 

How Do We Know What Students Need?

We regularly check in on all students through classroom assessments and teacher observations. This helps us identify which students are on track and which may need extra support. We use a variety of tools to gather this information and meet as teams to talk through how we can best help each student.

You might hear your child’s teacher mention things like:

• Universal Screening – brief check-ins that help us spot early signs of struggle.
   
• Progress Monitoring – ongoing check-ins to make sure our supports are working.
   
• Intervention Plans – structured lessons or strategies designed to help students meet specific goals.
   

Working Together to Support the Whole Child

MTSS isn’t just about academics. We also help students build social skills, manage emotions, and become confident, responsible learners. Our teachers and support staff focus on the whole child, recognizing that success in school depends on so much more than grades.

We believe in nurturing a growth mindset, where students understand that they can grow through effort and practice. And we know that strong partnerships with families are essential because you know your child best.

Want to Learn More?

If you ever have questions about how your child is doing, or what supports they’re receiving, please reach out to your child’s teacher or a member of our administrative team. We are here to help, and we value your partnership in your child’s success.

Together, we can ensure that every Black River student gets the support they need to reach their full potential in school and in life.