BUILT-IN SUPPORT
Support. Built-In.
At most schools, support arrives after a student has already struggled. A pull-out. A referral. A consequence.
At TCS, it's built into our classrooms. Our team doesn't wait for failure. They're there before the frustration peaks, during the challenge, and helps guide the student through it.
Students always have a trusted staff member at their side.
Our Shared Language
Across classrooms, we use shared visual language to reinforce:
- Following directions
- Supporting their peers
- Staying engaged in tasks
- Managing frustration
- Communicating respectfully
- Working cooperatively
Our simple signals allow students and staff to communicate without disruption.
The Token Economy System
We use a structured token economy, a research-backed reward system with deep roots in ADHD behavioral science. This allows us to give students immediate feedback on their progress.
Students earn points throughout the day for demonstrating targeted behaviors such as productivity, cooperation, and self-regulation. These points can be exchanged for privileges or activities.
Support is in Real-Time
Each classroom includes a credentialed teacher and two trained student support team members.
This staffing model allows students to receive support immediately when challenges arise inside the learning environment.
Support may include:
- Prompting and redirection
- Break planning
- Coaching through peer conflict
- Structured reset time
- Individual goal tracking
The goal is always to support regulation within the classroom.
We Shine a Light on Regulation
At TCS, students are taught:
- How to recognize early signs of frustration
- How to ask for a break appropriately
- How to repair after conflict
- How to reflect and try again
"They work closely with families to ensure progress continues beyond the classroom. It is a true partnership."
Erin Tyler, TCS Parent
We're Research-Informed.
Data is used to:
- Identify patterns
- Adjust supports
- Measure progress over time
Your Child's Success is Our Success
Our programs over-arching goal is to help students build:
- Greater self-awareness
- Improved impulse control
- Stronger peer relationships
- Increased independence
- Confidence in their ability to succeed
Our team celebrates our student's success with them.
Over 93% of our graduating students return to traditional education with the tools to self-advocate to success in any environment.
Want to understand how this approach would support your child?
Student Support Frequent Questions
No. TCS serves students whose ADHD, executive functioning challenges, or related needs make traditional school environments difficult.
We are not a fit for students with severe behavioral disorders or clinical treatment needs.
The Craig School uses evidence-based behavioral principles, but we are not an ABA clinic. Our model is school-based, integrated into academics, and focused on skill-building within community.
Difficult days are expected. Staff provide structured support, reflection, and repair. Families are informed when appropriate. The goal is growth, not punishment.
For many students, structured reinforcement is temporary. As skills strengthen, external rewards are gradually reduced and internal motivation increases.
The system is designed to reinforce positive behavior rather than focus on loss. Students may not earn points during certain periods, but the emphasis remains on forward progress.