How much will it cost for my child to attend Wright School?
Wright School is a state-operated mental health treatment program for children with behavioral and emotional problems. There is no cost for education since children are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. There is also currently no cost for the treatment part of the program. We do ask parents to send $3.00 per week spending money for the child since each group plans a weekly off-campus outing to activities such as roller-skating, hiking, miniature golf, or a trip to the mall.
Who stays with the children overnight while they sleep?
Each of the three units has one Teacher/Counselor Assistant who is awake all night. This person monitors all of the children every fifteen minutes to make sure that each child is sleeping soundly. There is also a Lead Overnight Assistant who supervises the units and staff and is responsible for the safety and security of everyone in the building between the hours of 9:30 PM and 7:00 AM.
Can students receive phone calls and visits during the week?
Students can receive visits and phone calls during the week. Before the child is admitted to Wright School, his or her legally responsible adult will provide Wright School with a list of people approved to contact the child by phone or in person during the week. Visits to campus should ideally be arranged ahead of time with the Liaison Teacher/Counselor to avoid any scheduling conflicts. The best times to call children are generally between the hours of 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM although your child's Liaison Teacher/Counselor or Evening Teacher/Counselor may suggest a more suitable time for phone calls based on that group's schedule.
My family has a vacation scheduled for a time when Wright School is in session. Can my child go?
You will be provided with Wright School's calendar before your child comes to Wright School. We have several breaks during the year in addition to teacher work days and in-service days. We encourage families to use Wright School closings to plan family trips and outings. In the event that a child must miss time from school, please notify your Liaison Teacher/Counselor as far ahead of time as possible.
Is Wright School closed during the summer?
No. Wright School is a year-round program. We observe most state holidays and have teacher in-service and workdays. We are also closed for two weeks around Christmas, for a week in April and for a week at the end of August. You will receive a calendar noting all of these days so that you can plan childcare arrangements during school closings.
When should my child be at school on Monday and leave on Friday?
Students arrive at Wright School after 8:30 AM on Monday morning. We recognize that this can be difficult as some families must travel some distance to Durham, but we do recommend that students arrive as close to 8:30 as possible. Children are picked up on Friday between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
Is transportation available?
Families are responsible for arranging transportation to Wright School. Some parents are able to arrange their weekly schedules such that they are available to provide transportation. Other families need to call on extended family, friends, church members or other sources of support to help them with transportation.
My child is on medication and sees a psychiatrist. What psychiatric services are available to students?
Wright School has a consulting psychiatrist who visits the school weekly. The doctor reviews past medical records and conducts a Mental Status Exam on every child during the student's first two weeks. Some families prefer that Wright School's psychiatrist become their child's prescribing psychiatrist during treatment since the doctor meets with the child's treatment team weekly to discuss each child's progress in the program. Some families prefer that their local community psychiatrist continue to follow the child during treatment at Wright School. When a child is taking medication, Wright School's psychiatrist interviews the child at regular intervals during the child's stay.
My child sees a therapist weekly. Can this continue during treatment?
Yes. It is ideal if a student's therapy can be scheduled early Monday morning or late Friday afternoons. However, therapy appointments outside of school hours can be kept when transportation can be arranged by the family. Some therapists prefer to see the child at Wright School. Any of these arrangements should be made through the Liaison Teacher/Counselor.
What is Wright School's educational curriculum?
Wright School's curriculum is aligned with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Each student undergoes a thorough assessment process during the two weeks after admission. Achievement and diagnostic testing is completed to determine each individual's academic strengths and areas in need of development. From this information, an Individualized Education Plan is developed. Wright School administers the statewide testing mandated by the Department of Public Instruction.