Tucker Maxon School

Tucker Maxon's elementary school for kindergarten to 5th graders integrates deaf and hearing children into mainstream classrooms. Our model is unique in Oregon and is considered leading edge nationally. For children who are deaf, we focus on Listening and Spoken Language rather than sign language. Children who are deaf receive additional services from licensed teachers of the deaf and our on-site audiologist and speech language pathologists. Each classroom offers a personalized integrated curriculum based on the Common Core State Standards and the social and emotional learning curriculum Caring Discipline. Every day, math, reading, writing and spelling are woven into all areas of learning with an emphasis on academic excellence. Science and social studies are integrated in rich student-driven projects that are completed throughout the year. With an average 1:8 educator to student ratio, we focus on speech development by creating a language-rich environment with open ended discussions and critical thinking. Our elementary teachers are dedicated, creative, caring and energetic. They are also highly qualified with Master's degrees in Education and state certifications. All our students take art and music classes each week and PE daily. We focus on communication, literacy, sustainability, and emotional intelligence.

Tucker Maxon's Early Intervention (EI) program for deaf children ages 1 month to 3 years is a family's first step in a journey from diagnosis to mainstreaming. Babies who are identified as deaf at birth begin wearing hearing aids while still in the crib. Babies with severe to profound hearing losses often receive cochlear implants when they are ten to twelve months old. We teach toddlers and their families to use their new technology and begin to learn language. We utilize an auditory-verbal approach to teaching spoken language. This means children learn to listen and talk, the same way hearing children do. At Tucker Maxon School, our collaborative, family-centered approach to EI develops a child's listening and spoken language abilities while supporting the family in providing a language-rich environment at home. Tucker Maxon offers a wide range of services for infants and toddlers and their families including audiology and Language ENvironment Analysis Systems (LENAs). Our Early Intervention educators meet weekly with local families at home and at school, and in play groups. We provide tele-intervention via video conference for out-of-area families. In EI, we provide the child with early and specific education in auditory learning and spoken language to set the stage for reading and academic achievement later in school.

Tucker Maxon's preschool for 3 to 5 year-olds follows an age-appropriate, child-directed educational program in which children learn through play and stimulating hands-on activities. Preschool also utilizes Caring Discipline, a social and emotional learning curriculum. This is a school not day care. Classrooms, daily schedules, activities, materials and learning strategies all reflect an in-depth knowledge of child development. With an average 1:8 educator to student ratio, we focus on speech development by creating a language-rich environment. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive additional services from licensed teachers of the deaf and our on-site audiologist and speech language pathologist. Our Preschool offers highly trained teachers with Master's degrees in Education. Music and art are integrated throughout the school curriculum. Physical education is in a full-sized gymnasium complete with a rock climbing wall. Our campus features a treehouse classroom and a large playground where children can explore nature in our garden and greenhouse and help care for our goats. Parents who choose Tucker Maxon for preschool are preparing their children for kindergarten and laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning.