Alleghany Highlands Public Schools

By integrating social-emotional learning and mental health supports with academic and behavioral systems, VTSS ensures that students receive the comprehensive care they need to succeed both in school and in life.

“At the heart of VTSS is the belief that students thrive when they feel they belong,” said Kim Halterman, superintendent of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. “By aligning academic and behavioral supports, we’re able to see and support the whole child — helping educators be proactive instead of reactive.”

VTSS provides a unified framework that connects academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports. This integration ensures that students’ needs across these areas are addressed together, rather than in isolation. Through frequent progress monitoring, educators can make data-informed decisions to adjust interventions quickly, helping to prevent students from falling through the cracks and ensuring timely, targeted support.

The VTSS model uses a tiered approach that meets students where they are:

• Tier 1: Universal support for all students, such as morning meetings that build social-emotional skills and foster a positive school climate.

• Tier 2: Targeted small-group interventions for students who need additional support, such as friendship or grief groups.

• Tier 3: Intensive, individualized support for students with the most significant needs, ensuring that every learner has access to the right help at the right time.
  
  
  

VTSS helps schools cultivate a culture where students are noticed, recognized and valued. Schools use surveys, early warning indicators and other data tools to understand student needs and connect them with appropriate support.

This proactive approach strengthens relationships between students and educators and helps ensure that no student feels unseen or unsupported.

A cornerstone of VTSS is collaboration with families, communities and students themselves. The framework encourages two-way communication with families, shared decision-making and consistent information-sharing among staff to create a unified, caring environment that supports each student’s success.

“Partnership is what makes VTSS work,” added Cindy Fox, AHPS supervisor of customized learning. “When schools, families, and communities come together around the shared goal of supporting every child, the results are powerful.”

In recent years, AHPS has used the VTSS model to increase student attendance at school very successfully.  AHPS advisory committees recently met in part to receive updates on the use of the model.

Every student matters at Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. With academic and behavioral support, plus strong family and community partnerships, the school division is making sure no student is left behind.

Follow Alleghany Highlands Public Schools on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.ahps.k12.va.us to learn more.

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