Leadership interview with Terry Stevenson, Applewood Academy for Progressive Learning

The integration of mental health and academic components sets us apart, as we have both teachers for academics and clinicians for mental health, melding these essential elements together. Our clinicians direct therapy, helping to plan the child's day, determine their nutritional intake, and oversee the school's functioning. Our multidisciplinary team approach, including special education teachers and mental health specialized educational assistants (EAs), works together to drive each student's individualized plan. 

What I enjoy is helping students overcome difficulties and succeed. I am working closely with our clinical team and teachers, who are all clinically oriented, to improve our students' lives.

We choose staff members who possess patience, compassion, and respect, with a focus on creating a compassionate and forgiving environment. These qualities are essential for effectively supporting students with diverse needs and challenges, embodying the values of compassion, respect, forgiveness, responsibility, and cooperativeness.

​​Parents appreciate our frequent communication, facilitated through various means including ParentSquare, and our small student-to-teacher ratio. We encourage parent participation and provide them with updates on their children's progress and the school's efforts to address their academic and mental health needs.

Being in Belleville, a quiet, small city with a lot of country around, enhances the quality of our work environment. I've been with Applewood Academy since its inception, about 17 to 18 years, witnessing its growth from a small office to a school that serves a much larger community.

Our student body is diverse, coming from across Canada and around the world, with only a few local day students. Children from Grade 1 through to Grade 12 attend our school, with durations ranging from one to several years, aimed at stabilization and eventual reintegration into regular schools and their families.

The daily structure supports students' overall development, including their mental health, academic skills, and socialization. A typical day at Applewood Academy involves a structured schedule that includes breakfast, individualized academic programs, life skills training, physical activities, and evening routines.

Our data-driven approach allows us to tailor psychological treatments, behavioral management techniques, and academic strategies to meet each student's unique needs. We use psychological assessments, such as the WISC for intellectual assessments, and track data including BMI, dietary, and behavioral issues to individualize each child's treatment and academic curriculum.

We offer a range of physical activities, including hockey, basketball, and access to local recreational facilities, emphasizing the importance of physical health alongside psychological and academic well-being. Plans to enhance physical activities within the school are underway, aiming to incorporate more equipment and improve the daily physical exercise program.

Identifying a child's specific needs is crucial for finding the right educational setting. This involves understanding their academic, psychological, and social requirements, ensuring that the chosen school can provide the necessary support, including access to clinicians and staff skilled in mental health issues.