This blog was written by Deidre McManama, Director of In-District Placement Services

An Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (AEDY) Program is a program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to provide a temporary placement for disruptive students in grades 6 through 12. Students placed in an AEDY Program continue to make academic progress towards graduation and work to remedy disruptive behavior through counseling and other behavioral interventions. AEDY placements are used only as a last resort, after all other behavioral interventions have been exhausted. Students who are expelled from school are also eligible for AEDY Placement at River Rock Academy. Our campus teams work tirelessly to provide an appropriate environment where students can thrive and take the time to master the needed skills to become successful in the general education setting once again.

Our success at River Rock Academy is achieved through high- quality SEL Programming, with daily Social Skills Instruction in the classroom. Combined with individual counseling, these strategies have proven to be successful in helping students overcome behavioral challenges and return to their school district setting. Some of our strategies for students are listed below.

• Individual and Group Counseling
• Drug, Alcohol, and Nicotine Counseling Groups
• Anger Replacement/Management Groups
• Mentoring Programs
• Community Service
• Equine Therapy
• Check in-Check Out Mentoring
• Instruction for Career and Post Graduation Planning
• Mindfulness Strategies

At River Rock Academy, we believe every student deserves a chance to reset, refocus, and reach their full potential. Through structured support, consistent counseling, and meaningful interventions, our AEDY Program helps students develop the tools they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. We remain committed to providing a safe, supportive environment where growth is possible and success is within reach.