Here at Rapid City Area Schools our school psychologists provide direct support and intervention to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals to improve support strategies; work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies; and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services.

School Psychologists help schools successfully:

Improve Academic Achievement

• Promote student motivation and engagement

• Conduct psychological and academic assessments

• Individualize instruction and interventions

• Manage student and classroom behaviors

• Monitor student progress

• Collect and interpret student and classroom data

• Reduce inappropriate referrals to special education

Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health

• Improve students communication and social skills

• Assess student emotional and behavior needs

• Provide individual and group counseling

• Promote problem solving, anger management, and conflict resolution

• Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience

• Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving

• Make referrals to and coordinate services with community based providers

Support Diverse Learners

• Assess Divers learning needs

• Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds

• Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities

• Modify and adapt curricula and instruction

• Adjust classroom facilities and routines to improve student engagement and learning

• Monitor and effectively communicate with parents about student progress

Create Safe, Positive School Atmosphere

• Prevent bullying and other forms of violence

• Support social-emotional learning

• Assess school climate and improve school connectedness

• Implement and promote positive discipline and restorative justice

• Implement school=wide positive behavioral supports

• Identify at-risk students and school vulnerabilities

• Provide crisis prevention services

Strengthen Family-School Partnerships

• Help families understand their children’s learning and mental health needs

• Assist in navigating special education processes

• Connect families with community service providers when necessary

• Help effectively engage families with teachers and other school staff

• Enhance staff understanding of and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds

• Help students transition between school and community learning environments, such as residential treatment or juvenile justice programs

Improve School-Wide Assessment and Accountability

• Monitor individual student progress in academics and behavior

• Generate and interpret useful student and school outcome data

• Collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes

• Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels