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Stella Maris Academy
of Malolos Inc.

A haven which is truly a second home of children
A place promoting quality learning
An inclusive school and a non-discriminating environment

Other Programs

SMA’s Special Education Program (SpEd)

SMA's Special Education Program - Stella Maris Academy of Malolos

Stella Maris Academy of Malolos Inc. is an inclusive school from day one of its foundation in the year 2004. As given in the SALAMANCA Statement under UNESCO, which the Philippines signed along with ninety-one (91) other countries in 1979, the following statements encapsulate the SMA ideals for inclusive education.

The fundamental principle of an inclusive school is that all children should learn together whenever possible, regardless of any differences they may have.

SMA opened its doors to children with varying abilities and conditions, including:

Asperger’s Syndrome
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability (ID)
Global Development Delay (GDD)
Language Delays and Communication Disorders
Learning Disabilities (LD) and Academic Difficulties
Mental Retardation (MR)
Pervasive Development Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

The program makes sure that the above-mentioned special needs children will be afforded access to quality learning utilizing the holistic approach considering their individual and unique learning needs.

SMA's Special Education Program - Stella Maris Academy of Malolos

Outlined below are the SpEd instructional programs offered and implemented by SMA.

Inclusion

All children with disabilities, regardless of the nature and severity of their disability, receive their total education within  the regular education classroom

Integration/ Mainstreaming

Children with special needs are enrolled in a regular class with support services.

Integration/ Mainstreaming

Children with special needs are enrolled in a regular class with support services.

Integration comes in two degrees:

a. Partial Integration– A child with special needs is integrated with regular children in non-academic activities like HELE (Home Economics and Livelihood Education) Physical Education, Arts, School Programs, etc. then gradually integrated in the academic subjects if qualified.

b. Full Integration/ Mainstreaming– A child with special needs sits in a regular class in all academic and non-academic learning areas.

Pull-out

A child enrolled in the regular class reports to a SpEd Teacher for special instructions in Mathematics, Reading and Writing in both languages.

Self-Contained / Special Class

This is a special class for only one type of exceptionality which serves moderate to severe types of disabilities.

Itinerant Teaching

SMA allows a traveling SpEd Teacher to reach out to children with special needs in their homes to provide direct teaching and consultative services.

SpEd Tutorials

Some of the students under the SpEd program are given tutorials to supplement their classes while others have SpEd Tutorials as their main curriculum. Individual or dyad tutorials are planned according to the needs of the child. Tutors coordinate with the team that works with the child – the classroom or small group teacher – to ensure that the tutorials given are relevant.

Those who are included in the classroom and given a modified program are also provided with supplemental tutorials to help them cope with their academic requirements and gain the necessary skills. On some instances, students also get to work on advanced lessons to facilitate participation in the classroom.

Math Remediation

This program aims to develop a student’s skills in one or more of the following components or numeracy: conceptual understanding, fact-recall, computations, math language, and word problem solving.

A Math Remediation Plan is based on a child’s needs, as stated in assessment and progress reports from his/her teachers, doctors, therapists, and other professionals, as well as parent interview results and the student’s work portfolio.

Strategic instruction is provided so that methods are in accord with the student’s needs. The principles of structured, systematic, and multi-sensory instruction serve as the foundation of teaching.

Reading Remediation

This program aims to develop and promote skills in the areas of spelling, word-reading, passage reading, vocabulary, listening and reading comprehension, and oral and written expression.

To ensure that appropriate goals are drafted for a program, a Remedial Plan is based on a child’s needs, as stated in assessment and progress reports from his/her teachers, doctors, therapists, and other professionals, as well as parent interview results and the student’s work portfolio.

A multi-sensory method of instruction is used to develop mechanical skills. Authentic texts are used to develop vocabulary, comprehension, and expression.

Remedial instruction is diagnostic and the student’s work outputs are taken into consideration when evaluating a program, so that succeeding action plans are realistic and achievable.

The instruction aims to equip the student with strategies that will enable him/her to manage at-level materials.

Speech Therapy

SMA is one of the few schools that offer speech and language therapy services. This is provided by a Speech- Language Pathologist (SLP), who is an expert in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication and/ or swallowing disorders.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational Therapy (OT) is a health care profession that is concerned with the person’s ability to perform the daily occupations they are expected to, need to do, or know what to do, including daily occupations such as self-care and productive and leisure activities. An illness, disease, and/or disability may impede the development of these skills; thus, occupational therapy is needed.

The goal of OT in SMA is to improve, restore, maintain, or prevent deterioration of skills in the physical, developmental, sensory, attentional, and/or learning aspects. The school has employed Occupational Therapists who use purposeful activities to facilitate a child’s active participation in self-maintenance, academic and vocational pursuits, and play or leisure activities that occur in school environments.

SMA's Special Education Program - Stella Maris Academy of Malolos

SpED F.A.Q.

What is the SMA SpEd Program?

SMA offers a structured and inclusive Special Education (SpEd) Program tailored to support students with diverse learning needs. Our program includes individualized learning plans, modified curriculums, and therapy support to help students develop academically, socially, and emotionally.

What conditions or special needs does SMA accommodate?

The SpEd Program provides support for students with:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
• Hearing Impairment
• Other developmental conditions requiring specialized learning support

Until what grade level is the SpEd Program offered?

SMA provides SpEd services from preschool to junior high school. Each student’s placement is assessed based on their developmental and academic needs.

Does SMA accept older students or adults for SpEd?

Enrollment is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If your child is over the typical school age, we recommend contacting our SpEd team for an evaluation to determine if we can accommodate their learning needs.

What are the eligibility requirements for enrollment in the SpEd Program?

To enroll, students must provide:
• A developmental or medical diagnosis (if available)
• A psychoeducational assessment (if applicable)
• Previous school records (if transferring)
• A parent interview and evaluation with the SMA SpEd team

How do I enroll my child in the SMA SpEd Program?

Parents can follow these steps:
1. Inquiry & Initial Assessment: Contact SMA for an appointment.
2. Submission of Requirements: Provide necessary documents and assessments.
3. Parent & Student Evaluation: The school’s SpEd team will assess if SMA is a good fit for the child’s needs.
4. Placement Recommendation: The child will be placed in the appropriate learning track (Modified or Individualized Program).
5. Final Enrollment Process: Complete registration and payment procedures.

What is the tuition fee for the SpEd Program?

Tuition fees vary depending on the level of support required. Please contact the SMA Admissions Office for the latest fee structure.

Tuition fees vary depending on the level of support required. Please contact the SMA Admissions Office for the latest fee structure.

• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
• Modified Curriculum (for students in inclusive settings)
• Small group and one-on-one instruction
• Therapy support (Speech, Occupational, and Behavioral Therapy referrals)
• Socialization and life skills training
• Parent collaboration meetings

Can SMA accommodate students coming from abroad?

Yes, we welcome international and returning students. Parents can start the inquiry process online, and placement evaluations can be scheduled upon their arrival in the Philippines.

Who can I contact for more information?

For inquiries, assessments, or enrollment details, please reach out to:

Admissions Office Email: business_office@stellamaris.edu.ph 

Phone Numbers:
Landline
+63 (44) 791-9911
+63 (44) 791-6736
Mobile
+63 (917) 523-9911
+63 (908) 896-2004

Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday
We are here to assist you in planning your child’s educational journey at SMA!

Become a part of our journey.
As the children travel with us,
in the galaxy shining with

multi-intelligent stars 
values-laden Filipino youth
healthy, safe, engaged, challenged learners
and God-loving souls