Supporting Every Student &Empowering Every Family

At Merrick Academy Charter School, we are committed to supporting the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students. Through a holistic approach, we recognize the importance of community, with families playing a crucial role in our students’ success. We provide a range of resources to both students and their families, including:

• Clinical Services
• Special Populations Services
• Student Enrichment & Experiential Learning
• Community Partnerships & Family Engagement

Student Support at MACS

The Student Support Services Department at Merrick Academy Charter School is integral to our mission of nurturing the academic success and personal growth of each student. Our department’s primary goal is to provide tailored support that helps students thrive both academically and personally. In line with MACS’s commitment to developing educated, compassionate, and engaged individuals, our department works closely with the Academic Departments and extracurricular programs.

Our commitment to holistic education drives us to adopt a dynamic, tiered support approach that addresses both academic and behavioral needs. Our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework is designed to close learning and social-emotional gaps, support successful transitions for students with IEPs, and promote positive discipline practices. MTSS is an evidence-based approach that allows us to make informed instructional decisions tailored to the diverse needs of our student body, grounded in performance data and individual learning rates. This system reflects our dedication to fostering an inclusive environment that nurtures both the academic and social-emotional development of all students, in alignment with the 10 IB learner profile attributes.

Student Support Team

Our Student Support team is dedicated to ensuring the well-being, development, and enrichment of all students, providing comprehensive support that extends beyond the classroom. Our team is composed of the following:

Clinical Services

At Merrick Academy, School Counselors and Social Workers are essential partners in each student’s educational journey. Guided by New York State (NYS) standards, their roles encompass a wide range of responsibilities designed to support the holistic development of our scholars.

In addition to the mandated counseling services, we offer At Hope Counseling, a specialized support program designed to assist students who may not be at immediate risk but could benefit from additional guidance and emotional support. This program is available in lieu of traditional at-risk counseling. Families are encouraged to reach out for more information or to inquire about enrolling their scholar in this service.

Together, our Counselors and Social Workers help create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment, ensuring that every student’s academic, social, and emotional well-being is supported throughout their journey at Merrick Academy.

Family Engagement

At Merrick Academy, our guiding theme is “Families First.” We recognize our families as essential stakeholders and valued members of our school community. To strengthen family engagement and foster meaningful connections, we offer monthly workshops and family-centered events, including movie nights, game nights, special education (SPED) workshops, curriculum technology workshops, and other opportunities for families to connect, learn, and grow together. Families also receive monthly bulletins featuring important school updates, upcoming events, and information about resources and opportunities available within their local community.

Additionally, the Merrick Family Association (MFA), our school’s version of a PTA, provides families with additional opportunities to engage in and contribute to the school community. The MFA plays an important role in strengthening the partnership between families, staff, and the school while creating opportunities for parent leadership and involvement.

Community Partnerships

Located in the heart of Laurelton, Merrick Academy is committed to fostering global citizenship—an important value that we actively instill in our students. We continually seek opportunities to partner with local community organizations and businesses to bring meaningful programming and experiences to our students, as well as to host events that engage and support the broader community. Please reach out to our Community & Family Engagement Coordinator to inquire.