EXCEL Program: Executive Functioning Skills

At BWL, we are committed to every child who wishes to access our mainstream, traditional, rigorous academic program.

Recognizing that some students benefit from individualized instruction provided by evidence-based instructional programming to build essential reading, math, writing, and executive functioning skills, we have created the EXCEL Program —an innovative program committed to providing students with the most effective interventions and strategic instructional approaches which are also integrated into the overall BWL daily curriculum. 

What is the EXCEL Program?

The EXCEL Program at BWL is an innovative integrated program for students in grades 4–12, designed to provide targeted executive functioning support. This is a comprehensive initiative to develop the students’ executive functioning skills around attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. The program matches each student with a state-licensed educator trained in executive functioning who will work closely with them to cultivate positive habit-building of executive functioning skills and strategies for organization, time management, task initiation, planning and prioritizing, sustained attention, and flexible thinking.

What specialized approach is used within the EXCEL Program?

EXCEL instructors and coaches use evidence-based programs such as Evolved Education EF Integrated Coaching Model, multi-sensory, explicit-instruction techniques for reading, writing and math to deliver personalized strategies to students who require additional skill development. 
 
All BWL teachers are trained in improving and developing the skills of EXCEL students and meet with students’ EXCEL Advisors to integrate the EXCEL curriculum into their instructional programming for all students. 

Key Features of the Program:

• Individual Coaching: Each student will be paired with a dedicated EXCEL teacher who will meet with them individually twice weekly.
• Academic Lab: Through facilitated group sessions, students practice using EF strategies with greater independence with the support of an EXCEL teacher. Academic Lab groups meet up to 3 times per week and can be mixed grades depending on the student’s needs.
• Explicit and Integrated Teaching: During these instructional sessions, the student's teacher will explicitly teach executive functioning strategies utilizing the Evolved Education Integrated Executive Function Coaching Model that targets a specific area of need, such as attention, working memory, or cognitive flexibility. These strategies are taught as students progress through the BWL curriculum.
• Personalized Strategy Document: As each student progresses through the program, they will compile learned strategies in a strategy document to reference for future use.
• Collaborative Approach: The strategies developed and practiced during instructional sessions will be shared with adults and teachers, ensuring a collaborative effort to support growth.
• Habit Formation: Through consistent practice during sessions, the student will gradually integrate these strategies into their routine until they become habitual, promoting long-term success.

How are students assessed before, during, and at the completion of the EXCEL Program? 

All students admitted to EXCEL should apply with a private evaluation or an IEP from their school district. The committee will also review applications without these documents. Once accepted to our program, our staff will assess prospective students using the Mindprint Learning Assessment and the Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales. 

During and at the completion of their participation in the EXCEL Program, students will be assessed using running records and indications of mastery of individualized goals. Written feedback will be provided by the EXCEL Advisor every two weeks. 

Advisors

Mary Miele, M.A.Ed. Permanently Licensed NYS & NYC Special Education Teacher K-12; Creator of Integrated EF Model; College Advisor & Agent with British Council 
Kim Kramer, M.S. Ed, M.S., CCC-SLP, C-SLDS, Permanently Licensed NYS & NYC Special Education Teacher N-21, Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, CERI Certified, Orton-Gillingham Structured Literacy Dyslexia Specialist

How to Apply

Current BWL students:
If you are interested in applying for this program, please fill out the Excel Program Assessment Registration Form.

Prospective students and families:
The first step in applying for the EXCEL Program is to visit the Admissions section of the BWL website. Once the Admissions application is submitted, follow the instructions to apply to the EXCEL Program. All students interested in EXCEL are required to go through our assessment process. Testing dates for the assessment can be chosen on Ravenna. After the assessment, a 30-minute feedback session will be scheduled with a member of the EXCEL Team to review the results. Decisions for the EXCEL Program will be made in accordance with ISAAGNY guidelines and notification will follow decision dates per grade. IEP/IESP and/or Neuropsych evaluation can be shared with the EXCEL Team at excel@gbwl.org.

$25,000