According to representatives of Linville Hill Christian School, SHINE is not an acronym. In fact, the program, which provides love and support to Linville's students with unique needs in kindergarten through grade 12, is based on Isaiah 60:1, which reads, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."

SHINE was born in 2018, according to Matt Buckwalter, head of school. Prior to that time, Linville had a small program serving half a dozen children with unique needs, but a board member pointed out that a Christian school should be doing more. Buckwalter credits Karen Bailey, a teacher at the school at that time, with creating the foundation of the program around the verse from Isaiah. "That's so powerful for students who aren't finding traction the way that most kids do," explained Buckwalter.

Now, SHINE serves 15 students at the Linville Hill Elementary School, where Cindy Mylin is the lead teacher overseeing academics and Danielle Ladley is the lead for behavioral support and guidance. At the Upper School, April Henshaw is the SHINE lead and middle school counselor, serving nearly 30 students. Most SHINE students have Individual Education Plans (IEP), provided by their home school districts.

SHINE elementary school students spend much of their day with their peers. "They come to us for reading, spelling, writing, grammar, and math," explained Mylin, who added that if a child has a need for support in other classes, that can be provided by a full-time or part-time SHINE teacher.

Each student's IEP is used to create a SHINE plan to help him or her reach specific goals. A meeting is held with parents to show them how SHINE can help meet their child's educational and behavioral needs. "What is unique to Linville is that we want to partner with families and make sure our SHINE teams are working in one accord," said Henshaw.

Mylin agreed, stating, "We are very concerned about academics, but we hold equally their hearts and their spirits."

Throughout the day, Ladley works with students dealing with unique behavioral situations. "I pull them for social skills groups, and they take breaks as needed," she stated. "I provide extra support."

At the Upper School, students are integrated with their classmates whenever possible, with the SHINE teachers ready to provide support. "We modify assignments and test to their needs," explained Henshaw, who pointed out that one 10th-grade student is forgoing an elective while she receives extra tutoring in reading and writing. Henshaw is also teaching a class in anatomy and physiology to students in the SHINE classroom. Middle school science is also taught in the SHINE room, and one-to-one math instruction is available for students who need it.

"Instead of stretching a student too far and thin, we work to strengthen the foundation," explained Buckwalter.

Upper School SHINE students also take part in Linville Hill's internship program, which partners with area businesses and organizations to provide students with hands-on, real-world experiences. Henshaw's daughter Mylee, a Linville Hill ninth-grader who has autism, currently works with fifth-graders at the elementary school, where she completes tasks such as grading papers. "(Mylee) will be leading devotions for the fifth-graders next week," shared Henshaw, who noted that Mylee is thriving in the intimate Linville Hill environment. Other students are working in the meat department at the Strasburg Market Place and the Agape Cafe & Grill.

Maddie, a 10th-grade student, is working at a Christiana veterinary hospital, where she assists with puppy checks and surgical deliveries for pregnant dogs. "I like being able to work with animals and seeing how much (effort) the vets put in to keep the animals healthy," said Maddie.

"What the SHINE program does is help a child find her voice in an atmosphere where she can grow in social confidence and abilities," said Buckwalter.

Ladley noted that SHINE children are regularly held up in prayer by staff and faculty members. "To be able to pray over a student who is struggling," she said, "I think it's essential for growth in the Lord."

Linville Hill Elementary School is located at 295 S. Kinzer Road, Paradise, and the Upper School is located at 835 Houston Run Drive, Gap. More information about Linville Hill and the programs it offers may be found at http://www.linvillehill.org.