Students are generally grouped by their level of development, needs and ability. Some of the children live year-round at the school, returning to their families for holiday visits. Others live at the school during the week, returning home every weekend and over the holidays. A third group, who live within commuting distance, go home every afternoon. But a student's family remains important and involved whether the child goes home every day or just on special holidays.
Parents are always welcome.
We have two apartments on the campus for them to use on overnight visits. Wheeler said special family events at the school include a prom, graduation and picnic days. All students at the school are given opportunities every week to interact with non-disabled children in a wide range of recreational and community activities. The school is blessed with a very low rate of staff turnover, according to Wheeler, and the students who continue to do well in their class often are allowed to remain and progress with that group for years. We try to give them a lot of stability and opportunity for bonding.