Chapter 766 approved Day School

Overview

Kennedy-Donovan Center School is a Chapter 766-approved private day school. We provide the highest quality special education services to students, from 3 to 22 years of age, who have developmental disabilities, physical challenges, medically-fragile conditions, and/or behavioral disorders. To ensure functional learning and generalization of skills, each student's individualized educational goals are integrated into daily routines. Kennedy-Donovan Center School serves students from throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

Services

The Kennedy-Donovan Center School curriculum, which is aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, emphasizes learning as an interactive process. Certified special education teachers and therapists plan each student's individual program to match their developing abilities, while encouraging each to reach his/her maximum potential. Individual and small group instruction utilizes a variety of strategies, materials, activities and experiences to challenge and motivate the students to develop their cognitive, motor, communication, social, emotional, vocational and self-help skills. The classrooms average 6 to 9 students with a staff/student ratio of approximately 1 to 2. Students are placed according to their age and curriculum needs.

Kennedy-Donovan Center School’s gives our students occasions to interact with students from local elementary and secondary schools through a variety of social and recreational opportunities. As part of the school’s curriculum, students utilize many social and recreational resources within the community, providing realistic community interactions and educational opportunities. An extended day program is available for educational, social, and recreational activities. Home visits are offered to assist the student’s family in carrying over educational goals, assistive technology, and behavioral techniques at home and in the community.

Assistive Technology

In addition to the educational and therapy programs, Kennedy-Donovan Center School offers a wide range of adaptive equipment, including computers, specialized software and switch activation. Training is provided to students in the use of a variety of augmentative communication systems and motorized wheelchairs.

Days & Hours of Operation

Kennedy-Donovan Center School's educational program is offered 240 days per year, with school in session from 8:45 AM to 2:45 PM. The after-school program operates from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM.

Staff

Combining developmental, behavioral and functional teaching methods, an integrated team approach to education is utilized. Members of the team include a special needs teacher, teaching assistants, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, social worker, and registered and licensed practical nurses. A behavioral specialist is available to those classrooms with a strong emphasis on behavioral learning. Kennedy-Donovan Center School staff also work closely with vision, music, adaptive equipment and mobility specialists to ensure that the complex needs of our students are fully addressed.

Facility

Kennedy-Donovan Center School is housed in a 22,000 square foot accessible building designed to incorporate the needs of our students. In addition to bright and spacious classrooms, the school offers individual therapy rooms, a large, well-equipped physical therapy gym, a fully accessible kitchen, and computer lab. The school also offers a gross motor room, an enclosed, accessible playground and a sensory development room. The school is strategically located in New Bedford to allow for full inclusion in community opportunities.

Funding

Tuition for students attending the school is provided by the local education agencies.

Referral Process

Students, 3 to 22 years of age, requiring intensive multi-disciplinary services should be referred to the Program Director to arrange for an eligibility evaluation. Eligible students must be referred by the local education agency (LEA) serving their town of residence.

Certification

Kennedy-Donovan Center School is certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE).

Memberships

Kennedy-Donovan Center School is a member of MAAPS, Massachusetts Association for Approved Public Schools.

Kennedy-Donovan Center School
19 Hawthorn Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-992-4756
Fax 508 999-5367
Email: school@kdc.org