Clinical Day School

Small Class Size. Big Success.

Our Clinical Day School is affiliated with Manchester Memorial Hospital’s Behavioral Health Department to provide both students and their family’s access to any needed outpatient services including psychiatric services, medication management, partial hospitalization and intensive out-patient services as well as individual and family therapy services.

Manchester Clinical Day School’s goal is to create an engaging academic environment for middle and high school students where they can discover their strengths. We are an Approved Private Special Education Program (APSEP) that is credentialed by the Connecticut State Department of Education. Our curriculum is aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Classroom instruction is driven by students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and is flexible in order to meet the needs of complex learners with differing capabilities and learning styles.

Using a trauma-informed approach, our teachers and staff meet students where they are, both academically and social-emotionally. Teachers then work to build trusting relationships enabling students to feel safe. Small teacher to student ratios (1:6) and student-centered instruction fosters intellectual curiosity leading to academic momentum. Students benefit from our small, supportive academic environment where they build confidence and practice new skills before reintegrating with their public school.

Our Clinical Day School is affiliated with Manchester Memorial Hospital’s Behavioral Health Department to provide both students and their family’s access to any needed outpatient services including psychiatric services, medication management, partial hospitalization and intensive out-patient services as well as individual and family therapy services.

The Clinical Day School provides:

• Individual and small group instruction by dedicated, certified special education teachers
• Low student to teacher ratio (6:1)
• Individual and group therapy provided by experienced school social workers
• Home visits for disengaged, school-avoidant students
• Technology is integrated into all classes through the use of Smart Boards, school-issued Chromebooks, and Classter, the school’s learning management platform
• Speech and occupational therapy services
• Community-based transitional programming and work-study opportunities for high school and post-high school students
• Full school-based psychiatric evaluation (separate fee)
• A continuum of outpatient mental health services through Manchester Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Department

Many of our students have had difficulties in one or more of the following areas:

• Mood disorders including depression and anxiety
• School refusal
• Complex trauma
• ADHD
• Disruptive behaviors
• Psychotic disorders
• Multiple hospitalizations and/or residential treatment history

Clinical Program and Behavior Intervention

Individual and group therapy is provided by the Clinical Day School’s social workers who have extensive experience working with special populations. Our clinicians use trauma-informed and cognitive-behavioral approaches to help students develop self-regulation skills and accomplish their individual, school-based treatment goals.

School staff work together with our students to promote a respectful, responsible, safe, and kind learning environment that is accepting of differences. Social-emotional skill development is always at the forefront. The school’s intervention system utilizes both Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) and Restorative Practices. Coping skill development and practice are integrated into the classroom and everyday school life.

Life Skills and Transitional Programming

Students aged 15 and older have the opportunity to participate in our paid Cooperative Work Experience program. Students are matched with various departments within the hospital. Most eligible students work three to four hours per week. All students earn a stipend in addition to gaining job and employability skills.
Transition and Life Skills classes also help prepare students for post-secondary success. Topics include exploring careers, post-secondary educational requirements, consumer skills and independent living skills.

Credit Recovery

This flexible model of school is an option for some. Students work at their own pace to make up missing credits as quickly as possible. This requires motivation on the part of the student and the ability to work with a degree of independence. This model is typically used for older high school students who still need to earn several credits in order to graduate.

Extended School Year (Summer School Program)

Manchester Clinical Day School offers a six-week, full-day summer school program that provides individualized academic programming as well as school social work services. Students have the opportunity to strengthen academic skills, catch up with missed coursework, and participate in a paid vocation experience within the hospital.

School-Refusal Program

We are expanding the services we provide to school-refusal and disengaged students and their families. This program has:

• A supportive, small school environment where students build their social-emotional skills and the confidence to take appropriate risks
• A teacher and school social worker home-visits with strong psycho-educational component
• A comprehensive student and family assessment with individualized educational and clinical plan–Flexible scheduling and academic expectations based on the student’s best mode of learning
• Gradual exposure to the full school environment
• Individual therapy, group therapy, and parental coaching provided by clinically-licensed staff
• Credit recovery available based on student’s level of motivation
• Experienced, compassionate teachers and small class size (one teacher to six students)
• Family therapy and medication-management partnership with Manchester Hospital’s Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health providers