Educational
Mount Saint John School is an Approved Private Special Education Facility, accredited by the Connecticut State Education Department for young men ages 13 – 18. Our school offers classes on the middle school and high school level for students requiring regular and special education instruction. We serve residential and day students. All students receive instruction in academic, vocational, life skills, physical education and social skills areas.
What MSJ School offers
Small class instruction
- Certified teacher and assistant in every classroom/vocational area
- Individualized instruction, assistance and motivation plans
- Monitored school attendance
Assessments
- Academic, life skills and vocational assessments
- Treatment team goals evaluated and updated monthly
- Report card and IEP updates (if applicable) quarterly
Vocational skills
- Ability to earn certification in Safe Serve (Culinary) and Facilities Maintenance (Building Trades)
- Life skills through work apprenticeships and earning vocational dollars
- Additional credits and skills are offered through the after school program or extended school year
Extended School Year
Mount Saint John School provides extended school year programs for students needing supervision and instruction during the summer time and credit recovery in areas of need or interest. Extended school year/summer school courses include a variety of work apprenticeships (vocational credits), remedial skill instruction and enrichment activities. Students needing to acquire high school graduation credits in required classes can obtain them through Virtual Learning Academy (www.virtuallearningacademy.net) options.
After-School Program
Mount Saint John School provides an after-school program for all residential and day students. Classes are offered as “cottage industries” and the expectation is that students learn skills in areas of interest while earning vocational credits and “vocational dollars”. These virtual paychecks are issued and students learn the life skills of depositing their checks in “virtual bank accounts”, budgeting and spending their earnings.
Although the after school program offerings vary slightly from quarter to quarter, the options are generally as follows –
Music – lessons on keyboards, guitar, African drums; goal is to perform, produce a CD
Commercial Arts – students experiment with various art mediums; goal is to create art to sell at various Agency fundraisers
Small engines – students learn about engine basics and learn how to repair them; goal is to repair small engines for sale
Horticulture – students learn about plant cycles, starting and maintaining indoor and outdoor plants; goal is to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers to sell at the summer Farmer’s Market (spring and summer) and Christmas trees,wreaths, sprays and cemetery baskets (winter).
Culinary – students learn about food preparation and certification in ServSafe curriculum; goal is to earn income through food preparation of cookie dough, cakes, seasonal items and dinners.
Building Trades – students learn the skills of facilities maintenance, including plumbing, electrical, construction, etc. Students earn certification in Facilities Maintenance through nationally recognized Home Builder’s Institute. Goal: Renovation of MSJ classrooms including removal of rugs, painting, refurbishing and tiling floors.
Woodshop – students complete hands on projects with wood while complying with safety regulations. Goal is to create wood projects to sell/auction/ donate to various organizations
Graphic Arts – students learn to use various programs including power point, excel spreadsheets, photoshop. Goal is to produce photoware (posters, magnets, tee shirts, etc) and presentations for internal and external agency usage.
