Pk - 12 Education Programs

The Center for Occupational Awareness and Placement

The Center for Occupational Awareness and Placement (COAP) provides students with the fundamental skills necessary for entry-level employment. The year-round program offers intensive training to develop students’ experience and confidence for an inclusive work setting. Students learn through community-based employment opportunities and classroom-based academic activities. In addition to the fundamental skills necessary for employment, students are provided with life skills to live at the highest degree of independence possible.

The Supported Center for Occupational Awareness and Placement

The Supported Center for Occupational Awareness and Placement (SCOAP) provides students with community-based employment opportunities as well as functional academic and life skills. This year-round program offers intensive training to develop students’ experience and confidence for an inclusive work setting. Students are provided with the fundamental skills necessary for supported employment as well as the tools to live at the highest degree of independence possible

School-to-Work

School-to-Work is an initiative that builds collaborations among educators, businesses and the community to help students attain the knowledge and experience necessary for employment.

Merrimack High School

The Merrimack Alternative High Schools rely heavily on forming learning communities where both teacher and learner are empowered. Innovation and flexibility form the model for delivery of educational services for those students who, for various reasons, do not achieve in a standard high school program.

Merrimack Vocational High School

The Merrimack Vocational High Schools provide a high school setting for students who are interested in gaining vocational training in addition to core academics. Students are encouraged to make choices and to identify the connections between their academics and vocational opportunities.

Merrimack Middle School

The Merrimack Middle School therapeutic alternative day program provides a middle school setting for young adolescents who have not been able to meet the day to- day demands of a traditional school setting, despite significant local special educational programming and supports. Additionally, they do not possess the necessary skills to manage the emotional, social, physical, academic and behavioral demands of such institutions.

Merrimack Extension Program

The Merrimack School Extension Program is geared towards middle school students, in grades 6-8, diagnosed along the Autistic Spectrum, including those students with Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and who present with sensory modulation deficiencies. The student to teacher ratio of 3:1, with two full time aides, a school adjustment counselor and a variety of teaching methods allows for students to achieve social-emotional and academic success. The program has also been successful with 9th grade students who are socially and/or academically functioning on a lower level.

45-Day Assessment Program

Assists in determining interventions that will aid students with increasing their ability to perform successfully within an educational setting. The program also addresses the therapeutic needs relative to each student. Psychosocial needs are accessed via formal and informal assessments while utilizing a holistic approach. The program offers two models: a self contained model and an integrated one. Both models provide a low student/teacher ratio.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) programs

Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) programs provide services for children between the ages of 3 and 21. Students on the Autism Spectrum can experience challenges even in the best educational environments. If the school culture has certain positive qualities, the scene is set for greater success. Merrimack Special Education Collaborative programs are designed to meet the needs of students diagnosed with Aspergers,Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or who are experiencing sensory issues along the Autism Spectrum.

Elementary Behavior School (EBS)

The Elementary Behavioral School provides a therapeutic, structured environment for students who have emotional, behavioral and social adjustment difficulties that impact their ability to make effective progress in a traditional school setting.

The Intensive Special Needs programs

The Intensive Special Needs programs provide comprehensive services to students with moderate to intensive physical, developmental and intellectual impairments.

Partners in Advancing Children’s Education (PACE)

Partners in Advancing Children’s Education (PACE) provides intensive home-based services to children who demonstrate difficulties with communication, socialization, behavior and/or sensory integration

Home School Facilitation

The Home/School Facilitation Program offers comprehensive support, education and encouragement to families of children with special needs. While the program’s emphasis is on implementing and modeling the child’s individual educational curriculum at home, the program also helps families cope with issues specific to home life. The Home/School Facilitation Program supplies a vital communication link between the school program and home.