Spaulding Youth Center Kicks Off New School Year with Second Consecutive 5-Year Accreditation
September 21, 2015
Spaulding Youth Center was awarded a coveted five-year program accreditation by the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE). This is the longest timeframe permitted between Special Education Program Approval Visits. There were no findings of noncompliance and the report included several specific commendations for the Spaulding Youth Center School and staff.
The process began in March with a Special Education Program Approval Visit to the scenic 470-acre campus in Northfield, NH. The purpose of this visit was to review the present status of programs and services made available to children and youth with educational disabilities compared to all private special education schools statewide. The visiting professional educators conducted classroom observations to gain an insider view of a day in the life of a Spaulding Youth Center School student.
As part of the process, Spaulding Youth Center provided supporting materials, including student education programs (IEPs), progress reports, samples of student work, grades, extracurricular involvement, permanent records, curriculum and more. NHDOE also performed independent surveys of key stakeholder populations, including local education agencies and parents, to gain external perspectives and confirm effective communications.
“We are proud of our staff’s work each and every day with the Spaulding students and are thrilled to see their passion and success formally recognized with a second consecutive NHDOE five-year program approval,” shared James Clements, CEO and President at Spaulding Youth Center. “This prestigious accreditation demonstrates that Spaulding is the leading provider of educational, residential, and therapeutic programs and services for children and youth with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning, or developmental challenges.”
Back to school time creates an exciting and energetic rhythm, as new and returning students as well as staff adapt to the school day’s structure and schedule. Although Spaulding Youth Center operates 24/7/ 365 for residential students, the Spaulding fall school year opening was the first time this program approval was shared with many of the student body and so contributed to this first-day-of-school dynamic. To start the 2015-2016 school year, Spaulding’s 80 students, comprised of 19 girls and 61 boys, represent over 40 towns across New Hampshire as well as several towns in Maine and Vermont. Regardless if the student is a day or residential, the start of a new school year provides an opportunity for each individual to reflect on hopes, dreams and goals for the coming academic year.
About Spaulding Youth Center
Spaulding Youth Center is a leading provider of services for children and youth with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning and/or developmental challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorder. Services include academic, behavioral health, residential, foster care, health and wellness and family support. Spaulding Youth Center Foundation is a taxexempt 501 (c)(3) nonprofit. For information about Spaulding Youth Center, visit www.spauldingyouthcenter.org.
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