The summer is a very important time for kids to explore, make friends, relieve stress and stay active. One of the best ways to give your child these experiences is through structured recreational activities. Unfortunately not all summer recreation programs are created equal and many are not designed to accommodate children with special needs. This can pose a real challenge for the parents and caregivers of these kids and may even discourage them from seeking out a summer program. For this reason, the Calais School developed a special half-day Extended School Year (ESY) Program designed specifically to address the unique challenges experienced by children with special needs all while in a nurturing environment.

If you are the parent or caregiver of a child or young adult with special needs you should consider the many benefits of an Extended School Year Program like the one offered at The Calais School which include:

  1. opportunity for physical activity – the kids enjoy fun indoor and outdoor activities from playing on the play ground to our annual badminton contest.
  2. sense of community- every morning students and staff enjoy breakfast together and every afternoon we all enjoy a healthy mid-day meal together with family style seating.
  3. educational field trips also offer opportunity for socialization and exposure to new experiences
  4. prevents the regression of academic and developmental progress that can occur in the summer months
  5. provides a safe and nurturing environment developed specifically to meet the unique needs of kids with special needs

If your child is challenged by communication, social skills, mood regulation, or learning disabilities, then the Extended School Year Program at The Calais School may be a good fit. While the curriculum is less formal than during the school year, our ESY Program is designed to contribute to the broad educational achievement of our students.

Our ESY program includes K to Elementary and Middle School to 12 Plus levels. It is staffed by fully certified teachers and counselors from the academic school year program. Students in our Extended School Year (ESY) Program will receive IEP-mandated reading, counseling, speech, and occupational therapy in a program that meets their academic, therapeutic, and social needs. To learn more visit our Extended School Year Program page.