973-884-2030 
We appreciate that The Calais School is a consideration in your search for a private special education school and we have made it our priority to provide the answers to all of your questions and concerns. After reviewing our FAQ, if you still have questions or would like to learn more about our Admissions process please contact Cheryl Porter-Avino, Director of Admissions at cheryl.porter-avino@thecalaisschool.org 973-884-2030 ext.251.
The Calais School is an excellent placement for students struggling with appropriate behavioral, social and communication skills caused by underlying disabilities including two or more of the following:
- Psychiatric Mood Disorders (Depression, anxiety)
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- High Functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Traumatic Memory/Stress (abuse, neglect, bullying)
- School Refusal (anxiety based), Social Phobia
- Specific Learning Disability (dyslexia, communication disorders)
- Academic under performance
- Emotionally fragile personalities
Students are referred to The Calais School by school districts, health professionals, and concerned parents throughout northern New Jersey.
Yes, admission to The Calais School is rolling throughout the year.
Diploma is provided from the Sending school district at the time of graduation. Credits are determined by the sending district in consideration of course accomplishment.
Students succeed at Calais because our differentiated and integrated academic programs are customized to meet each student’s needs and enhance their strengths. The Calais School’s curriculum is aligned with NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards. Each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is supervised by Learning Disability Teacher Consultants (LDTCs) to ensure that each student—from the remedial to the twice exceptional student—has a program to help them reach their fullest potential and become life-long learners.
Classroom size varies with typically 8, however could be up to 12 students per class with an aid.
Classrooms are equipped with a variety of shared desktops, individual Chromebooks and/or Ipad.
Yes. Our School Psychologist, Dr. Baker, provides expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help our students succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. Dr. Baker partners with families, teachers and our Counseling Support Team to create a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment that strengthens connections between home, school, and the community.
Calais offers counseling and therapeutic supports which includes crisis, group and individual counseling. Group counseling is offered regularly to students in both our upper and lower school programs. Individual counselors are available throughout the day on an as needed basis. Students also have access to our Counseling Resource Center when needed.
Yes, our Twice Exceptional Gifted & Talented program offers students educational and therapeutic opportunities in a nurturing environment that encourages personal achievement and growth. Areas of concentration include forensics, app & game design, and visual art.
Visual arts courses offer a wide range of opportunities for students to broaden their interests in the arts as they acquire knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the arts. Students participate in art classes that encourage their imaginative skills and creative expression. Students work with a variety of media with advanced art classes available. The art program is enriched by visiting artists and an artist-in-residence for special projects.
STEAM is a regular part of our academic curriculum for all grades, we also offer a Twice Exceptional STEAM Program. Various activities across a wide array of subject matter provide students with time to focus on collaboration, creativity, problem solving and communication while also offering new ways for students to explore and engage with the world. Check out our STEAM Class Project Gallery!
Yes, our students have the opportunity to participate in music and drama. Music is investigated throughout all levels of instruction at The Calais School. Music courses present opportunities for students to broaden their interests as they develop an understanding and appreciation of the arts and develop skills to express personal talents. The Music Program conducts Winter and Spring concerts featuring our concert band and chorus. Individual and group lessons are available to middle and high school students participating in the music program. The Drama Club offers students an additional outlet for self expression and exploration while encouraging the development of social skills, self-awareness, public speaking, speech and more.
S.T.E.P. (Short Term Evaluation & Education Program) is a short-term (1-3 months) educational and therapeutic program that was created to provide immediate assessment, instruction, and counseling for parents and districts struggling to find an appropriate placement for their students. This approach helps alleviate a student’s immediate problems in the current placement and provides a thorough evaluation to ensure long-term success.
While some schools utilize dogs as a calming presence, The Calais School’s Animal Assisted Interventions Program was developed to meet the complex and varying needs of children with special needs in a school environment. The Calais School is home to a dedicated team of dogs and handlers that help students reach behavioral and therapeutic goals. The program was established in 2013 and has expanded into a robust offering of therapeutic and educational integrations through the use of Animal Assisted Therapy, Education & Activities.
Overall the program helps students to build self-esteem and trust, stabilize emotions, and improve communication, motivation, self-regulation and socialization skills. Learn how Calais integrates Animal Assisted Interventions into our therapeutic services.
Yes, depending on need, we have the availability of Reading and Math specialists for remediation, as well as a Counseling Resource Center for additional social/emotional and behavioral supports.
Calais’s Transitional and Career Services are built around robust and comprehensive program offerings which include SLE (Structured Learning Experiences), CBI (Community-based Instruction), Career and Technical Education, 12 Plus Program, and C.O.R.E. Transition Program.
Transition services at Calais are introduced as early as 5th grade and continue to be offered to students through 12 Plus. We have a comprehensive transition and career services offering. New to our school in 2017 is the C.O.R.E program, which is geared toward students who have already met their academic requirement but need help transitioning into adult life.
Our SLE program offers students supervised activities designed to assist them to explore and define career goals, build workplace-readiness skills, or seek career area field experience. Depending on student grade level, SLE will occur in school or off-campus at various job sites. Students attending job sites are accompanied by a job coach.
Calais has a NJ state recognized CTE program where students gain exposure to various career clusters which have included floral design and landscaping, culinary arts, graphic arts, media communications, office occupations, early child development, hospitality and tourism.
Yes, our counseling team is available regularly, and we encourage open dialogue with our teachers and clinicians. We have a monthly support group for parents, which incorporates child care for convenience, as well as an active PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization).