The Center for Developmental Disabilities 853 School

The Center for Developmental Disabilities 853 School provides a specialized 12-month Children's Day Program for students ages 5 to 22. The school is specifically designed for students with educational classifications of autism, intellectual disabilities, or multiple disabilities. Students are referred to the program through their home school district when their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and specific educational needs cannot be fully met in their current placement.

To ensure highly individualized instruction, the school maintains very small classroom sizes with low staffing ratios, such as 6:1:2 or 9:1:3. The academic curriculum includes core subjects like English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, all tailored to meet each student's unique developmental level. Additionally, a Vocational Education Program is integrated into the curriculum to help students build essential daily living and social skills.

The school's environment focuses on holistic growth through adapted physical education, art, and music programs. These enrichment activities are designed to foster communication, self-esteem, and overall development. The primary mission of the 853 School is to increase each student's independence, empowering them to participate more fully and meaningfully in their community.