Program Description

The overarching goal of the North River School, a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education approved program, is to provide middle school and high school students with a highly structured and therapeutic environment while ensuring the 21st century skills they will require post-graduation are taught and developed.

NRS addresses the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs of students individually with the most current and best practices. In addition to traditional academic subjects, students also participate in daily living and transitional skills classes such as Culinary class, the Innovation Studio, and social emotional learning.

The NRS curriculum is aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and is modified as needed to meet individual student’s needs, providing added supports throughout the day to facilitate success. Instruction is delivered in a small group format within a therapeutic milieu with counseling services. A strong home-school relationship is a critical and essential part of the program’s success, and one that is fostered through regular, two-way communication.

The goal of the North River School is to assist students in developing the behavioral, social-emotional, and academic skills needed to successfully return to their sending schools. Students receive academic credits toward graduation from their own school districts by completing the course of studies provided at the North River School. Vocational exploratory opportunities, including off-site internships, are offered.  The Innovation Studio is a technology-based class that incorporates the most current tools and technology such as 3D printing, graphic design, desktop publishing, and model building. In addition, students in this class are introduced to small business operations through the design and printing jobs community agencies and groups hire NRS students to complete under the direction of the class instructor. The Culinary Exploration/Food Service continuum of classes teaches students culinary and food service skills as well as addresses food safety, nutrition, work habits, and entrepreneurial skills.

Internships in the community are also offered to upperclassmen in good academic standing with support from a job coach as needed.  Students, with prior agreement from their district’s TEAM, also have the opportunity to participate in their district’s academic and extra-curricular activities. It is the goal of NRS to incorporate flexibility and creativity when addressing the needs of students.

North River Middle School – More Details

The North River Middle School (NRMS) is a MA-DESE approved public special education day program. The NRMS’s mission is to assist students in developing appropriate behaviors and improved academic skills which will allow them to achieve success in transitioning to high school and/or returning to their sending school.

North River Middle School serves students in grades 5 through 8 in classrooms designed for small-group instruction, with an integrated therapeutic milieu, counseling services and a behavior management system. A strong home-school relationship is encouraged as an essential part of the school’s success.

The NRMS special needs teachers work with students to earn academic credit toward promotion to high school. Core curriculum academics focus on preparing students for success on MCAS tests and overall educational achievement. The NRMS schedule includes life skills development, health and wellness education, social-emotional learning, and vocational exploration.

The NRMS’s well-developed, successful summer program helps students continue academic and social skills and helps prevent regression of skills during the summer break.