Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative

The Central MA Academy (CMA) serves special education students in grades 7-12 who are currently not making progress in a regular school setting.  CMA’s highly structured setting, strong focus on academics, and therapeutic support allows students to pursue academic excellence, pass the MCAS, and graduate from high school.  CMA is dedicated to creating a safe, predictable, and supportive environment for students and staff to fully dedicate energy to our primary concern--education.

STUDENT PROFILE:

Students who attend CMA generally have a psychiatric diagnosis combined with significant behavioral challenges. CMA students typically have a variety of involvements with DCF, foster agencies, DMH, DYS, and the Juvenile Courts.  These involvements are a result of multiple events over an extended period of time.  These students require an environment with clinical supports and consistent behavioral feedback.

SCHOOL FEATURES:

¨      Low student to staff ratio 6:1 

¨      Highly structured setting with positive behavioral feedback

¨      School wide behavior system encouraging student accountability

¨      Strong emphasis on academic responsibility

¨      Curriculum based on the MA State Curriculum Frameworks

¨      Classroom accommodations and modifications increasing student access to the curriculum

¨      Individual and group counseling from school clinicians

¨      Case management