School Programs

The goal of HollyDELL is to provide a safe, secure environment where learning is a life-long process, leading to as much functional independence as possible. Our mission is based on the belief that all students need a form of mobility, a means to communicate, and access to information and the environment. Within HollyDELL school, small class settings are divided into preschool, elementary, middle and secondary programs. Within each class, students are provided with educational and therapeutic programs geared specifically toward their Individual Educational Program (IEP). Certified teachers, along with teacher assistants, provide a low student-to-teacher ratio, allowing students and teachers to form close, family-like bonds. State certified teachers follow a curriculum with an integrated, multisensory approach. For elementary, middle and secondary students we follow New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, New Jersey Common Core State Standards, and the Teaching and Learning Standards for Preschool. Staff members work closely with the family to design a program that will encourage appropriate levels of independence for each student in the following areas:

• Cognition
• Social/emotional development
• Personal care/management skills
• Communication
• Fine/gross motor skills
• Community life skills

A collaborative team approach is used, ensuring treatment of the whole individual as the student strives for levels of independence. Program highlights include speech/language/feeding therapy, augmentative communication, physical therapy, sensory integration, mobility training, occupational therapy, pottery and music instruction, pet therapy, Adaptive Physical Education, functional skills training, community-based activities, and specialized nursing and family support services. Services are also provided by the New Jersey Commission for Blind and Visually Impaired for eligible students and a Behavior Specialist is also available for consultation as needed. HollyDELL students have the opportunity to participate in various age-appropriate field trips, school spirit activities, school and community dances, teen nights, annual prom, student council, and a senior class trip. HollyDELL offers a six-week Extended School Year (ESY) program for currently placed students as well as students not enrolled at HollyDELL.