Guiding Beliefs:

• The CDDS believes that all students should be provided with the opportunity and the support to reach the highest possible standard and level of independence.
• The CDDS believes that all students should be challenged to learn in a caring environment that respects diversity and values life-long learning.
• We believe in high quality and relevant professional development as an essential part of growth and the success in the educational process.
• The CDDS believes programs and services should be of the highest quality and be responsive to the changing needs.
• We recognize and celebrate the unique accomplishments and contributions of each individual in our program.
• The CDDS believes student assessment and program evaluation are essential for continuous improvement.
• We encourage and accept a diversity of opinions to stimulate innovative and creative ideas and effective solutions.
• We embrace collegiality and a sense of shared commitment and recognize that we can accomplish more collectively than separately.
• The CDDS believes community involvement should be actively solicited, encouraged and developed.
• We recognize the need to support families in order to facilitate the educational process.
• Parents, in partnership with schools, are an integral part of their childs learning.

Goals: Educational Programs: to provide high quality individualized programs for each student we services.

Objectives as follows:

• Students should be encouraged to attain high standards of achievement.
• Students should become life-long learners and prepare themselves for a changing society.
• Students should acquire the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to achieve and maintain optimum health and lifelong fitness.
• Each student processes unique talents and gifts and they should be encouraged to reach their maximum learning potential.
• Students should understand, respect, and appreciate the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of our society and the democratic principles upon which this nation was built.
• To structure an environment that encourages critical and creative thinking, problem solving, experimentation, and innovation.
• Students should be able to communicate effectively through reading, writing, speaking, computing, the arts and technology. Technology: To maximize the utilization of technology for educational and administrative services.

Space and Facilities: To provide an appropriate, safe, and nurturing facility that is able to support and sustain all CDDS programs and initiatives.

• To provide an environment where students can display pride in their work, and where the community, staff and students can appreciate the achievement of others.

Professional Development: To offer high quality professional development that addresses current needs and future trends and expands the knowledge base leading to the implementation of best practices.

• Ongoing opportunities for the professional growth and development of staff are essential for continued school improvement.
• To promote high standards of personal and professional responsibility.
• We will provide consultants and offer course reimbursement to ensure ongoing professional development to all staff.
• We will provide content based professional development workshops, and opportunities to assist teachers in the recertification process and to encourage staff members to achieve content expertise and a graduate degree.

Financial Resources: To secure the financial resources necessary to support and sustain CDDSs organizational structure, programs, and services, and to expand initiatives.

CDDS objectives are reviewed quarterly by Administration and bi-annually by the Advisory Committee. In addition, all goals and objectives are evaluated by the Board of Directors in accordance with corporation bylaws.

Program Criteria:

The Christopher Donovan Day School Inc. (CDDS) is a private co-educational school. The CDDS offers both an alternative learning environment for language disabled students ages 14  19 years old and social skills instruction for students of all ages. The day school enrollment is limited to 15 students with a maximum student teacher ratio of three to one. Students present with average to below average cognitive abilities and share a common history of difficulty within the traditional school setting. Diagnoses include autism spectrum disorders, language based, intellectual, social/emotional, and learning disabilities.

In the small, safe, nurturing environment of the CDDS each students unique needs can be fully addressed. The CDDS considers the social/emotional development as well as the academic development when constructing and implementing individualized programs. The Christopher Donovan Day School Inc. strives to provide a positive learning experience where each student achieves their true learning potential.

The Christopher Donovan Day School Inc. admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship, loan, or other school administered programs.