Student Life

A day at Manville consists of active learning, social interaction, and caring support from your child's teaching team.

At a Glance

  • Classes are structured and supportive, with a teaching team that works together to provide academic and behavioral support. Instruction is individualized to each student's specific learning strengths and challenges.

School
Logistics

  • 180-day school year and 20-day summer program
  • School day runs 8:30AM-3:00PM Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, and 8:30AM-12:30PM Wed
  • Average class size of 8 students
  • Each classroom is supervised by a special education teacher, teaching assistant, and milieu counselor
  • Curriculum is aligned with Massachusetts Common Core State Standards
  • Medication oversight with psychiatric services and full-time nursing staff
  • Calendar aligned with public schools, so winter, February and April vacations are the same
  • Daily breakfast, snack, and lunch provided free to all students regardless of income
  • Daily recess for all grade levels
ACADEMICS

High Academic Standards

We provide comprehensive and integrative education across a wide range of subjects including English/Language Arts, Math, History/Social Sciences, Science & Technology, Speech & Language, Computer Technology, Physical Education, and Health.

We maintain high academic standards while structuring activities for success – in fact, all Manville students participate in MCAS, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System. 

Approximately 90% of our 10th graders have passed both the ELA and Mathematics tests and 95% of our 10th graders have passed the Biology Science test, making them eligible for graduation from high school.

View Academics

Clinical Support

Psychologists, social workers, and graduate student clinicians provide a broad range of fully integrated clinical services for students at the Manville School. These include psychotherapy, psychiatric and nursing services, and occupational therapy.

We provide individual and group therapy, parent coaching and support, case management, and family therapy on-site to support students’ psychological and educational progress. We aim to find the most appropriate solutions for each individual child.

View Clinical Services

Wellness & Nutrition

The physical health and well-being of our students is a high priority. It is one of the critical foundations for healthy growing and sets the stage for learning to take place. Wellness has both pro-social and health benefit, teaching children about nutrition as well as how to actively play well together. We make very effort to provide children with healthy food, snacks, and beverages. Manville School is also committed to providing opportunities for physical exercise throughout the day in both structured and non-structured settings.

The school nurse is always available to consult with students regarding any nutritional or well-being issues that they may have.

View Wellness Policy

Bullying Intervention & Prevention

Manville School expects that all members of the school community will treat each other in a civil manner and with respect for differences and diversity. We believe that a positive, safe school environment is necessary for students to learn and achieve.  Bullying disrupts a student’s ability to learn and compromises a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment.  Therefore, Manville School prohibits any form of bullying, including cyber-bullying, and retaliation.

Manville School defines bullying as the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture directed at another student that interferes with a student’s sense of safety, dignity, comfort, or productivity in the school environment.

View Bullying Policy

Student Stories

Jason's Story

Jason is an 11-year-old boy who struggled to succeed in his local elementary school program. He was described by all as a bright boy, but he was easily overwhelmed by the academic and social demands of his classroom, and often became frustrated or would shut down before tasks were even introduced. Jason had difficulty sitting still, his desk was usually a mess, and he could never find the materials he needed to begin an assignment. He often called out during group lessons and needed constant reminders throughout the day to raise his hand, wait for his turn, and to keep his comments “appropriate.”

After a long process, many attempts within district to provide supports, and many meetings, the team looked for an out-of-district placement. Jason’s parents toured several schools and decided on Manville. At Manville, Jason and his family have developed a better understanding of his strengths and challenges, have been able to use the supports provided by his educational and clinical team, and have developed a host of strategies and tools that help Jason be successful and better regulated throughout the school day. Jason is making steady academic progress and has developed friendships. Jason feels better about himself, now sees himself as a learner, and has developed hope for his future.

 
 

Ready To Join Manville?

Our teachers are ready and waiting to speak to you. Let’s work together to make sure your child’s educational needs are being met by a caring and supportive team.