Clifford Academy

The Clifford Academy is a Massachusetts-approved Chapter 766 private school, offering year round educational treatment programs for youth aged 12-18. The student population at the school is generally characterized as having emotional, behavioral, and/or learning difficulties. The program addresses educational, psychological and behavioral challenges and its unique classroom environment aims at improving academic success, enhancing social and life skills and returning students as quickly as possible to a less intensive educational setting. This is accomplished by providing comprehensive educational instruction, as well as social and recreational opportunities that meet or exceed state and federal standards and are tailored to each student’s individual learning ability and style.

To assist students to become more active learners and make substantial academic gains, Clifford Academy provides a year-round engaging and comprehensive program focused on education, career development, recreation/fitness, and an individualized therapeutic approach. These areas of focus are essential in helping students build self-esteem and become active members of their communities by reducing academic and behavioral regression, promoting positive social skills, and providing exercise and fun.

Highlights of the program include:

• Separate middle and high school tracks in accordance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
• Credit accrual and credit recovery opportunities
• Individual and small group instruction based on academic needs and IEPs
• Core classes including reading, English Language Arts, science, social studies, history, mathematics, and health
• MCAS material incorporated into daily academic work
• Elective classes including cooking, sculpting, drawing, journalism, leadership skills, music (percussion and strings and recording studio equipment), introductory architecture
• Career and Vocational Development
• College planning and preparation
• Clinical Services
• Clinical staff on-site five days per week
• Dedicated sensory integration rooms and classroom sensory tools
• On-campus speech and language pathologist and occupational therapist
• Wide variety of on-site, engaging and fun recreation/fitness activities