Student and Family Support

We know firsthand that supporting students goes beyond the classroom, which is why we have two dedicated Deans of Student and Family Support.

Our deans are here to walk alongside both students and families, providing guidance, encouragement, and a safe space where kids feel comfortable seeking support—or even celebrating their successes!

While our deans help with discipline when needed, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every child is unique, and so are their needs.

Rather than applying rigid consequences, our deans take the time to talk with students, understand each situation, and use these moments as learning opportunities for personal growth.

Many of our students also work with outside professionals such as speech therapists, psychologists, and occupational therapists.

We believe in the power of collaboration, so we work closely with these specialists to ensure a well-rounded support system.

By sharing insights from school, home, and therapy, we can come together as a team to best support each child’s growth and success.

At The Joy School, we’re here to partner with you and provide a nurturing, understanding, and supportive environment where your child can thrive. Let us know how we can support your child's learning journey!

Mainstreaming, Placement, and Transition

When the time comes for your child to transition from The Joy School, you won’t have to navigate the process alone.

Our dedicated Transition Coordinator, Andrea Dorr, is here to guide and support your family every step of the way.

She will meet with you to discuss potential schools, application timelines, and what learning environment will be the best fit for your child.

From class size and academic rigor to the level of support each school provides, she will help you explore all the factors that matter most.

If your child is transitioning to a public school, our Transition Coordinator will also attend ARD meetings with you to make sure the right support systems are in place for a smooth and successful transition.

And our support doesn’t stop after your child moves on!

Our Transition Coordinator is always happy to be a resource for your family, even beyond that first transition year.

At The Joy School, we’re committed to helping our students and families feel confident, prepared, and supported—both during their time here and beyond.

We’re here for you every step of the way!

Andrea Dorr, Transistion Coordinator at The Joy School. — Andrea Dorr, Transition Coordinator

Mainstreaming

What is Mainstreaming?

Preparing students to transition to traditional school environments is a key part of The Joy School's mission.

With most students attending The Joy School an average of three to five years, students transition from the School at different ages and grade levels; and the timing is based on a number of factors, including:

Academic progress
Social and emotional maturity
Resiliency
The next school being considered

Mainstreaming Readiness

One of the first signs of a student's readiness to transition is consistent, proficient demonstration of The Joy School’s Keys to Success, as shown above. The Keys to Success are integrated into everything we do at The Joy School, and help kids both inside and outside of the classroom.

Secondly, we look for students to show independence in both academic tasks and age-appropriate social skills and behavior. Students ready to transition are equipped with the strategies and tools necessary to succeed in other schools.

Finally, we monitor student growth through teacher reports each semester, annual standardized testing every spring, and required diagnostic testing every three years. This allows us to ensure the student’s skills match the expectations of his or her future school.

Mainstreaming Process

When a student is ready to transition, the beauty is they are usually the first ones to know. The Transition Coordinator then works with the family to find the most appropriate school based on both the student’s and parent’s needs. Our students’ consistent academic and social success in a variety of public and private schools is a testament to the preparation they receive at The Joy School. A student who is ready to spread their wings and soar into a new journey is what truly puts the "joy" in The Joy School. And even after a student has transitioned out, the Transition Coordinator continues to offer familial support. We like to say once you’re at The Joy School, you are a part of our family forever.