Academic Programs
Celebrate the Children is the first school to use the Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based Foundational Capacities for Development (DIR-FCD) model to fulfill the requirements of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for students ages 3-21. We are at a pivotal moment in the evolution of education, as many people, including public school districts, are recognizing the need for interventions that look at overall development and build on the unique strengths of each student while strengthening weaknesses identified by the latest research in the field. Celebrate the Children has brought together the leading thought leaders in the disciplines of medicine, mental health, education, related service providers, technology, and creative arts, to better understand the individual differences of children and young adults with developmental challenges.
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Pre-K Inclusion Program
CTC’s full-day, Pre-K Inclusion Program serves children ages 3 to 5 using a Developmental Curriculum approved by the New Jersey Department of Education. Emphasizing movement and play, the research-based curriculum focuses on self-regulation, thinking, and executive functioning. The preschool program integrates speech, occupational and physical therapies, family engagement, and after-school enrichment opportunities.
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Elementary School Program
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Celebrate the Children provides a comprehensive program based on the educational and developmental levels of the student. Our mission is to provide a solid foundation of learning while allowing flexibility in meeting the individual needs of our students as required by their Individualized Education Plans (I.E.P.). A special education program is required to follow the goals and objectives stated within the student’s I.E.P.
Celebrate the Children School Curriculum being taught at the K-5 Grade level integrates the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) in all areas of content, with the essential elements applied for students who take the alternate state assessment. Students study developmentally appropriate concepts. Academics are taught for deep understanding of the “big ideas” in each content area. CTC always provides intensive focus on supporting a student’s sensory profile, visual-spatial weaknesses, motor-planning challenges, effective communication, executive functioning, and other areas of development. Technology is integrated into instruction in meaningful ways. Students and teachers use digital tools and information to solve problems individually and collaboratively to create and communicate knowledge. |
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Middle School Program
Middle School is characterized by a time of rapid physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. It is a time where students begin to strengthen their independent learning skills and adjust to their individual changes both physically and emotionally. The heart of our curriculum continues to promote the development of meaningful connections within and across the disciplines while continuing to support the developmental foundations that need strengthening. Celebrate the Children seeks to meet all of our students as individuals where they are in academic and personal development and help them grow in ways their potentials allow. CTC students in middle school engage in a full academic curriculum of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies/Civics, Art, Health, Physical Education, Music, S.T.E.A.M., Life Skills, and Culinary Arts. |
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In addition, the DIR approach is integrated into all aspects of the curriculum, helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and promoting social-emotional growth.
High School Program
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Celebrate the Children follows the NJDOE requirements for course-level credits and graduation requirements with any exceptions outlined in the I.E.P. Most students follow a traditional schedule with varied teachers and classrooms. This helps support executive functioning and independence as the students have greater responsibility and expectations to fulfill these requirements.
CTC students in high school engage in a full academic curriculum of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Financial Literacy, Arts, Health, Physical Education, Life Skills, S.T.E.A.M. and Culinary Arts. Students’ courses are tailored to their I.E.P.s. In addition, the DIR approach is integrated into all aspects of the curriculum, helping students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and promoting social-emotional growth. The goals outlined in this HS curriculum include key basic skills or essential elements that are needed as students transition into minimally supported or independent functioning within the community, where each student will live, learn, work, and play. Based on the individual level, students will either hit the NJSLS, the targeted essential elements within each standard, or follow the node linkage progression for each skill. Practice and mastery of the specific skills in each curriculum area will provide students the opportunity to: |
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Young Adult Program
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Our Young Adult Program is dedicated to helping students build upon their unique strengths and empowering them to utilize these qualities as they prepare for life after graduation. CTC utilizes a person-centered planning approach in preparing for life after CTC. This approach targets the following components so our students have agency in their future and there is a clear plan forward in order to equip our young adults with the tools to navigate both everyday challenges and long-term goals.
The plan helps to drive the goals written in the IEP. With a strong emphasis on communication skills and increasing independence, and through self-advocacy, resiliency training, and real-world experiences, we aim to prepare young adults for success in their communities, workplaces, and beyond. |
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Work-Based Learning (W.B.L.) through our internship program provides students with the opportunity to utilize their last years of school to gain purposeful experiences that will help them in future. Specifically, the program places students with local companies to intern (with CTC job coaches) as part of their overall career-orientation education plan. They are designed to develop employability skills, explore career possibilities, and ease the transition between school and adult life. In addition, in-house internships are also incorporated into the daily schedule, as well as specialized classes that directly correlate to skills needed to be successful and active members of their community.
This time of transition can be both stressful and confusing to our students and families. In addition to transitioning out of the education system to a new setting, our young adults will be moving from a youth system of supports to the adult system with changes in support staff, available programs, and services offered. CTC provides valuable exposure to community resources, helping students and families understand the supports available to them as they transition into adulthood.
This time of transition can be both stressful and confusing to our students and families. In addition to transitioning out of the education system to a new setting, our young adults will be moving from a youth system of supports to the adult system with changes in support staff, available programs, and services offered. CTC provides valuable exposure to community resources, helping students and families understand the supports available to them as they transition into adulthood.
