CTDS School Profile

PROFILE OF THE SCHOOL

The Community Therapeutic Day School is a private nonprofit organization  accepting students of any
race, nationality or creed. 

Children's Ages:                                               3-12 

Classroom Ratio:                                             6-8 children
                                                                         2 teachers plus interns 

Calendar:                                                         10-month program
                                                                         4-week summer program 

Hours of operations:                                        9am - 12 noon Monday
                                                                         9am -2:30pm Tuesday through Friday
 
Individualized Educational Plans (IEP):        Required and reviewed annually 

Evaluations:                                                   Available in all disciplines
 
Affiliations:                                                    Massachusetts Department of Education
                                                                       Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools
                                                                       Chapter 766 Approved Private Day School

The Community Therapeutic Day School is affiliated with the Community Therapeutic Day School Supporting Foundation, a nonprofit foundation which offers financial and advisory support to CTDS.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

The goal of the Community Therapeutic Day School since its beginning in 1974 has been to provide a consistent, gentle, and supportive environment for young children with neurological and emotional disabilities. Because of physical and emotional disorders, most of these children have experienced a disruption in the natural course of developing attachments and a sense of self. They have missed stages in their social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and linguistic development, and these developmental gaps have profoundly effected the way in which they view the world. Unable to function successfully in daily life, their attempts have met repeated failure. Consequently some children withdraw, some act aggressively, and some behave in ways that seem strange or bizarre. The school's task is to help bridge these gaps, so that the children can grow and function at their highest potential.

CTDS embraces families and their children, creating a "holding environment" that supports each child's physical, social, emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and educational growth. A "holding environment" creates a milieu which facilitates integration and the process of development. This notion was conceived by British psychoanalyst and pediatrician Dr. Donald Winnicott.

We believe that emotional growth takes place through relationships that connect a child with the inner world, the family, and the community. Using a psychotherapeutic orientation, we help children to understand the connection between their emotions and their behavior and to come to terms with their strengths and their disabilities. Through the development of a trusting relationship with teachers, we provide a safe environment for children to experience their feelings: joy, rage, anger, pleasure and to understand confusion about their emotional and physical world. We also support and work with families to help them learn to engage their child in meaningful relationships.

Nancy Fuller, Executive Director
Bruce Hauptman,MD, Psychiatrist
Alan Shapiro, Program Director

CONTACT INFORMATION

Nancy Fuller, Executive Director
Alan Shapiro, Program Director
(781) 861-7081 Phone
(781) 861-3625 Fax

DIRECTIONS

Community Therapeutic Day School
187 Spring Street Lexington, MA 02421
(781) 861-7081 Phone
(781) 861-3625 Fax

From the east:
Take Route 2 West to Exit 54A "Waltham St./Waltham." Left at stop sign onto Hayden Ave. to the end. Left at stop sign onto Spring St. Cross back over Route 2. CTDS is 4th mailbox on right.

From the west:
Take Route 2 East to Exit 53 "Spring St." Merge onto Concord Ave. to stop sign. CTDS is opposite. Turn left onto Spring St. then immediately right into CTDS driveway.

From the south:
Take Route 128 North to Exit 28A "Trapelo Road/Belmont." Merge onto Trapelo Road and immediately get into left lane. Left at first light. CTDS is 1/2 mile on left.

From the north:
Take Route 128 South to Exit 29A "Route 2 East." First exit off Route 2--Exit 53 "Spring St." Merge onto Concord Ave. to stop sign. CTDS is opposite. Left onto Spring St. then immediately right into CTDS driveway.

THE PROPERTY

The Community Therapeutic Day School is located on a 4-acre former dairy farm, an attractive environment for children, staff and families. The orchard, woodlands, nature path, perennial garden, and playground provide ample educational and recreational opportunities.

The property is the former "Parker Homestead," home of John Parker, captain of the Lexington Minutemen, and his grandson, Theodore Parker. The 1830's farmhouse contains our administrative and therapeutic rooms. An adjoining classroom building was built in 1989.

In addition, a large red barn of 2400 square feet rests on the hillside. Renovations, completed in 1995, preserved the original post and beam construction, a unique example of turn-of-the century architecture. Dedicated in honor of former CTDS student Michael Robert Heath, the barn now houses several therapy rooms, a large physical education space, a library, and an art room. A kiln is located in the old stone milk house.

Copyright © 2004 Community Therapeutic Day School
Website designed by Kunjan Anjaria