Back to School for ECLC of NJ Students with Special Needs!

ECLC of New Jersey is excited to begin another school year for students from across the state, who are diagnosed with a range of disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, intellectual or medical disabilities.

Students are referred to ECLC from sending districts in 11 New Jersey counties. Eligibility and placement is determined by the sending district and the ECLC Child Study Team. Learn more about admissions.

Our schools provide an outstanding academic program that is aligned with the New Jersey Department of Education Core Curriculum Content Standards. Students are grouped according to abilities not by their grade levels. They may stay in the same class for several years or move, as appropriate. The maximum age range within a classroom is four years. The student-teacher ratio is maintained at 4:1 with a maximum number of 12 students per class.
Curriculum

We believe in educating the whole student with the goal of preparing them for life after graduation. An equal emphasis is placed on enhancing academic skills and developing the social-emotional well-being of students.

Our team of specialists includes:

• Learning Disabilities Teaching Consultant (LDTC)
• Nurses
• Occupational therapists
• Physical therapists
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Speech therapists

These related-services providers work with our classroom teachers and physical education, art and music teachers to optimize the learning environment.

Teachers at both schools use the SCERTS framework in all classes. SCERTS (Social Communication Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support) is a multi-sensory, child-centered and activity based model. The approach is individualized, based on each child's developmental profile.

Community-Based Instruction

At both campuses, the local community becomes an extension for testing independence and learning daily living skills. On a regular basis, all students explore the library, post office, bank, drug store, restaurants and other locations in the surrounding community. While enjoyable, these are not recreational field trips. Community-Based Instruction (CBI) involves teaching academics, social skills and other content during activities that occur naturally within community settings.

Sports & Clubs

Our students aren't left watching on the sidelines. Students celebrate all the typical school milestones of prom night, field day, talent shows, award assemblies, Thanksgiving feasts and holiday shows! ECLC offers many extracurricular activities, including:

• Boy Scouts
• Cheerleading
• Dance
• Drama/music clubs
• School newspaper
• Sports teams
• Student government
• Yearbook
• Yoga
• Zumba

Respite Weekends

Students stay engaged even on the weekends with the respite (sleepover) program. Activities are planned to practice social skills, teamwork, and the "art" of relaxing and just hanging out. All of these programs are offered with no cost to the district!

Learning for Life

Starting at age 14, ECLC prepares students for life after graduation, through the SKIL (Seeking Knowledge for Independent Living) program. In our dedicated Transition Rooms, students complete simple jobs and learn the "soft" skills of expected behaviors and attitudes in the workplace. They manage mailings, collate newsletters and create custom invitations, T-shirts, mugs, napkins, menus, and more. They even run the school lunch program.

These projects support real customers as well as take care of school needs. After students have mastered the basics, they move out into the community to "sample" jobs. They get to experience anything from child care and retail to food service, maintenance and office administrative support.

Upper School & Transition

Our goal is to prepare our students for independent living and for a smooth transition from school to young adulthood! In their final years before graduation, our employment specialists from Community Personnel Services (CPS) help students create a plan to take them into the next chapter of their lives.

Students learn to write resumes, practice interviewing skills, interact with co-workers and make decisions — with their families — about work or a day program. CPS has a 21-year track record of successfully assisting people with disabilities obtain and retain jobs. The job placement rate in 2015 was 98%.

ECLC runs the P.R.I.D.E. Day Program exclusively for alumni who are not good candidates for work, because of the nature of their disability.

All of our students graduate with a concrete plan for their future - and that is the ECLC difference!