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our programs

overview

Villa provides an individualized education for students within a small group setting. Each student is working towards goals specific to their learning profile in their reading, writing, math and executive functioning classes. Daily content classes of science and social studies provide additional opportunities to work towards specific goals within a high interest curriculum. No one program is used to teach skills; the needs of each student are evaluated to see what best fits their learning profile. However, all Villa teachers are trained in PAF, an Orton-Gillingham based reading program.

art

Villa seeks to help students develop a lifelong appreciation of the visual arts, through a study of art history as well as exploration and experimentation in a variety of art media and techniques – including painting, sketching, collage, ceramics and more. We are proud of our artists (and they are proud of themselves), as their many wonderful creations are displayed throughout our school for all to see.

music

Music is a universal language, a bridge between verbal and non-verbal expression. Music education promotes self-discipline, higher order thinking skills, and perceptual motor development. Villa believes all students can learn to perform and appreciate music, as we provide a wide range of musical experiences for our students. Our younger students experience music through movement and hands-on activities, songs and games, while our middle school students experience music through project-based learning – composing pieces using digital audio workstations, creating parodies using simple melodies, and conducting research on performers and music from around the world.

environmental education

Through collaboration with the Bartlett Arboretum, membership with the Pollinator Pathway, and guidance from an Environmental Educator, students engage in hands-on learning that fosters responsibility and a connection to nature. They plant and tend the school garden from seed, ultimately organizing the annual plant sale, and take daily care of the chickens on campus by feeding them, maintaining the coop, and collecting eggs. These experiences, combined with other environmental projects, help students practice accountability, develop confidence, and cultivate a lifelong respect for sustainability and community engagement.

physical education

Our physical education program has a primary focus on team building and cooperation. This is accomplished through both independent and group fitness based activities. Some of those activities include: basketball, yoga, cross-fit, soccer and footskills, obstacles course challenges, building full body strength and agility, and more.

social development

At Villa, we explicitly teach social and emotional skills through school-wide monthly practices. Each practice is connected to a CASEL-5 competency to encourage whole-child learning. These skills are woven into their classes, supported during lunch and recess, and targeted through all school projects and community building activities.

speech and language therapy

Our speech and language pathologists support our students in their ability to use language to comprehend, to think logically and critically, and to be clear, effective communicators. As members of our integrated service team, our SLPs provide small group instruction in the classroom as well as pull-out support throughout the school day.

occupational therapy

Villa’s Occupational Therapist provides individualized instruction through push-ins and small group pull-out sessions in order to enhance each child’s participation and performance of school-related activities. Students develop skills related to visual-perceptual, gross motor, fine motor, self-care and sensory processing skills.

library

The Villa Maria School library has over 8,000 volumes consisting of award winning books, non-fiction, fiction, biography, reference materials, and class sets that support the curriculum and interests of our students. Every book is color-coded to indicate its reading level, which makes it easier for our students and teachers to find appropriate reading material and promote student independence when choosing a book. The students frequent the library with their reading teachers on a weekly basis to check out books for leisurely reading. Classes also visit the library as particular units of study are introduced in order to find books to support their learning. Throughout the year, students participate in reading events such as “Read Across America Day” and our annual Storytelling Festival.

  • Villa transformed our son's life. As a student with apraxia of speech, an auditory processing disorder and a significant learning disability, our son has blossomed. The school's structure, including small class sizes and tailored academic and support programs, combined with strong leadership, has profoundly influenced his academic, social, and emotional growth. Villa provides a secure haven for diverse learners like our son, fostering a true sense of community. Despite a long commute, he eagerly anticipates school each day, fully engaged in the Villa community. The school excels in involving parents, with student events and regular meetings with leadership. We can't emphasize enough the positive impact Villa Maria School has had on our son and on us as parents.
    happy villa parent
  • Villa has a solid value system and creates engaged and thoughtful citizens. We have seen time and time again that each person who works at Villa is fully invested and present to engage with students. Villa students are encouraged to be curious, think deeply, and make connections. They are such a pleasure to work with and their enthusiasm to learn is inspiring!
    local organization
  • The feeling of security [our son] has at Villa has helped to alleviate the anxiety he felt while mainstreamed and has opened him to learning. That feeling has also made it possible to make social connections. We cannot adequately express our gratitude for the intelligence, acceptance and patience of everyone at Villa. We feel real hope for our son’s future because of this exceptional school.
    happy villa parent
  • The staff at Villa Maria School always strive to meet the needs of the students. Members of the school always take charge of difficult situations and problem solve when needed. The knowledge of curriculum is extensive and their ability to address the unique needs of each individual student is exceptional. The staff exhibits a professional and hard work ethic which is outlined in their daily routines. The administration supports the staff daily in building teacher capacity and supporting them, which in turn supports students. The supportive, collaborative atmosphere at Villa promotes students' success and for many parents it is a welcomed relief. Villa continues to be a successful placement for some of our neediest students.
    public school director of special education
  • One of Villa Maria School’s most remarkable strengths is its deep commitment to communication and partnership with families. With small, nurturing class sizes and a supportive environment, students receive individualized attention while families build meaningful, lasting relationships with the school community. The Villa team is truly invested in every child’s success, creating a positive and effective learning environment. From the carefully selected faculty to the welcoming campus with updated spaces, every detail reflects a dedication to meeting the needs of all students. This commitment provides immeasurable value, not only to the families served but also to the districts that partner with Villa. In countless PPT meetings, parents consistently express their gratitude for the academic growth and social-emotional development their children achieve here. Villa is unwavering in its mission to support every learner, helping students of all profiles become confident, independent, and well-prepared for the future.
    public school psychologist
  • Villa changed our son’s life. The school structure (including its small class size and highly-tailored, highly integrated academic and service support programming) along with its strong leadership has had a profound effect on both our son’s academic as well as his social and emotional development. Our district fully supported the outplacement of our son to Villa. We haven’t looked back since. Villa offers a safe place for children, like ours, who learn differently. Our son has found his home, a sense of community. From an academic and therapeutic standpoint, the entire staff shines. Our son has full SLP and OT support throughout the school day. The integration of these services directly into the classroom (and the programming itself) have changed the game for our son. The ability for the school to course-correct throughout the year is profound. We can’t say enough for the positive impact Villa has had on our son and on us as parents.
    happy villa parent
  • My son joined Villa's extended school year program last summer and his transition was seamless. Within days, he felt welcomed, understood, and supported by teachers and staff. Unlike his overwhelming past experiences, the small class size, OG trained teachers, and like-minded classmates at Villa Maria have led to his remarkable progress. The IEP goals are focused, progress is well-documented, and collaborative communication ensures his ongoing success. Sending him to Villa Maria School brings me joy, knowing he's thriving in a supportive environment. Being part of Villa is life-changing, and I hope more students can experience its transformative impact.
    happy villa parent
  • Villa has been the best place for my child. He has made tremendous strides, especially socially and emotionally. He has become extremely self aware and made phenomenal progress. Academically, he couldn't be doing better. His ability to manage himself and thrive is incredible.
    happy villa parent
  • I send my son to Villa everyday knowing that he is happy, thriving, and being taught with fidelity. Being a part of Villa has been life changing.
    happy villa parent
  • The growth I’ve seen in my son has far exceeded my expectations. His teachers not only track his IEP goals with care but also integrate the S.E.L.L. (Social Emotional Language Learning) program into every day—building social awareness, resilience, communication skills, mindfulness, and coping strategies. This holistic approach has been transformative, and I believe all schools, not just those serving neurodivergent students, would benefit from a program like S.E.L.L.
    happy villa parent
  • I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate everything you have all done throughout this year. The progress our child has made in each course, the confidence and self esteem gained with the support and guidance of each of you as well as collectively as a team of teachers, has exceeded all my expectations!
    happy villa parent