our mission

Villa Maria School seeks to create an inclusive community where students from K to 9 with diverse learning profiles exercise their curiosity and imagination as they practice the skills that lead to academic, social and emotional growth.

villa students are

courageous
independent
brave
kind
imaginative
skilled
connected
compassionate
confident

our tradition

Villa Maria was founded by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters to serve the needs of struggling readers in 1973. Today, Villa is a thriving learning community that celebrates the cultural and religious traditions of its students. We recognize the intrinsic dignity of everyone and strive to instill in our students a deep respect for difference. Our expectation is that our students will live these ideals, honoring our common humanity with kindness, gratitude and love.

history

our guiding principles

A culture of dignity and belonging is the foundation of a safe, supportive community.
Academic, social and emotional growth occur together.
Strong relationships with teachers and fellow students are the foundation of a supportive, understanding education.
The Villa Program must address each student’s individual needs.
Our teachers must be highly skilled and dynamic educators who work collaboratively to understand how to best teach each student.
Students must be taught to understand their struggles and develop strengths to grow into confident, self-aware learners.

diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging

Villa Maria School is a community rooted in kindness. We are committed to ensuring that our families feel a sense of belonging, because we embrace and explore differences and commonalities, and the challenges they may present. By embracing diversity, we are a stronger community.

"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
“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
"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