Green Chimneys

Green Chimneys School is designed for students who have been unsuccessful in a traditional educational setting and who require a small, structured and therapeutically supportive setting.  Small class sizes, high staff-to-student ratio, well-trained teaching staff and a safe, therapeutic environment are just a few things that make Green Chimneys School the right choice for so many students with special needs.

An enriched educational environment on two campuses - Brewster & Carmel, NY - offers a vast array of adjunct programs such as woodshop, life skills, outdoor education, art, gardening and our world famous nature-based programs that encompass animal-assisted therapies/activities, horticulture therapies/activities, humane education and sustainable agriculture education.

Green Chimneys complies and often exceeds all standards and educational mandates set by New York State. Students are referred by their home school districts, although we’ve had students whose parents have chosen to pay privately for their child’s tuition. Admission is based on referrals from sending school districts and individual needs of the student.  Each student’s curriculum at Green Chimneys School is highly individualized and applied in a comprehensive, therapeutic environment with a staff-to-student ratio of 12:1:1, 8:1:1, and 6:1:1. The educational, physical, emotional and behavioral needs of the individual learner are considered and accommodated following comprehensive assessments. A professional staff (social workers, counselors, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, speech pathologists; occupational therapists), familiar with the sometimes complex needs of students in a special education setting, guide children toward making constructive choices and building upon their individual strengths.

To meet the needs of students with psycho/social challenges, Green Chimneys, together with families, collaborates with each child’s home school district through the Committee of Special Education (CSE) to ensure that educational and related services goals are met.  A variety of programs to address remedial or specialized learning needs are offered to our students.

MORE ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Green Chimneys School provides academic, behavioral and emotional support for residential and day students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The goal is to help students reach their maximum academic, behavioral and emotional potential at this time so they may return to their home district with the best chance of success.  We follow New York State standards for all grades, modifying them to meet the abilities of our students. In addition, we provide a variety of cultural, vocational and therapeutic activities to round out the school day.  Our 12-month, campus- based, special education school balances academic classes taught by certified special education teachers with recreational programming. Individual, group and specialty therapies are provided, as well as speech/language, occupational, horticultural and animal-assisted therapy. An on-site committee reviews educational progress of all students and coordinates with local school district committees of special education.