Therapeutic Education Helps Students Reach Their Next Milestone
July 13, 2026Every graduation tells a story. Whether it’s a preschooler leaving Nature’s Nursery, an eighth grader moving up to high school, or a graduating senior preparing for life after Green Chimneys, each milestone reflects personal growth and the support of a community dedicated to helping students succeed. Each proud smile represents another young person discovering their strengths and moving forward with the skills and confidence to succeed in school, at work, and throughout life.
Green Chimneys’ Class of 2026 totaled 26 graduating seniors, making it our largest graduating class in recent years. Along with their regular academic programs, students have participated in invaluable Work-Based Learning experiences and completed their Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS), helping them to prepare for future paths and opportunities.
Many of our graduates will also further their education in college programs, including:
- Curry College
- Rutgers University
- The Culinary Institute of America
- Dutchess Community College
- Lincoln Technical Institute
- SUNY New Paltz
Individualized Learning Builds Confidence
Our educational approach recognizes that no two students learn the same way. Teachers, clinicians, related service providers, and families work together to create individualized plans that build on each student’s strengths while addressing their unique challenges. Using evidence-based instructional methods and differentiated learning, students develop the confidence to become increasingly independent learners.
Learning extends well beyond the classroom. Students participate in enriching experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and self-confidence through animal-assisted activities, horticulture, environmental education, arts, adventure programming, and work-based learning. These experiences help students discover new interests, strengthen relationships, and remain engaged in school while supporting their therapeutic goals.
Measurable Student Success
This individualized approach continues to produce meaningful results. During the 2024–25 school year, Green Chimneys introduced a new literacy program that helped 88% of students in grades 2–8 and 75% of students in grades 9–12 demonstrate academic progress. Research conducted in partnership with the University of Denver also found that participation in nature-based and human-animal interaction programming improved students’ emotional regulation and increased on-task classroom behavior by 15% following farm activities.
Success at Green Chimneys is measured not only by diplomas, but by each student’s ability to make meaningful progress toward greater independence. During the past year, 83% of students discharged from residential treatment and 75% of students discharged from the therapeutic day school successfully transitioned to a lower level of care, demonstrating increased emotional regulation, self-advocacy, and readiness for their next step.
Families see that progress, too. Parent satisfaction surveys found that 89% of respondents were satisfied with their child’s social-emotional growth, 91% were satisfied with the education program, and 95% said they would recommend Green Chimneys to another family.
Both my children have made huge improvements in their social and emotional well-being since starting at Green Chimneys. Anyone who has a child struggling with these areas will be very satisfied with the school’s approach towards targeting these areas in particular.
Preparing Students for Life Beyond Graduation
For high school students, preparing for graduation also means preparing for adulthood. Through Green Chimneys’ Work-Based Learning program, more than 100 students participated in career readiness experiences during the past year, completing over 400 hours of hands-on work through on-campus employment and partnerships with local businesses. These opportunities help students explore career pathways, develop workplace skills, and build confidence for life after graduation.
