Mission and Vision
To build a respectful and responsible community of learners dedicated to personal and academic success.
About NSAU
Northshore Academy’s academic and therapeutic approach seeks justice, balance, and equity regardless of race, gender, or disability by utilizing collaborative problem solving techniques. We provide a supportive culture that values diversity and the expression of personal perspectives that enhance both individual and group identities. As such, social emotional learning (SEL) is embedded in every aspect of our program to support the development of the competencies necessary for personal growth and achievement free from bullying, ridicule, and violence.
Calendar
Important Contacts
Intake Process
Northshore Academy is an out-of-district placement. We are also referred to as a collaborative and a therapeutic day school because we function as an extension of the public school system for students who require more support than is available at their in-district setting. We mainly serve students from Essex County with complex learning and social/social emotional profiles in grades 7 through 12. All of our students have Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s).
When a student is receiving special education services in their district, the IEP team may decide that the student is not making academic progress within the "in-district" setting and the family can agree to have referrals sent to "out-of-district" placements. The referral must be sent from the student's district. Once we receive the referral, we review the students profile to determine if their needs are likely to be served and met in our school. If we believe that we are an appropriate placement, we will then interview the student and guardians to further assess the likelihood of success within our milieu. Occasionally, we hold "shadow days" for students for whom there are extenuating circumstances. If we believe we can successfully support the student and have an appropriate cohort available, then we notify the district and the district communicates with the guardian about whether or not they would like their child to attend our school. If the legal guardian agrees, the district notifies us and we gather all necessary documentation for placement. We also have a short-term assessment program which evaluates what type of needs a student may require to be successful in school.
Our school day is structured with 5 Academic Periods during the first half of the day. One of those periods, which we refer to as a Strand, is either Art, Culinary, Music, PE, and Cosmetology. There is one, 17 minute, break at 9:30 and at 11:54 there is both a 15 minute break and 15 minute lunch. The next 2 periods consist of Enrichments, more commonly known as electives, that are different almost every day. There is 1 mandatory Health and Wellness class and 1 Mandatory Academic support class during the afternoon time frame.