Hartwell Learning Center (HLC Special) & Assessment Center at Hartwell (ACH)

The Hartwell Learning Center (HLC) is a public, highly structured, therapeutic day school with small classroom size, low student to staff ratios, and a school-wide positive therapeutic behavior system. In addition to group and individualized academic instruction, students receive individual and group counseling, case management, and crisis intervention. The program focuses on improving academic, social, and coping skills while providing students with a safe, consistent, and positive learning environment. The Center serves students in K – grade 6 who have severe emotional disabilities. Some students may also have mild to moderate cognitive deficits. Many students have major psychiatric diagnoses and often receive psychotropic medication as a component of their outside treatment.

The Assessment Center at Hartwell (ACH) is a 45-day school placement for students who are displaying significant emotional and behavioral issues within their current school setting. The highly structured, staff intensive classroom setting provides many opportunities for individualized instruction, academic support, assessment, and intervention. The ACH classroom has a maximum of nine elementary-level students and one teacher with three instructional assistants. In addition, there is one master’s-level clinician.

The Assessment Center serves students K – 6th grade who have social/emotional disabilities and behavior difficulties. These children have a range of diagnoses, including Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Mood Disorders, Asperger’s Disorder, and specific learning disorders. Other students may not have a diagnosis, but are still struggling with behavioral issues and not making progress within their current school placement. These students are referred to ACH in order to receive a full clinical and formalized educational assessment.