Program Description

The Lourie Center School, established in 1986, is a private school for children with special needs, certified by the Maryland State Department of Education The School serves children from nursery (age four) through grade five who have complex emotional and developmental problems which interfere with their ability to learn in a traditional school setting. The program runs for 11 months each year to provide continuity of structure, consistency in relationships, educational programming, and ongoing provision of therapies to our students. Our students currently come from Montgomery County, Prince George's County and Washington, D.C.

The school program combines an educational curriculum with therapeutic services to strengthen children's emotional resources, social capacities, cognitive development, motor abilities, speech and language skills. Class size ranges from 6 to 8 children, with a minimum of one adult for three children. Maximum school enrollment is 40 children.

The School's multidisciplinary staff work closely with parents and public school personnel to develop individualized goals, determine progress and plan an ongoing program to maximize each child's potential.

The School's Program is based on the philosophy that healthy relationships are the context for learning, growth and change.