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 Lourie Center School has been selected
as a 2009-2010 NASET School of Excellence. This honor is presented
to private special
education schools that meet rigorous professional criteria
and have demonstrated truly exceptional dedication,
commitment and achievement in
the field of special 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.
