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Who We Are

A group photo of the 2024 Fairhaven staff

Fairhaven School is a therapeutic public day program that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. We provide a highly individualized and supportive environment for students with specific educational needs. Our highly structured environment, featuring a 1:1 student-to-teacher ratio and individualized teaching methods profoundly impacts students' progress.

Fairhaven School embraces a dynamic program design, shaped by the collaborative efforts of an exceptional team to support the unique needs of students. Fairhaven strives to emulate a school community for learners and families focused on the development and use of important skills through ongoing learning opportunities 

Our purpose is to work together as a Falcon Family, with member districts, families and community, to create an educational environment tailored to the individual goals of each student, preparing them for a person-centered future with the tools to be successful in life.

At Fairhaven, we pride ourselves on providing specialized instruction combined with traditional experiences in general education settings, such as Homecoming, Spirit Week, PBIS celebrations, graduation ceremonies and more. 

Our staff is composed of highly trained, passionate, and dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to support the needs of all students. They are compassionate and 100% focused on student success. They also focus on communication, social-emotional learning, fine and gross motor skills, and sensory integration. 

Our students are unique, creative, and remarkable individuals who make a huge impact on everyone around them, teaching us something new every day. Families are essential partners in our mission, consistently collaborating with staff, administration, and outside service providers to ensure we are aligned in meeting each student’s needs both at school and at home.

Our member districts collaborate closely with us to support their students attending Fairhaven. We maintain ongoing communication to ensure students and families receive the necessary equipment, transportation, and resources. Additionally, we work as a team to support students who are ready to transition from Fairhaven back to their home district, ensuring a smooth and successful reintegration

Our community plays a crucial role in offering real-life experiences that help build our students' functional, social-emotional, and communication skills. Our Falcon Family is committed to providing each student with an individualized educational experience in a highly structured, behavior-supported, sensory-friendly, and communication-focused environment.

All together, we are the Fairhaven Falcons and we LOVE our students!

Program Supports & Services:

Fairhaven Team Includes:

Classroom Team:

  • Special Education Teachers
  • Paraprofessionals

Behavior Support Team (Nest):

  • Behavior Specialist
  • Behavior Paraprofessionals

Related Service Teams:

  • Physical Therapist 
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Social Workers
  • Adaptive PE Teacher
  • Vocational Facilitator 
  • Nurse

Administrative Team:

  • Principal and Assistant Principal 
  • Administrative Assistant 

Fairhaven Supports Includes:

Environment:

  • Sensory Friendly setting
  • Emily Matlock Memorial Garden
  • Visuals and Communication Boards throughout the school
  • Daily Adapted PE in renovated gym

Behavioral:

  • Individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
  • Behavior Support Team
  • Positive Behavior Integrated Support (PBIS)
  • Team Behavior Support Meetings

Instructional: 

  • 1:1 staffing ratio
  • Community-Based Instruction
  • Transitional Kindergarten Classroom 
  • School and District-Based Activities
  • Transition planning as part of IEP process
  • Direct Instruction
  • Work, Break, Work Schedules
  • TEACCH Aligned activities and structure

Communication:

  • Daily Communication with families (home reports)
  • Weekly updates and monthly newsletters
  • Use of Individualized Communication Devices