Mini School Mission
The Mini School specializes in educating children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental delay or other similar learning profiles. The Mini School serves students from five to twenty-two years of age. The school uses a multidisciplinary approach that includes best practices in applied behavior analysis, positive behavioral programming, language based instruction, incidental teaching, augmentative and assistive technology and sensory integration. The Mini School team is made up of highly qualified and experienced teachers and therapists. Instruction is delivered in large group, small group and 1:1 settings with a high staff to student ratio. The Mini School also offers an extended day and extended school year.
Resources
Academics
The Mini School follows the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks as a guide in providing academic instruction at each student’s developmental level. Academics are focused on Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science and Technology, History and Social Sciences.
Related services include behavioral supports, speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, assistive technology, adapted physical education, music therapy and Drum’s Alive. The Mini-School program offers parent consultation for families to ensure support, generalization of skills and a strong communication model from school to home. The Mini School also participates in Swim with A Special Child program where the students swim at the Connell Pool in Weymouth. The Mini School has a six week summer program to work on skills.
Functional life skill training is incorporated into the school day. Self-care skills, cooking, money management, community experiences, leisure activities, cooperative games, social skills training are integral components of the program.
Vocational training is provided for students who are 14 years of age and older. Students are taught job skills in the classroom and throughout the school building. This includes clerical, janitorial and cafeteria jobs as well as recycling programs, operating a greenhouse, and running a school store. In the community, students participate in volunteer/training jobs such as Meals on Wheels.
Established in the early 1970’s, the Mini-School has been serving students with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Mini-School began in one classroom, prior to the passage of Chapter 766 regulations, as part of an initiative of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to start “mini-schools” throughout the state for students with a variety of special needs. In 1987, the Mini School joined the South Shore Educational Collaborative and has expanded to educate students. Today we have 10 classrooms located in Hull at the Memorial School and Hull High School as well as Randolph High School.