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Mill Pond Schools – Berkshires

The Mill Pond Schools, with locations in Springfield and the Berkshires, serve students—kindergarten through age 22—who have social-emotional and/or behavioral challenges, a learning disability, or who may have a diagnosis of high-functioning Autism. We are committed to serving the whole child, including the child’s family. Our goal is to assist students in developing the skills necessary to successfully return to a less-restrictive environment, and, ultimately, to their previous school setting.

Berkshires | Serving: ages 5 – 22
Contact: Michelle Tyer, LCSW, LSC, Principal
t: 413.282.5014 EXT 200 | f: 413.282.5015 | e: MTyer@helixhumanservices.org
2023-2024 School Calendar

Mill Pond Schools accept students through referral from their school district. When the needs of a student can no longer be met within the public school setting, the district sends a referral packet to Mill Pond, which includes the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), recent testing, and other pertinent information. The school invites the family and student for a tour of the school, answering questions about the programs, and explaining our offerings. If we believe the student is a good fit and can benefit from our program, we send an acceptance letter to the district and set an enrollment date.

The Mill Pond staff—in partnership with the student, parents, district staff, and others—develops a comprehensive individualized plan for each student. Students receive academic and therapeutic services that help them achieve their identified goals so that they can eventually move on to new challenges.

Academics are extremely important. Careful consideration is given to student placement. We want students to be successful in achieving their individual goals. Class sizes are small with a four-to-one, student-teacher ratio and students are supported outside the classroom.

Education and Curriculum Supports

  • Individualized or small group instruction in the core academic subjects that follow the Massachusetts Educational Frameworks.
  • Student / teacher ratio of 4:1
  • Data-driven and measured monitoring of student’s academic progress
  • Evidence-based instructional model
  • Behavior specialists who monitor student conduct and safety
  • A full-day summer program
  • 45- and 60-day placements that include academic testing and observations

Behavioral Supports

  • A wide variety of therapeutic interventions to support the growth and development of behavior and emotional skills
  • Evidence based approaches for behavior management to decrease inappropriate behavior and increase socially acceptable behaviors
  • Data-driven and measured monitoring of student’s behavioral progress
  • A Positive Behavior Support model implemented throughout the school
  • 45- and 60-day placements that include behavioral observations and assessments

Social/Experiential Programming

  • A wide variety of therapeutic interventions that address social and communication skill development
  • We deliver explicit social skills through small group instruction and modeling within our daily milieu
  • Full-time School Adjustment Counselor available for push-in and pull-out social and emotional skill instruction
  • Experiential learning off campus, e.g., in the community
  • Summer programming emphasizing social skills and experiential learning

Policies

Location:
Mill Pond School Berkshire Campus
45 Cemetery Road | Richmond, MA 01254

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