Information for Parents

Wright School has provided residential treatment and special education services since 1963 for children identified with behavioral, emotional and learning difficulties. The school was established as part of Project Re-ED, a National Institute of Mental Health demonstration project created by Nicholas Hobbs, Ph.D.

Re-Education (Re-ED) is a nationally recognized alternative to traditional medical mental health treatment. In addition to working with your child, Wright School helps each child's family, school and community work cooperatively to meet the child's special needs. We have learned in the last thirty years that full participation in the Re-ED process by you, the parent, is the single most important factor in your child's increased success in life. Wright School's Liaison Teacher/Counselors help family members, informal family support systems and professionals from community agencies into a focused treatment team with a common vision for meeting your child's special needs.

Many children are referred to Wright School because of problems with behavior and social skills. The highly structured, predictable program offers many chances for children to learn how they are doing as they go through the schedule of a normal day: school, chores, play, personal health and homework. At Wright School, Teacher/Counselors provide treatment and instruction in behavioral control and social skills. Evening Teacher/Counselors provide direct instruction in learning to handle anger, problem solving and communication with other children and adults. The other children in your child's group also help.

Day, Evening and Liaison Teacher/Counselors are specially trained, licensed special education teachers. They are in charge of assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating each child's individual treatment program with the assistance of the unit Clinical Case Coordinator and Educational Assistants. Resource teachers and specialized consultants complement the treatment team.

To make a referral to Wright School you must first contact your local area Mental Health Center (Click here for a list of local area Mental Health Centers) which must approve all applications. (Note: Please click on your browser's arrow "back" key to return to the Wright School Web Site.)

For more information about the program, referral process or questions about the appropriateness of a child for the program contact: