Student Population

Clifford Academy serves 6^th through 12^th grade students who have educational, emotional, and behavioral challenges that cannot be adequately addressed in a traditional public school environment. Clifford Academy students have struggled to engage in a traditional public school and/or to meet the academic and behavior expectations in a traditional public school. Our students benefit from the small class size in a therapeutic setting with the support from educators trained in special education and the social/emotional needs of our students. Ultimately, our goal is to work with students to develop the necessary academic, vocational and social emotional skills to thrive in school, at home and in the community.

The population of students at Clifford Academy have typically experienced traumatic events in their history and increased challenges in traditional educational settings.  Many of the students have had attachments to primary caretakers disrupted or have not had the opportunity to form initial healthy attachments. The result of their traumatic histories is demonstrated in their maladaptive behavior patterns which include, but are not limited to, fire setting, sexualized behaviors, suicidal ideation, running, aggressive/assaultive behaviors, learning difficulties, delays in socially acceptable responses and limited healthy coping skills.  In addition, Clifford Academy students have a failing pattern in previous school setting and/or significant gaps in educational placements.

The length of stay varies depending on the specific needs of each student.