Organization - Monarch School Of New England

The Monarch School of New England supports individuals with special needs so they can realize their greatest potential. In this nurturing environment, a comprehensively trained staff works one-on-one with each individual, uniquely integrating both education and therapy, to insure successful transitions to school and the community.

Description:
The Monarch School of New England began in 1974. Today, we proudly service 30+ severely physically and developmentally challenged, as well as medically fragile children from within a fifty mile radius of Rochester with about 55 teachers, therapists, educational technicians, and administrative staff. These caring professionals work closely with each child to prepare them for integration into the community and with typical children.

The Monarch School of New England operates a year-round school that is accredited by the NH Department of Education. We serve children ages five to twenty-one, who are enrolled in one of two programs: The Williams Site is for our high school students and the Foss Site is for our elementary and middle school students. In addition to the traditional therapies, we also provide Aquatic and Horticultural Therapies, Job Coaching, and a comprehensive Vocational Program.

History:
To understand what the Monarch School of New England does it is important to get some of the history of the organization. Thirty years ago this school was but a dream to a core group of dedicated volunteers. We have pictorial evidence that shows services were being provided to Developmentally Disabled children through play group staffed with volunteers as early as 1969. It wasn't until 1974 that formal status as a nonprofit organization was sought and received. At that time the organization was sponsored by the Gateway Association of Retarded Citizens - truly a visionary group of people.

Today children from within a fifty mile radius of Rochester are served by 55+ Teachers, Therapists, Educational Technicians and Administrative Personnel. We operate a year round school that is evaluated and approved by the NH Department of Education as a special education school.

In 1986 the School opened a new building at 61 Eastern Ave in Rochester. Currently we have three sites the Foss School on Eastern Ave, and the Williams Site and Vocational Site on Gonic Road.

Over the past several years the staff and Board have developed a comprehensive, dynamic program that is based on each child's skills, talents and individual needs. Each child's program is designed to maximize each child's potential.

We are currently providing services to special children who are severely physically and developmentally challenged ages 5 to 21. These children are in one of two programs; The Williams School program for elementary or the Foss School program for middle and high school students. In addition, we provide Speech and Language , Physical , and Occupational Therapies, Aquatic Therapy, Job Coaching, Community Integration and a comprehensive Vocational Program. We also provide medical services, Hippo Therapy Therapeutic Riding, Horticulture Therapy and Aquatics Therapy.

Contact people:

Ken Plourde, Director Of Human Resources, (phone), (email) Cynthia Tokos, Community Relations Director, (phone), (email) Diane Bessey, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

61 Eastern Ave., P O Box 1921 Rochester, NH 03866-1921 (See a map)

Directions:

Get on the Spaulding heading to the White Mountains. Get off exit 16. As the proceed on the exit ramp stay to the right. Continue straight when the road makes another Y stay again to the right going. . . (more)

Miscellaneous Information

Name of Executive Director (or equivalent) if not listed above:
	Diane Bessey
Type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)3
Is your organization a Health and Human Service agency?
	Yes