Since that time, Lighthouse School has grown and now offers Comprehensive Biodevelopmental Services to a large network of communities throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
In 1997, Lighthouse School built a new school building, marking the first time it has neither borrowed nor rented space for its operations.Lowell, MA
1967-1977
Originally started in 1967 for two disabled young people in the Lowell area who were receiving no schooling at all, the school was located in two rooms in the basement of a convent. There were minimal supplies, no clerical or nursing staff and students who could not walk were carried up and down steps by staff. By 1974, the school employed three staff who were responsible for eight students. Staff performed whatever tasks were necessary including maintenance, janitorial functions, curriculum development and behavioral interventions. During these years the interdisciplinary services model was developed which provided quality education and clinical treatment for students.
On December 4, 1977, parents and staff moved the school to the Read Building at the Middlesex County Training School. The move occurred during the weekend with school reopening on the following Monday.
Lowell, MA
1977-1979
Until 1978, the school was located in five rooms on one floor. One room was divided into four classrooms, one printing room, and one curriculum room. Another small room contained the library, Speech, and reception rooms. The remaining areas consisted of the Lunchroom/Vocational room, another classroom and the Director's office. In 1978, the school expanded to the second floor, which added more classrooms, a Nurse's Office, and rooms for Speech and Physical/Occupational Therapy.
During these years the school continued to expand on its interdisciplinary services model and the fundamental frameworks for the APEX and FUSION technologies were formulated. The idea of synergy was introduced; with twelve methodologies being used together. In 1974 a goal was set to expand the school to service over 100 students and families and as a result in 1978 the search for additional space began.
At the end of June, 1979, the move to the facility at 180 Old Westford Road building began.Chelmsford, MA
1979-1989
During this time, the numbers of staff and students expanded to 120 students and eleven classrooms. In 1986 the school was incorporated as Lighthouse School, Inc. Development of the twelve integrated methodologies continued and the term APEX became a registered service mark in 1986. Two constellations of programs were established in order to address the needs of both a developmental/multiple disabilities group of students and a psychosocial/behaviorally disordered group. Lighthouse School offered a broad spectrum of curriculum-based, interdisciplinary services which included educational, vocational, communication, clinical, neuromotor and medical areas.
In 1985 Lighthouse School received its first national recognition from the Exemplary Private School Recognition Project which was co-sponsored by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) and the U.S. Department of Education. Over 6,000 schools were evaluated and Lighthouse School was ultimately selected as one of only 267 models having a high potential for national replication. During this time inquiries began to come in from all over the United States which encouraged the program to develop ways for more American children to receive the benefits of the technologies being developed at Lighthouse School over twenty years.
In 1989 the need for more classrooms and service delivery areas increased, and Lighthouse School looked for a larger building to lease. In July 1989 Lighthouse School had the good fortune to lease from the Town of Chelmsford a 46,000 square foot town elementary school that was no longer being used as an elementary school.Chelmsford, MA
1989-1997
These years were ones of rapid, but carefully planned, expansion of student population, interdisciplinary services, staff and programming. The large amount of space at the Billerica Road facility, located in the center of Chelmsford, beautiful grounds for recess areas and the availability of a long term lease for this building provided great potential for future growth. Here the student population reached the 200 mark early in 1997. From the 1989 school year until early 1997 construction was constantly underway to improve the facility to best provide for the diverse population of students enrolled. It was at this facility that the Comprehensive Biodevelopmental Services Model was fully developed which integrated the interdisciplinary model of service delivery with APEX Bioeducation.
Lighthouse School also received another CAPE award in 1992, and in 1996 was one of the first schools in the nation to receive accreditation by The National Commission for the Accreditation of Special Education Services by the National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children. Unfortunately, the Town of Chelmsford decided in 1993 to recall the Billerica Road property for use as a public elementary school. Lighthouse School found it necessary to exercise a five year clause in its lease which provided the time necessary to find another facility.
In 1996 land was secured and plans were made to build a new, state-of-the-art facility for occupancy during the 1997 school year.North Chelmsford, MA
1997
Iin August 1997 Lighthouse School became the owner of a brand new specially designed facility. For the first time in its 30 year history, staff and administrators were not confronted with the daunting task of retrofitting the classrooms and multi-function rooms necessary to best serve the diverse population of students who attend the school.
The layout of the school’s 137 rooms is designed to facilitate one of the primary hallmarks of Lighthouse School: its Comprehensive Bioeducational Services (CBS) design for education. Counseling areas are located in close proximity to the students who most require their services. The Neuromotor Services are near the gymnasium making it easier for students to have access to large equipment. Areas where students can practice lifeskills such as shopping, doing laundry and cooking as well as larger vocational spaces for students involved with job training and job acquisition in areas such as carpentry, retail and restaurant work are being enhanced to insure attainment of the skills necessary for independent living.