Our Program: Sheppard Pratt School in Millersville Elementary School

Our school is divided into two classrooms based on age and grade level, helping maintain a calm and safe environment for learning. We meet our students at their level, ensuring that they are comfortable and can communicate appropriately so that learning comes more easily and effectively.

Vocational Training

We understand that our students need more than what a traditional school can provide. We ensure that everything we do is educational, functional, and practical, preparing our students with the tools they will need to excel beyond the classroom. We know that vocational training is crucial for our students, and in addition to our educational curriculum, we create “jobs” that provide multiple opportunities for learning skills and problem solving. For example, we allow the students to get our mail, sort it, and deliver it to the classrooms. This fosters responsibility and teaches language skills, while also building practical job skills. We constantly look for ways to teach our students independence, whether it be career readiness or self-care.  

Integrative Learning

We teach academics, but we also provide our students with structured and supportive opportunities to experience life, both at school and in the community. To best meet the needs of our students, we use techniques such as core communication, social skills instruction, and observational learning. Additionally, as often as possible, we venture into the community to help our students hone their communication, social, and coping skills as they prepare for their independent futures. Our students benefit from our location within Ruth Parker Eason, as they participate in weekly library/media, art, music, physical education, and aquatics classes taught by the Ruth Parker Eason Special Education staff. We also have access to the school’s playground, and participate in school-wide special events such as Challenge Day, Ruth Parker Eason’s annual school-wide field day.  

Active Learning

We create a welcoming atmosphere at Sheppard Pratt School in Millersville, incorporating fun activities, sensory breaks, and functional learning throughout the day. Our curriculum is hands-on and practical, involving crafts, manipulatives, and technology. Each classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and computers which allows our students and teachers access to the Internet for current events and supplemental teaching aids. Students can also use computer time as a reward. To help our students reach their full potential, we use structure, routines, pictures, and sequencing to reinforce everything we teach. We incorporate thematic concepts that the students can apply to the “real world” and bring home with them at the end of the day.  

We also focus on fitness and motor skills through physical education and aquatics classes. We also have access to a shared sensory/motor skills room. Our students love to take breaks, and can be found walking the hallway, on the playground when the weather permits, or playing a game of catch with each other or staff in our classroom to improve their gross motor skills, coordination, and social skills.