The Regional Day School is a 10-month day program supported through tuition payments from local districts. An extended school year program is offered during the months of July and August.

Individualized education programs are implemented and within this context each pupil's performance is commensurate with his/her social, intellectual and physical abilities. Each student receives instruction and ancillary services aimed at alleviating or ameliorating the pupil's handicap.

The instructional programs include basic academics, physical education, pre-vocational education, health and safety, activities of daily living, art, music, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, medical and support services.

The following standards are used to evaluate the Regional Day School's instructional program:

• The environment fosters positive feelings toward self and others through directed and non-directed activities.
• The classroom organization and pupil assignment are based upon individual needs.
• The creative and effective use of a variety of instructional methods, equipment and resources.

Population

Students range from 3 to 21. Class profiles encompass instruction for students who are multiply handicapped, emotionally disturbed and autistic.

The staff includes administrative, business and service personnel in addition to those listed below:

• Classroom Teacher
• Classroom Aides

Support Personnel:

• Nurse
• Psychologist
• L.D.T.C.
• Social Worker/Counselor
• Speech Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Art Therapists
• Adaptive Physical Education Instructor
• Industrial Arts Instructor
• Music Specialist
• Job Coach

In 1973, the voters of the state approved the Facilities for the Handicapped bond issue, which authorized the enactment of Chapter 149, Laws of 1973. This law mandated the construction of regional facilities which would provide appropriate programs and services to low incidence handicapped children.

The eleven Regional Day Schools, like other programs for handicapped students, are thoroughly monitored by the Department of Education to assure that their programs and services are provided in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as with department guidelines and policies.

The New Jersey Regional Day Schools provide the least restrictive environment for those pupils whose handicaps are low incidence or of a severity that prevents programming any other setting. The schools provide each pupil with an enriched and comprehensive appropriate program.

The Regional Day School at Jackson began serving students in September 1982. On July 1, 1984, the Manchester Township Board of Education assumed the responsibility for the operation of the school.