The ARC Center was created to help meet the needs of all students in the Essex Westford School District. ARC stands for Academics, Relationships, and Community. The school is designed more specifically for students who qualify for a specific set of services based on decisions made by their team. We want to create a space where all students feel like they belong and are important members of our school community. 

The school is built around a comprehensive therapeutic design that supports the whole child and expands their capacity to manage their emotions across all settings guided by the EWSD SEL Standards. Our goal is to transition our students back to their sending school with the skills and resources they need to be successful. We do this by focusing on three essential components evidenced in the name of the school; academics, relationships, and community.

Our academic curriculum is closely aligned with the EWSD grade level essential standards. We work hard to meet students where they are and to help them gain confidence in their academic abilities. We provide quality first instruction, while also helping to fill in gaps through individual academic interventions in reading, writing, and math.

Building and maintaining positive relationships is an important element of our social-emotional learning curriculum. Our program is staffed with a full-time social worker/therapist who provides 1:1 and group counseling. All staff at the ARC Center are trained to support social-emotional learning across all subject areas. We believe that relationship building is the cornerstone of helping students achieve at a high level.

Fostering a strong sense of community and belonging is what the ARC community works diligently to create. We believe that if students feel like they belong and they are valued, it will lead to greater academic success. Students are more likely to commit to academic and social excellence if they feel fully supported by their school.

While students are at the ARC Center, they will be supported by staff that is committed to building meaningful connections with our students. Staff will be ready each day to welcome students with support and positivity.

Location: 58 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT 05452

Vision: Growing hearts and minds for a better today and tomorrow: every day, every way, every one.

Mission: To create a learning space where students feel welcome, valued, and safe. Where meaningful positive relationships amongst students, families, staff, and community members are essential. Strengthening our students' social-emotional learning will lead to greater academic and life success.

Capacity: 20

Contacts:

• Director: Ben Johnson

• Assistant Director: Caitlin Mundy

• Teacher 3rd/4th Grade: Ashley Blanchard

• Teacher 5th/6th Grade: Eleanor Miller

• Teacher 7th/8th Grade: Kris Diasio

• Social Worker/Therapist: Jonathan Hutchings

• Curriculum Coordinator: Peter Paul

• Behavioral Interventionists: Asia Bailey, Jess Taylor, Eric Jagentenfl, and Yashaih Zurita