Helping students learn at their pace

Academic Programs

Strategies for Success

The COVE School uses strengths-based approaches, engaging activities, and a variety of learning strategies to support student success across all courses including; English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Vocational Studies, Physical Education and various electives.

By fostering positive working relationships with students and providing clear structures, our teaching team helps students develop skills and competencies, reflective practices, and personal development.

The COVE works in collaboration with students’ school districts to help the student meet objectives for high school graduation. COVE students accumulate credits toward a diploma, sit for standardized testing (with accommodations), and often are eligible to participate in sports or extra-curriculars through their sending school district.

Small Classes

The COVE School offers small class sizes of up to 8 students, with a wide variety of core academic offerings, elective courses and vocational programming. Specific classes and learning objectives can be found in our Curriculum Guide.

The COVE School Curriculum

Course offerings at The COVE are based on student availability, need, and interest. Not all courses are offered in a given semester or year. The COVE School may add additional courses based on student needs and progress. All academics are based upon the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and Common Core Standards with modifications and accommodations applied according to student need.

Students are placed in groups with peers who display similar levels of academic, social, and behavioral skills. At times, students may require additional support in specific subject areas. When this happens, every opportunity to provide the student with extra help and practice are offered–whether it is through tutoring, small group instruction, or additional class time.

In addition to providing services, accommodations/modifications, and other supports outlined in IEPs, we implement universal supports to give all students the scaffolding and specialized instruction they need to be successful and access the general curriculum.

Graduation Facilitation

The COVE School issues Certificates of Completion, but not a formal high school diploma. The Certificate of Attendance reflects a student’s completion of the curriculum at The COVE School by achieving a passing grade of a 60/D-, or higher in all of their academic classes.

For those students who meet graduation requirements, while also meeting the expectations for graduation from the sending school district, The COVE School’s Principal and Special Education Coordinator collaborate with the sending school district to ensure the student is awarded a physical High School Diploma during the Graduation Ceremony in June.

Program Oversight

The COVE School is a year-round program accepting students from a variety of referral sources, primarily Massachusetts local school districts and The Department of Children and Families. The COVE School is licensed to accept school referral placements for students identified with a primary disability of Emotional Disability and secondary or tertiary disabilities including Autism, Specific Learning Disability, and/or Other Health Impairments. The COVE School is a Chapter 776 Special Education School approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Teachers at The COVE School are licensed by the state of Massachusetts.