Viola M Berard School

Since 1985, NRI Community Services has worked with school districts in northern Rhode Island. We provide intensive psychoeducational and clinical assessment services to at-risk children ages 5 to 21, whose behavior and/or psychological difficulties significantly impair their performance in traditional school settings. In 1999, the program received certification from the Rhode Island Department of Education as an independent, non-public, special education school and was renamed the Viola M. Berard School. Students are referred by their school district for educational and clinical services that are not available in their local city or town. 

Local Education Authorities also use this resource as a step-down transition process to assess and plan for students returning to school after a lengthy hospital, residential or other out of home placement. 

The goal of the Viola M. Berard School is to assist youth in successfully returning to their regular school system.

Referral Process

The Viola M. Berard School will accept referrals from Local Education Authorities (LEAs) throughout Rhode Island, and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut at any time throughout the year.

To schedule an appointment call: 235-7423 or email pmessore@nricommunityservices.org

Accreditation

The Viola M. Berard School is licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Services

• Formal Education Activities
• Ongoing Assessment
• Counseling and Case Management Services
• Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Service Plan Development
• Communication Skills Development
• Consultations with Local School Personnel

Curriculum

The curriculum integrates affective education with academics in a student-centered approach that meets individual needs and interests while conforming to Rhode Island Department of Education rubrics. Students earn credits based upon demonstrated proficiency through a hands-on approach.

School Environment

A supportive and flexible environment allows for and anticipates expressions of those behaviors which initially prompted the referral to the Berard School. By this, staff and students can work cooperatively to change, eliminate, and replace those behaviors that have impeded student progress in their home schools. Students are free to work out their personal and emotional and behavioral problems that accompany this problem-solving process without risking automatic suspension or expulsion as a consequence of behaviors. Services are provided in a handicapped accessible setting.

School Philosophy

It is the philosophy of the Berard School to provide an integrated academic and therapeutic supportive environment that promotes positive change in our students. We believe that students who attend this school require positive affective development which often precedes cognitive development. Therefore our concern becomes the development of the whole student, not just individual academic achievement.

Related Links

Child & Family Services

Contact Us

What's New

Hearing Impaired may contact us through Text Relay...