Testimonials

Anna and Her Parents

See what other parents and students are saying about The Calais School

“The Calais School has been life-changing. What my son has learned at Calais is not just academic, but social and emotional. He is in a totally different place from when he started there.”

Parent

“At Calais, they told me that you can’t learn if you are not in control of your emotions. I was very impressed because no one else considered how she was feeling. How can you learn if your emotions are not under control? Calais considers the whole person, the whole student.”

Parent

“The Calais AAI Program is such an amazing program. When my son is around one of the dogs, he instantly melts. It redirects him and he feels good and its really nice. I am so glad Calais has the dogs as it has definitely been a help to him.”

Parent

“There are times when my daughter is very stressed and the animals and handlers are wonderful. She loves animals and she gets very relaxed with the dogs.”

Parent

“We’d be lost without Calais. My daugher was bullied at other schools and did not thrive. She did not want to go to school- she was afraid of the bullies. When she got to Calais, it was a totally different atmosphere and a different world. Everyone was been wonderful and so kind to her. The teachers are all so supportive and they really care about her.”

Parent

“They support the parents, which makes such a difference. I would highly recommend this for parents.”

Parent

“I am so very grateful for the Calais School. The comprehensive program is aimed to highlight the strengths and abilities within each student so that they have the best chances for success going forward. Unfortunately, my daughter came to Calais late in the game, her senior year, but just that one year alone was the most positive pivotal moment in her life thus far. With Calais’ 12 plus program, the enrichment continues, my daughter continues to gain skills and experience that she will use throughout her life. I can’t (and don’t want to) think of where we would be without having all of what Calais has to offer to round out and enrich her life the way it has. Many thanks.”

Parent

“This is an amazing school. It is life changing for my daughter. She is learning, so happy now, in the past it was a struggle to get her to go to school. Now she can’t wait to get there. I am very Thankful that they have highly experienced and intelligent people working there.”

Parent

“Everyone at the Calais school is devoted to offering support for families and is responsive to changing requests and needs through PTO and Parent Support Meetings. If you are looking for a new learning environment for your child, the Calais school is definitely worth a look.”

Parent

“I can’t say enough about the warm, loving approach this school community offers. They have spent countless hours of patience and thought devising a plan for our son’s success. He is thriving academically and socially. Everyone from the Directors to counselors, therapists, teachers and aides bring an individualized approach-making sure that each child thrives and learns in their own unique way.”

Parent

“We wanted to say thank you for your commitment and effort in teaching and guiding our son… he grew and developed under your guidance, until he was ready to go to the mainstream full time. My husband and I are so grateful that we found Calais School. You carried us through some of the toughest times in Nathaniel’s development.”

Hannah B., Parent

“Upon meeting with members of The Calais School hearing what type of services would be offered to help our son, we knew The Calais School was the missing piece to our puzzle! Because of the positive learning environment at The Calais School, coupled with cutting edge learning materials, we have seen wonderful growth academically. The teachers are very well trained to help a child succeed while building their confidence. Because of the nurturing environment at the school, our son’s confidence has grown and he now realizes that he can be a success in life.”

Parents

“Our son has been a student at The Calais School and we have seen enormous progress academically, socially and very importantly emotionally. The exceptional teachers and counselors have been an essential part of his success. The nurturing staff gave him the tools to strengthen his capabilities to deal and navigate through stressful situations. This has been very important as he has learned to not only handle the stressful situations but also advocate for himself in certain challenging situations. This has made him a very happy and confident young man, and for that we are very appreciative.”

Parents

“My child has benefited from going to The Calais School because the faculty understands my child’s academic and social needs. They find strengths and weaknesses in those areas and build on them in his educational program.”

Parent

“The Calais Staff has literally saved our son’s life. THEY ALL TRULY CARE about OUR child. I wish they had more schools that specialize in our children’s needs like The Calais School. We are very happy to share with you that our son is now a senior and is looking ahead at college to continue his education.”

Parents

“My child has benefited from going to The Calais School because the faculty understands my child’s academic and social needs. They find strengths and weaknesses in those areas and build on them in his educational programs.”

Parent

“… I had a great time volunteering with the younger kids. Most of my teachers were great, and I really learned a lot from them. I think Calais is the perfect school for kids with special needs. If I could I would want to work there as a teacher’s aide. That would be my dream job.”

Former Student

“The entire staff at The Calais School are very supportive… I love everyone equally. They all work very hard to make me feel comfortable and help me to succeed. When I first came to The Calais School, all of counselors helped me work through my anxiety which makes them even more special to me.”

Sydney L.

“The Calais School helped prepare me for the future because they taught me how to open up and express my feelings. I learned not to be afraid to ask any questions. And I learned how to let people love me.”

Syhmonie C.

“Calais has prepared me for the future by helping me come over my depression and anxiety and allowed me to look at things in a way so I can deal with them like I didn’t know I could.”

Jon D.

“The people of Calais are like family to me. Each one of us are all different, but we accept each other for who we are. I tried my absolute best here by turning every obstacle into opportunities to succeed. I have no regrets. Calais has made me who I am today. It has given me the opportunity and the voice to share my story.”

Amanda C.

“I am a graduate of The Calais School. I am honored and proud to say that I graduated from Calais 25 years ago. I have Tourette’s syndrome and I have to tell you that the seven years I spent at Calais were some of the best years of my life. I was able to be myself and not worry about what others thought. The staff was wonderful and worked hard not only with me but with all the students academically and personally.

I left here in 1989 with the self-confidence that I don’t think I would have gotten elsewhere. I have done so much with my life since graduating from The Calais School. I started a career in the film and television business, and have worked on films such as The Basketball Diaries, The Departed and a number of Indie films. I am a self-taught special effects make-up artist and a well-rounded artist. Right now I am in the process of filming a documentary about my life. The film follows my life with Tourette’s and the positive things that we all can do when we put our minds to it.

My message to everyone is: stay strong, be positive and don’t ever give up.”

Daniel F.

“Because of my experience at The Calais School, I have become a person which I thought could never have existed. My 10 years at Calais turned out to be rewarding and full of accomplishments. I look back and I really don’t know where I would be today if it wasn’t for this school. I have become a man…who is able to do so much more with my life than I could have ever dreamed of…and I give a big thanks to all who worked with me – it was time well spent.”

Doug M.