Mercy Centre

About Mercy Centre

Mercy Centre provides comprehensive educational and employment training opportunities for students with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, sensory impairments, auditory processing, and/or physical challenges combined with attentional, communication, motor, medical and/or behavioral involvement. It is designed to maximize a student's independence with the goal of full participation in his/her community in accordance with each student's IEP. It operates full-day sessions during regular school days, 180 days a year. A very low student/staff ratio allows for a high degree of individualized programming. Class sizes average 3-6 students per class.

At Mercy Centre more than just a classroom! In keeping with our philosophy of educating the whole child, focusing on the social, emotional and physical needs of students is an integral part of the program as well. Fun and friends are part of learning too! Numerous activities (including Young Women's club, Young Men' s Club, Big Music, Big Dance) are designed to foster social skills, increase peer interaction opportunities and build friendships. Mercy has its own basketball team and regularly competes in the Special Olympics. For interested students and parents, there is an optional religious education program, including First Communion and Confirmation classes and well as training for Eucharistic ministers and lay readers.

In order to maximize independence according to each student's needs, services may include any or all of our comprehensive services. The goal is to prepare students for the greatest amount of independence in adulthood. Learning about physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence and applying this information to our daily lives is an important life skill. This process often occurs step by step, and sometimes even inch by inch, culminating in a more confident student both in school and at home.

Our School to Work Component integrates functional academic learning with vocational training. Students learn more advanced independent living skills as well as acquire greater community awareness and social maturity. A significant amount of time is spent on employment and training, on and off site. Our School to Work Component, from orientation to job placement, is key to future independence. Community class is unique in that the application of independent living skills is practiced directly in the community.

Published research in addition to our own experience has proven to us that the link between home and school is crucial to our students success. That is why our school psychologist, in conjunction with our Home-School Liaison, works closely with families so that consistency and carry over can regularly occur.

To request information about the Educational Program please email us today. . . mcdirsped@ccworc.org.

Comprehensive Services
Comprehensive Services are offered to each student by integrating total communication, occupational, sensory integration, physical, and music therapies, psychological and home - school liaison services with functional academics, socialization, community awareness, independent living skills, human awareness skills, adaptive physical education and employment training.

Mercy Centre's Education Program provides collaborative services for students ages 6-21 in preparation for future greater independence. Interwoven into the academic curriculum is the learning of important new skills essential for self- sufficiency how to control behaviors and emotions, safety in the community, and getting along with others. Functional academic classes include science, math, reading, health, transitions, and community access, integrated with therapies and our school to work component (for students ages 14-22). This approach creates the foundation for the a whole person education that traditionally has been Mercy Centre's mission for over 45 years. This is accomplished by using a team approach, where all staff, classroom, therapies, and school to work, collaborate to use the most effective strategies for each student.