Mount Pleasant Academy (MPA) FAQs What type of school is MPA? MPA is a private, alternative school for children with significant psychiatric, emotional, or behavioral difficulties.  We also provide services for children with learning disabilities, although that is usually not the primary reason for referral to MPA.  MPA has become an effective alternative to inpatient hospitalization for many of its students. How are students referred to MPA? Most times, public school special education departments will refer a student to us if the school department is no longer able to meet the child’s needs within the school district.  A parent must agree to the child being referred to MPA.  After we receive a referral packet, we’ll contact the family, invite them to tour the facility, and then contact the Local Education Authority (LEA) as to whether we think that the student is an appropriate candidate for admission. How long does it take for a student to be admitted? Depending on when we get the referral packet, and how quickly the parent can come in for a tour, we can usually admit within one week of receipt of the referral information.  We routinely have a waiting list for placement.  Our capacity is 34-36 students. What type of services will students receive? Self-contained classrooms, with no more than 7 students per room.  Each room is staffed with a special education teacher, regular education teacher, and half-time teaching assistant. Individualized academics. Daily group therapy. Weekly Individual counseling. Psychiatric services. Family therapy. Case management services for the child and his/her family. Occupational therapy on site. Speech/language therapy on site. Medication management as needed. On site school nursing services. Psychological testing/assessment. 225-day school year. 24/7 emergency services available. School lunch and breakfast program. Who pays for the child’s tuition? Tuition is paid by the referring school district. How long do students remain at MPA?  The length of stay varies with each child, depending on his/her needs.  Some children may need to stay at MPA and get full benefit from all its services from kindergarten through the end of grade 6.  Others may be able to meet their goals and transition to a less restrictive placement in 18-20 months.  Occasionally, MPA will admit a student for a 9-week “diagnostic” placement---a period of time where we can help the referring school district and the child’s family assess what might be causing some of the emotional or behavioral issues with the child, and offer some recommendations to help meet the child’s needs.   How long is the school day and school year?   The school day begins at 7:45 AM and ends at 2:15 PM during the regular school year.  Our school calendar is very similar to most public school calendars.  We also have a 45-day summer program (Extended School Year), in which the hours are 8:45 AM – 2 PM, with noon dismissals on Fridays.  Our summer session provides students with the opportunity for structure throughout the summer months, ongoing clinical and psychiatric services, academic remediation, swimming, recreational opportunities, and time in the community.