Therapeutic Preschool Model
High Hopes Therapeutic Preschool is launching fall 2026.
For more than 40 years, High Hopes has provided exceptional care, support, and education to thousands of children. As education continues to evolve and the needs of children and families shift, we recognize the importance of adapting our program to ensure we’re always providing the best environment for growth and learning. Our mission remains the same, but the way we carry it out must continue to evolve. With our core values and mission guiding us, we’re making thoughtful changes to position High Hopes for the next 40 years of excellence.
What is a Therapeutic Preschool?
A therapeutic preschool blends early childhood education with specialized therapy services, creating an environment that supports all areas of development- speech and language, motor skills, sensory regulation, social-emotional growth, and cognitive skills. This whole-child approach ensures that children receive individualized support to thrive both academically and socially.
Why a Therapeutic Preschool?
While High Hopes has always integrated aspects of a therapeutic preschool, it has become clear that a more comprehensive approach is needed. To truly support the unique abilities of our students, we are expanding and further investing in our school team to include credentialed educators and developmental specialists—physical, occupational, speech, feeding, and behavior therapists—who will work together to provide intentional, collaborative support and education for each child. We are committed to making the necessary adjustments to better serve every child and family.
Traditional Preschool vs. Therapeutic Preschool
We are excited to offer a more personalized, developmentally supportive approach to early education. Our therapeutic preschool model blends the best of traditional classroom learning with the expertise of on-site therapists, smaller class sizes, and a curriculum tailored to each child’s unique strengths and needs. To better understand how a therapeutic preschool model differs from a traditional preschool setting, view the comparison chart below.
Program Specifications
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Five-Day Program: Full-time enrollment ensures consistent, structured learning experiences that prepare each child for continued success.
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School hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday and 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM on Fridays. Hours are subject to change as program development continues.
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Friday Afternoons: Reserved for team collaboration, professional development, and family conferences. Hours are subject to change as program development continues.
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Optional Enrichment Programming: Enrichment activities (e.g., dance, music, art), available for an additional fee.
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Tuition Rates for 2026-27 to be determined.
Individual Therapy Sessions
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Infant/Toddler classrooms: Therapists from the High Hopes Therapy Clinic "push in" to classrooms during the school day to deliver individual therapy sessions. In addition, dedicated school-based therapists serve as valuable resources for teachers, offering additional support as needed to enhance student learning and development.
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Preschool/Pre-K classrooms: Therapists assigned to the school actively engage in various aspects of the school day. They contribute to planning, goal setting, data collection, small group instruction, and team meetings. Therapy provided during school hours is primarily focused on group interventions. The High Hopes Clinic will also offer individual therapy sessions by appointment before and after school hours. Classroom therapists will collaborate with clinic therapists to ensure a cohesive integration of therapy goals across both settings.
Additional Programing Possibilities
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Family Support Services
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Caregiver Educational Opportunities and Trainings
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Advocacy
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Transition Planning
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…And more!
Sample Pre-K Schedule
9:00am: Arrival & Free Play
Independent transition/routines
Sensory/Self-regulation
9:30am: Circle Time
led by teacher and supported by BT and ST
Social Skills/communication
Social/emotional learning
10:00am: Structured Learning Centers
led by teacher, ST, OT, BT
Small group academic and therapeutic activities, problem solving, attention, task completion, fine motor skills, communication, cognitive development
10:45am: Gross Motor/Outdoor Play
Cooperative play
Gross motor development
11:30am: Story Time/Reading
led by teacher and ST
Listening, comprehension, language development
12:00pm: Lunch
supported by FT
Conversation skills
Independent routines
Appropriate mealtime behavior and food exploration
12:30pm: Quiet Time/Nap
Engage in calming activities
Sensory regulation
Tolerance for quiet downtime
1:00pm: Structured Learning Centers
led by teacher, ST, OT, BT
Small group academic and therapeutic activities, problem solving, attention, task completion, fine motor skills, communication, cognitive development
1:45pm: Music & Movement
led by Music Therapist
Social skills, coordination, and emotional expression through music
2:15pm: Closing Circle
led by teacher and supported by BT and ST
Independent transitions/routines
Reflect/review day
Peer interactions
2:30pm: Snack/Free Play
supported by FT, ST, OT, BT
Appropriate mealtime behavior
Independent transitions/routines
Positive social interactions
3:00pm: Dismissal
supported by FT
Independent transitions/routines
