Spire’s individualized model enables core academics to be enriched by a variety of interdisciplinary and elective courses, depending on a student’s interest. Such electives have included computer science, environmental studies, mixed media art, and music theory, among many others. Across the curriculum, Spire’s goal is to create a supportive and collaborative community where every student can be a successful learner.
Curriculum
Spire’s academic curriculum, which is aligned to the Connecticut Core Standards, is taught by a passionate group of a subject area and special education certified teachers. Spire recognizes that students develop the confidence to take on challenges when academic expectations are high and obtainable. As such, Spire offers standard, honors, AP, and UConn ECE coursework to effectively challenge our students in the classroom, while providing the skills and emotional support to be successful in their independent learning.
We appreciate that high standards, quality curriculum, and an individualized approach to student learning and skill development best prepare our students for life after Spire.
Senior Internship
During the last month of the school year, seniors have the opportunity to engage in an unpaid work experience outside the classroom to benefit from the exploration of career options, hands-on learning, journaling, independent decision-making, and a myriad of skills helpful in a student's transition to life outside of Spire.
Following their internship, all participating seniors present at our Senior Symposium to describe their on-the-job experiences with our staff and students. This is a wonderful opportunity for our seniors to reflect upon and communicate about their internship placements and to provide their younger peers with ideas and motivation for their educational and career goals.
Spire's Senior Internship Experience is designed to:
- Provide students with the opportunity to become productive and responsible citizens of the 21st century.
- Allow students to explore an area of interest outside the constructs of their formal educational program.
- Provide students an opportunity to make a smoother transition from high school to college, the workplace, or military service by fostering independent decision-making skills
- Help students explore a career interest or service opportunity in a field prior to beginning formal training in college or another post-secondary schooling.
- Give students the opportunity to pursue their unique interests, passions, and talents with hands-on job experience.
Arts & Music
The arts provide an alternative means of self-expression and can be of particular interest to students who are coping with emotional challenges. Our instructors work with students of all abilities to build knowledge and skills in areas related to the visual and performing arts:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Individual instruments
- Music theory
- Photography
- Digital media
InSPIREd Summer
The 2026 summer program runs from July 6 through July 30 on Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 2:45 pm.
Our summer program provides students with a highly individualized educational and therapeutic experience. Our program consists of academic coursework, elective classes, and executive function skills in the morning and therapeutic group work in the afternoon. The summer session is tailored to an individual student's academic credit, content, and/or skill-based needs, as well as therapeutic goals.
For additional information or to enroll in Spire's Summer Program, please contact our Education Director, Lisa Strom.