The Daytop Preparatory School

Since 2001, Daytop Preparatory School has been licensed to provide special education services to adolescents. The program serves students in recovery from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The school is filled with the spirit of love and hope for the young entrusted to it. In all things, the effort of all strives to recover the essential joy and innocence of Daytop students.

Daytop Preparatory School is dedicated to the mission of restoring hope and vision for a successful and joyful future to students experiencing life crisis and change. The school expands options and educational possibilities for young people who lost educational opportunities through addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. To achieve this mission, the school encourages personal growth in mind, heart, and spirit – these are the foundation of the Daytop New Jersey program.

Students are placed in classes through an assessment process including input from the sending school's guidance staff, district child study teams, review of IEPs, consultation with parents, and students. The initial placement also incorporates considerations of age, credit status, preparation for graduation, and other requirements. The initial placement process is done by the Principal who conducts an intensive entry interview with new students. This interview is the beginning process of learning to know the student and to understand the student's educational needs. In this interview the Principal assigns a Teacher Advisor to guide the student and to assure close contact with parents and school district personnel.

The Advisor acts as an advocate for the student and serves as the primary communicator with child study team personnel, district personnel, parents and other concerned parties. The Advisor meets with the student and gives advice and guidance for educational decisions and planning. The Advisor serves as the liaison representing Daytop Preparatory School at the student's IEP meetings and communicating with parents and guardians concerning student performance. Each Advisor is certified as a Teacher of the Handicapped with knowledge of regulations and requirements for special education services. The Advisor assures that all teachers who work with students are aware of accommodations and modifications to programs stipulated in IEPs.

Academic Programs
Daytop Preparatory School is housed in a state-of-the-art facility offering integrated technology in academic classes, a full gymnasium with extensive fitness equipment, and technically equipped music and art studios. Academic courses emphasize mastery of content, skills development application of learning to projects, and practical experiences. The school provides options: intensive small groups, and individual sessions in academic subject areas. In addition to core required academic subjects in Math, English, Social Studies and Science; the school prepares students for SAT, HSPA and other qualifying examinations.

Students choose courses in visual arts, technology, physical arts, and performing arts and join in a broad range of expressive experiences. Through these courses students are encouraged to express individual preferences and to develop individual talents. The elective program is structured to foster joyful learning experiences. The Art Program offers courses in sculpture, painting, print-making, and the study of art history. The Technology Program includes web design, power point, graphics, publishing, and programming. The Music Technology Program includes original music recording and production, playing traditional musical instruments, and small group performances. The Physical Education/Health Program offers gymnastics, weight training and fitness, team sports including volley ball, badminton, basketball, soccer, softball, and tennis.

Through the use of online courses and proprietary instructional software our students are given the opportunity to learn new languages as a credited coarse as an elective or as an independent study course. Furthermore we understand how important reading is in both academics and in broadening our students understanding of the world around them, so we have incorporated Kindle classes. Kindle tablets make it a bit more fun to read and learn, and leveraging the vast catalogue of materials they provide, Daytop Preparatory School's library resources are able to rival that of much larger learning institutions.