The Charlton School

Ketchum-Grande Memorial School/The Charlton School

The Ketchum-Grande school is the educational component of The Charlton School, a licensed and accredited Residential Treatment Center located in Burnt Hills.  While The Charlton School dates from 1895 as a program created to help at risk and abandoned children, the on-grounds school was established in 1980 in response to the ever-increasing special education needs of students referred for placement.  Over time as the number of students classified for special education increased, Ketchum-Grande sought and was approved by the NY State Education Department as a “853” Special Education School.  The approval permitted establishing a day program, an innovation which complimented the intensive special education and treatment programs delivered to residential students.  In the most recent development, school districts may now directly refer students classified for special education to the Ketchum-Grande Day Program.

The intensive and effective programming in special education and treatment, a hallmark of The Charlton School/Ketchum-Grande, has become recognized as a resource by local school districts that have adolescent female students with psychiatric involvement and are in need of a small, highly personalized educational setting.  Girls, with a wide range of emotional and educational disabilities interfering with educational attainment, can be served in Ketchum-Grande; however, the common denominator across all classification categories is the “psychologically and emotionally fragile” nature of our students.  Students requiring strong interpersonal relationships, emotional connection and regular counseling thrive in the programs while their families benefit from consistent parent counseling which prepares them and the students for successful return to their home schools.

Students from eighth to eleventh grade are prepared for Regents examinations and for other graduation requirements in core and elective subjects taught by certified teachers. Individual Education Plans (IEP) related service requirements are met by specialists.  Consultant special education teacher services are provided.  Ketchum-Grande also specializes in the creative arts, including expressive art, music and video technology classes.  There is also an Animal Care Program available.  The weekly meeting of our Child Study Team is integrated with the students’ therapists, teachers and our Board Certified Child Psychiatrist so all education and intervention plans are both individualized and comprehensive.  In all, there is now an important addition to services available to a unique student population that was heretofore not able to be served though local resources.  Questions regarding The Charlton School Residential Treatment Program and the Ketchum-Grande Day Program are welcome as are tours of the school. Contact: Candy Merchant 399-8182 ext. 404 or visit our web page at www.thecharltonschool.org.  Ketchum-Grande is also listed on the NYSED web site for approved schools.