Program Supervisor: Robyn Rocha
500 Chapin Street
Ludlow, MA
(413) 547-6301

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Program and Services

Located at Ludlow High School, the Compass Program for ages 6-22 is designed for students with severe to profound autism and related disabilities such as medical fragility. The program focuses on encouraging as much independence as appropriate in both the school and community settings. The classroom is well structured with a high staff to student ratio including 1:1 Individual Aides and Classroom Assistants. 1:1 Nursing is also available as indicated on the student’s IEP.

Opportunities for inclusion in non-academic and academic areas are available when appropriate. The program is designed to encourage the development of academic readiness skills as well as social skills, cooperative play, and hands-on pre-vocational activities, as indicated. Program activities also support the development of positive relationships with peers and adults.

Staff work diligently under the direction of a BCBA using principles of ABA to identify and reduce maladaptive behaviors with replacement behaviors. A variety of functional behavior assessments are utilized in order to inform positive behavior intervention plans. Staff work closely with families and outside providers to aid in the generalization of skills and facilitate student growth.

Admission Procedure

Special Education students are referred by their home district. The referral goes through a comprehensive review to determine appropriate placement. Students can be placed in this program as part of an extended evaluation.

Approval/ Licensing Accreditation

The Compass Program is an approved public day program by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE).

Special Education at LPVEC

LPVEC programs provide services to students aged 6 to 22 years who demonstrate a wide variety of exceptional learning needs. Key focus areas are autism, social-emotional and behavioral disabilities, school refusal, and developmental disabilities.