Holmstead School prohibits acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Holmstead School believes that all students are entitled to work and study in a school­-related environment that is free of harassment, intimidation and bullying. Our mission is based on a philosophy of deep respect for the inherent worth of each individual, regard for the environment, and belief in the capacity for personal change. We commit ourselves to forming relationships with people so that each person may experience a sense of belonging, dignity and hope. It is through relationships that students and staff grow in self-understanding and self-esteem. Each person has the right to self-determination. Therefore, a safe and civil environment in school is necessary for our students to fulfill this mission and to learn and achieve high academic standards. Harassment, intimidation or bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, is conduct that disrupts both a student’s ability to learn and our ability to educate students in a safe environment, and therefore will not be tolerated.

Holmstead School is in session from 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. daily. College preparation skills as well as career development experiences are offered. Students are required to take six courses in a rotating schedule. This procedure minimizes anxiety about facing the same courses at the same time each day. Students are required to fulfill state-mandated course requirements but many electives are designed to provide a well-rounded curriculum. Students are encouraged to take an active part in the planning of their schedules, by selecting courses from the forty-five offered at Holmstead. These course selections are compiled by the Supervisor of Education in an effort to predict improvement, promote success, and increase motivation.

Incorporated into the school day is a one-hour required class called recreational arts, in which students fulfill physical education mandates and participate in organized activities. These include physical education, yearbook, art, music instruction, and the school newspaper. Field trips, which vary from the educational to the recreational, are offered periodically.

Holmstead School complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination by reason of race, color, creed, or national origin.

Therapeutic intervention on the part of highly skilled psychologists, social workers, and a student assistance counselor enables Holmstead students to participate in individual psychotherapy and group counseling. The staff includes male and female clinicians who afford students the opportunity to work with the professional with whom he/she relates most comfortably and productively. Sessions uphold confidentiality in order to build trust.

A parent support group, facilitated by Holmstead therapists, addresses issues of concern regarding adolescent interaction with family, peers, school, and the community.

Course-related educational plans in the form of student contracts are evaluated weekly by the faculty. These contracts enable teachers to keep a daily accurate account of academic and behavioral performance of each student. Weekly summaries are shared with students and emailed to parents bi-weekly. Each student meets regularly with a teacher/advisor to promote consistent program progress.

Formal evaluative reports, which include grades in each class, an attendance record and anecdotal summaries from each teacher, are prepared quarterly and disseminated to the child study teams by the director.

State (NJSLA) testing, a requirement for graduation, is facilitated on site at Holmstead. PSAT, SAT, ACT testing, transition planning, and college counseling are also provided.