Chatham School

About Chatham

The Chatham school offers an education to some 150 students with special needs, primarily autism, Down syndrome, and multiple disabilities. The program focuses equally on academics and social-emotional learning to ensure students grow to reach their highest potential. An experienced team of caring staff members partners to fulfill every students’ Individualized Educational Program (IEP), including speech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, BCBAs (Board Certified Behavioral Analysts), and psychologists.

In addition, students enjoy as close as possible to a “typical” school experience with the extras, including extracurricular clubs and activities, field trips, proms, work experiences, and a beautiful, outdoor graduation ceremony in full cap-and-gown.

Transition to Adulthood

The road to preparing for adult life starts early! Students at age 14 begin to participate in a renowned Transition Program, featuring in-house work experiences. Following, in the years before graduation, students travel to actual businesses and nonprofit organizations to gain both hard and soft job skills. In the Seeking Knowledge for Independent Living (SKIL) program, students explore the type of job they might pursue after graduating at age 21, if a job is the best alternative.

Transition specialists from ECLC’s affiliate, Community Personnel Services, Inc., (CPS), create a roadmap for success for each student to follow after graduation. They help determine the best job, program, or other option for graduates. CPS staff eliminate the anxiety and worry, almost like falling off a cliff, that can occur at school without these important support services.

After graduation, students have two main potential paths. They can obtain a job with support from the Employment Specialists in CPS, or they can apply to enroll in ECLC’s PRIDE Adult Program, with centers in Florham Park, Parsippany, and Saddle Brook. No graduating student is left languishing at home!

Peer Connections

A unique offering at the Chatham school is a close, ongoing collaboration with nearby schools to nurture opportunities for inclusion. These programs, teams, and special events benefit both ECLC students and those from other schools, creating greater understanding and awareness.

• Participating in friendly field days, sports clinics, evening and after-school programs
• Competing on teams through the Special Olympics Unified Team
• Playing and socializing with students from Millburn High School in the award-winning PAIRS (Partners in Afterschool Inclusive Recreation for Special Needs) Program.
• Meeting Chatham High School through the “Teens Connecting with Teens” club and attending activity nights and special events.

Anti-Bullying

• New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR)
• For questions pertaining to the ABR or regulations/requirements related to HIB, contact the Office of Student Support Services at hib@doe.nj.gov or call (609) 376-9109.
• NJ DOE’s Harassment, Intimidation, or Bullying (HIB) Reporting Form for SY 2023-2024
• Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy
• Contact information of the Chatham School’s HIB Coordinator: Priscilla Guzman, email at pguzman@eclcofnj.org or call (973) 601-5418

Policies & Handbook

SY- 2025-2026-Parent/Student Handbook