Strawbridge School

Strawbridge School

We stand for education that meets the unique needs of every student.

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A Specialized Educational Setting Where Every Child Thrives

At Strawbridge School, we provide a safe, supportive environment where students with complex needs can unlock their potential—academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Strawbridge School is a private non-profit, approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for students of all learning abilities. Our academic programs provide intentionally small, caring classroom settings guided by certified special education teachers and professionals. The Strawbridge School is a Type I Special Education program, serving individuals in both day and residential programs through a 10-month plus Extended School Year (ESY) program approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Who We Are

Strawbridge School is part of Everstand’s network of care, offering individualized, holistic education for students whose needs have not been met in traditional school settings. Every day, our team of educators, clinicians, and staff collaborate to create a structured, compassionate environment where children feel safe, valued, and equipped to succeed.

Strawbridge School is a therapeutic, special-education program within Everstand for students whose needs have not been met in traditional school settings. Every day, our team of educators, clinicians, and staff collaborate to create a structured, compassionate environment where children feel safe, valued, and equipped to succeed.

We provide a safe, structured, and deeply supportive environment where students not only learn academics but also discover coping skills, social connections, and self-worth. Here, every moment matters. From classroom learning to lunch and downtime, our days are intentionally designed to help children heal, grow, and thrive.

Key Differentiators:

  100% special education setting with individualized supports

  Academic programming rooted in evidence-based practices and approaches

  Trauma-informed care and Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)

 A safe and nurturing school culture where relationships come first

Who We Serve

Our students are bright, funny, and resilient—yet many come to us after experiencing school trauma, repeated academic struggles, or unmet behavioral health needs.

Public schools refer students to Strawbridge when they have exhausted other options. We serve youth who:

  • Need an individualized therapeutic environment to succeed academically
  • Are navigating trauma, the foster care system, or unstable home settings
  • Require intensive behavioral and clinical support alongside academics

Families find more than a school here. They find a partner who meets them at the door, ready to provide not only education but also essential supports like clothing, hygiene items, and food. At Strawbridge, students find:

  • Belonging: A safe place to be seen, heard, and supported.
  • Understanding: Staff who meet them “at the door” with compassion and consistency.
  • Opportunity: Tools, skills, and encouragement to thrive in school and in life.

“They may come to us with walls built from anger or shame—but over time, those walls come down, and kids begin to believe they are worthy of love, support, and success.”

The Whole Child Comes First

Strawbridge School is more than academics—it’s about preparing students for life. We believe success starts with healing. That’s why Strawbridge combines academics with trauma-informed care, therapeutic relationships, and individualized support.

Our approach includes:

  • Whole-Child Support: Addressing academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs.
  • Therapeutic Services and Relationships: Every student builds trust with staff who understand their experiences, and clinical care and individualized therapy sessions are embedded in our programming.
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS): Reinforcing positive behaviors with structured incentives.
  • Life Skills & Vocational Programming: Preparing students for future independence with hands-on learning, trade tours, and career exploration.
  • Embedded Therapy: Clinical support is integrated into each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
  • Social-Emotional Learning: Teaching coping strategies, emotional regulation, and communication skills.

Every moment is intentional—from classroom instruction to lunchtime routines—because every interaction helps build resilience and confidence.

Growth You Can See

Our students’ transformations are powerful. With time, patience, and support, they move from surviving to thriving. We measure success in milestones big and small:

  • Students moving from high levels of behavioral support to greater independence
  • Students learning to advocate for themselves and manage emotions in healthy ways.
  • Youth celebrating graduation and preparing for college, trade school, or careers.
  • Families finding stability and hope through wraparound supports.

Beyond statistics, we measure success in resilience, self-advocacy, and the joy of a child rediscovering their potential.

If you’re looking for a place that wants to understand and wants to help your child, not only academically but emotionally, this is the place. — Strawbridge Parent

 

 

An Academic Lifeline for Vulnerable Youth

Without Strawbridge School, too many students would face re-traumatization in classrooms unequipped to meet their needs. Some would disengage entirely, aging out or dropping out. Others could face the justice system rather than a graduation stage.

We provide an alternative: a place where students can rebuild their confidence, gain essential life skills, and experience academic and personal success.

 

 

Resilience Every Day. Hope for Tomorrow.

Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and capable of success. Our vision is to keep growing a culture of resilience, compassion, and possibility. We will continue to prioritize and expand life skills and vocational programming, strengthening family partnerships, and innovating our trauma-informed approaches, preparing even more students for a future filled with hope and opportunity.

At Strawbridge School, we believe every child deserves the chance to try again tomorrow—with the support of people who will never give up on them.

Join Us

You can be part of the transformation happening every day at Strawbridge School. Together, we can help students who have faced obstacles reclaim their voice, their confidence, and their future.