Preschool Programs

Cranford Public School District offers preschool for children ages 3-5 at Walnut Avenue School.

The Special Needs Assessment Program for Preschool Youngsters (S.N.A.P.P.Y.) is a half day preschool program which addresses the individual needs of preschool children, ages 3-5, who have been identified through evaluation and the Child Study Team evaluation process as having significant developmental delays. The program incorporates the goals and objectives of the students Individual Education Program (IEP), and it provides a framework that allows for the development of a curriculum unique to the specific needs of the children. 

The Regular Education and Delayed Youngsters (R.E.A.D.Y.) is a half day preschool program that is the inclusive component of the district's preschool disabled program, the R.E.A.D.Y. program seeks to bring together typical and special needs children (ages 3-5) in order to foster a natural, enriched preschool environment. The philosophy of the R.E.A.D.Y. program is based on the rationale that children learn through modeling and are motivated by other children. By integrating students with disabilities into typical preschool classes, maximum growth and development is achieved for all children.

Parents of regular education (typical) students are invited to submit an application to the program each year and placement is made through a lottery system, there is tuition charged for this program for regular education students.

Elementary Programs

The Cranford Public School District provides special education services to eligible elementary students through general education supports, in-class support and resource room replacement. Related services such as speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and behavioral support are also provided to eligible students. 

The district offers self-contained programs for students who require an intensive special education setting.

Bloomingdale Avenue School, Orange Avenue School and Walnut Avenue School offer Language and/or Learning Disabilities (LLD) classes. Students in the LLD classes are provided instruction by a special education teacher and receive individualized or small group instruction in required elements of their academic program. Students are provided opportunities to participate in the general education to the maximum extent possible as appropriate.

Hillside Avenue School offers an Autism Program for students who may require instruction utilizing principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and specialized teaching approaches.

Secondary Programs

Middle School Programs

Hillside Avenue and Orange Avenue Schools offer a full continuum of programs and related services to meet the individual needs of students with disabilities as determined by the Child Study Team. We are committed to the success of special education students in the least restrictive environment, which allows for learning to be done in a general education setting to the maximum extent appropriate.

High School Programs

Cranford High School provides a variety of special education programs at the high school level. As students enter, a dedicated high school Child Study Team works with students and families to select courses that support the implementation and programming of the IEP. The academic experience is guided by the IEP and the enriched instruction and materials within the classrooms.  The continuum of settings is maintained in the high school.