Intensive Education Academy

The goal of Intensive Education Academy, Inc. is to enable New England students in grades K-12, with Autism, Developmental Delay, Mild Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Speech & Language Impairment, and other challenges to become all they are meant to be - responsible and productive citizens.

The Intensive Education Academy (IEA) provides a sound and appropriate education to students with Autism, Developmental Delay, Mild Emotional Disturbance, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, Speech & Language Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Visual Impairment, Other Health Impairment, and ADD-ADHD. A five to one student/staff ratio makes it possible for all students to receive an individualized curriculum based on their specific needs. IEA offers a nurturing, small, structured setting with an emphasis on building self-esteem in a supportive environment that stimulates enthusiasm for learning. Through assessment and development of individualized education programs students are encouraged to develop their inherent potential.

A challenging academic curriculum, which also includes instruction in technology, music, art, physical education, culinary arts and character development/social skills. Through assessment and development of individual programs students are encouraged to develop their fullest potential. IEA is a day program. We have a standard school year. IEA, founded in 1971, is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian, private special education facility for students, ages five to twenty-one. The Academy is approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education with its teaching staff all state certified in Special Education. The majority of the teachers have advanced degrees.

Most of our students are identified under IDEA but others are struggling, unable to meet their potential in the regular classroom and in need of a smaller more individualized program.

Many children arrive at IEA with labels such as attention deficit, learning disabled, language impaired, autistic and slow to learn, among others. We avoid using the label and actively work to change the child’s (and sometimes the parents’) perception that they can’t learn. IEA provides a caring, supportive, structured and peaceful environment which offers individualized learning programs with a personalized experience that opens up new vistas of learning for each child.

IEA is dedicated to providing more than just ‘life skills’ to our students. While these are certainly imperative, the true measure of our success is providing students with real educational skills. We are always challenging ourselves to find new, intelligent and effective ways to communicate with our students. IEA staff constantly seek innovative technologies to bring new methods of learning into the classroom. Our programs are diverse, our scope is broad and our commitment to learning is complete.