The Orchard Program

The Orchard Program

The Orchard Program at ACES Bassett Road School provides comprehensive special education services to students ages 3 through 14 from school districts across Connecticut. The program includes both the Integrated Preschool Program and school-age classrooms serving students through Grade 8 who present with significant cognitive disabilities and a wide range of communication, behavioral, medical, physical, and learning support needs.

Students benefit from a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that includes speech-language, occupational and physical therapy, behavioral services, social work, adaptive physical education, music therapy, nursing, and other related services as identified through the IEP process. Through individualized programming and evidence-based practices, the Orchard Program empowers students to maximize their potential and build the skills needed for success at school, home, and in the community.

Across all Orchard Program classrooms, instruction is designed to promote meaningful progress toward each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals while emphasizing academic achievement, communication, independence, social-emotional growth, and functional life skills.

Integrated Preschool Program

The Integrated Preschool Program (ages 3-5) provides a nurturing, inclusive learning environment where preschool students with special needs learn alongside their typically developing peers through developmentally appropriate, play-based, and curriculum-driven experiences. Guided by the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards, the program promotes growth across all developmental domains, including social-emotional development, communication, cognition, early literacy and mathematics, physical development, and creative expression. Students benefit from small class sizes, individualized support, and a rich educational experience that includes technology integration, weekly music and physical education, field trips, and participation in school-wide activities. Through strong partnerships with families and a focus on building independence and foundational skills, the program prepares every child for a successful transition to kindergarten.

 Program Benefits

“My daughter is in the top reading group, has the best handwriting in her class, and knew all sight words upon arrival to kindergarten thanks to Village Preschool.”

- Janet Gray, parent of a former student

ACES Integrated Preschool Open House