ELD School Locations, Programs & Principals

Our Programs Are Offered at Three Locations, see below for what is offered and where. 

• BEARS | BOCES Educating Autistic and Related Disorders Students
• 6-1-1 HIgh School Program
• GED - High School Equivalency Diploma Preparation
• School to Work
• TSP | Therapeutic Support Program

Sanford Street is a school for emotionally and behaviorally disabled children in grades K-6.

Its small classes enable us to create individualize programs and academics for each child, during both the regular school year and extended school year. The school’s small size – eleven classrooms with a 6:1:1 ratio – enables us to individualize programs and academics for each child.

The program is based on an ecological-collaborative model with multiple theoretical bases. Special education teachers, mental health practitioners, and allied health professionals work together as a community to help each child develop appropriate self-management and self-awareness skills, which allows them to function as independently and responsibly as possible.

Our goals are:

• Address child specific targets
• Learn specific social skills, reduce specific behavior problems, increase appropriate replacement behaviors, foster appropriate expressions of emotions
• Communicate regularly with parents
• Improve academic functioning
• Help stabilize and return the child to a less restrictive placement

Services include:

Standards Based Instruction

Academics are provided by a team approach. Teachers coordinate curriculum along a research-based continuum, aligned with the NYS Learning Standards. Related service professionals support student learning as indicated by each child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). Physical education, art, music, field trips, and community activities round out the instructional program. 

Clear Behavior Management Systems

Generally, many of our students have not developed self-management and self-awareness skills to an age-appropriate level. To help change dangerous, ineffective, or destructive behaviors, each classroom incorporates a variety of positive experiences that are contingent upon the student’s behavior. 

As a tool for measuring success, a behavior management level system is used in all classes. The level system enables students to earn privileges based on behavioral and academic performance. Students have an opportunity to earn points every 30 minutes during class and transition time. This enables them to learn and demonstrate socially responsible behavior.

Uniform Structure & Language

Our staff has developed a variety of practices and guidelines to ensure philosophical consistency as they interact with our pupils on a daily basis. The approaches and techniques are primarily therapeutically appropriate and educationally sound, and the management procedures respect the individual needs and dignity of our students.

Community Linkages

Our philosophy includes working with the whole family. We are committed to linking families with wraparound service providers. These services might include private and public counseling centers, social services, public health, supportive and intensive case management, hospitals, family services, community recreation, and respite.

Individual Behavior Plans

In addition to the classroom management plan, an Individual Management Plan may be developed for students based on a functional behavioral assessment. This includes an assessment of the child’s strengths, problem behaviors, the environmental events surrounding these behaviors, the suspected function of these behaviors, and recommended replacement behaviors. Intervention and monitoring strategies are also based on the functional behavioral assessment.

Dianna Collura, Principal for Special Programs
10 Sanford Street
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Phone: (518) 761-6964
Fax: (518) 761-0804
Email Dianna Collura

At SAEC, we offer a comprehensive range of programs for students in grades 7 to 12 who have social, emotional, and/or learning disabilities.

Small classroom sizes allow us to provide a great deal of individual attention. Teachers, counselors, and staff nurture students, helping them to achieve their personal goals. Students can also earn their GED or Regents diploma.

Individual programs available at the high school level include: