FL Chamberlain School

Chamberlain School is a place where the student really does come first. It is a well-maintained, well staffed place that has the capacity to respond to a range of emotional and behavioral needs. You won't find this a place of kids who have a single disability. Some of the college prep academics could use upgrading, especially in the area of sciences, but they offer foreign languages and kids get into good colleges. For those who are not going on to college, there are community placement opportunities and options such as building cars, working on engines, and working at the "Y" and more. There are travel opportunities and a range of activities. Chamberlain does not have very competitive sports teams and they do not have a gym, but they work on recreational sports. I've seen the students playing soccer and shooting hoops. I think that they value cooperation over competition.

If you are looking for a picturesque setting without much else you have found the place. Education is not on the forefront here as this is a "therapeutic" school, kids are taken on nightly visits to local spots for entertainment money that could be well spent on education. Some of the residential staff look like inner city tough guys who are there to restrain the kids if they get out of hand. My son has made no academic progress here!! And he is educable! Only one reading teacher for 100 students many of whom have reading issues, only one speech and language therapist who can only deliver a minimum of services no matter how much your child needs. If you are looking for a less restrictive place than a jail then this is it as the mentality here is more incarceration than education
--Submitted by a parent

I attended here for 9 months (2007-2008) for depression. I'm sad to say that for all the time I spent, the school was not helpful at all. Academics were absolutely terrible. One one-sided worksheet in math could last my class two weeks because it moved so slowly, and more often than not teachers were dealing with ill-behaved kids than actually teaching. No homework was ever assigned. Residential life was a joke. The residential staff were random people hired from the tougher parts of MA with only a high school diploma and no training in ED students. Essentially, they were babysitters, as they usually just kept a bare minimum of peace and rarely disciplined children. The therapeutic aspect? My therapist was so bad the school eventually allowed me to stop seeing him. Your kid might need help, but send him to a school that can actually help him. FLC talks big but delivers nothing.
--Submitted by a student

This school has given my son a chance to have a life, academically,socially & emotionally. I fought for over a year to get the Dept. of Ed.,NYC to agree to fund the FL Chamberlain School in Ma. It has been the best thing for all of us. He has made great strides since attending here & we are so thankful. We can rest comfortabley knowing he is in a safe, nurturing environment. I cannot say enough about this school.
--Submitted by a parent

I worked at this school as a manager and feel their policies for student safety were horrible, they believe in 'restrain first, talk later!' I would never have my child in this school, highly unprofessional.

This is a student at F.L.Chamberlain and the school is a very good school but there are things that have been said are going to be done but never are or just dont happen in enough time. Even though the school has helped me alot I still would not suggest sending a student here due to the physical nature of some staff and that is truley how i feel
--Submitted by a student

I have been a student at Chamberlain since late 2006. Their are tons of postives about this school. For example, the staff in the school department are incredibally caring and actually give you the time of day when you are having difficulty. The residential department is structured and have really good meals. But overall I really enjoy going to this school.
--Submitted by a student

Unfortunately, over the past year this school has really stumbled and the academic program has suffered. IEP's are not written and delivered in a timely manner, phone calls are not returned in a timely manner, and the there is much finger pointing between departments as to why things are not getting done. Communication, or lack thereof, is a major problem at this school.
--Submitted by an administrator