Challenging academics and self-advocacy training
Clarke's innovative K-8 Program offers a specialized education experience for students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Western Massachusetts.
Small Classes and Specialized Support
Clarke’s innovative K-8 Program offers specialized classrooms at both the Jackson Street Elementary School in Northampton, MA (kindergarten – fifth grade), and Hampshire Regional Middle School in Westhampton, MA (seventh and eighth grades).
The program offers Clarke’s kindergarten through eighth-grade students opportunities to take part in activities with their peers with typical hearing. By being located within mainstream schools, Clarke students are able to alternate between their own class time and shared time at lunch, gym, free time, art, music and sports with their peers who have typical hearing. This gradual and controlled exposure to a mainstream setting helps prepare students for success in high school and beyond.
Clarke K-8 students are taught by masters-level teachers of the deaf; receive speech and language therapy; and have access to on-site audiological support. Very small classroom sizes provide individualized attention, and classrooms are designed for the unique acoustical needs of children with hearing loss. All classes follow the Massachusetts curriculum.
What are parents saying about Clarke?
What the Clarke K-8 Program did for me and my family was life-changing. Clarke provided our family with hope, support, mentoring and encouragement, while connecting my son Austin with highly skilled teachers who taught him how to listen and speak in a caring and nurturing environment. I want all families to know the impact of Clarke’s work and how their children’s lives can be rich and full of possibilities too!
-Angela Bourbeau, K-8 Program alumni parent and member of the Clarke Leadership Council
Are you ready to learn more?
Outcomes
Families form partnerships with Clarke’s experienced staff to create a supportive team dedicated to the success and development of each child.
Students meet goals
Prepare students for the future
Students learn about their hearing loss
Our Stories
Madison
Meet Madison, a seven-year-old who was diagnosed with unilateral hearing loss at age five.
Read More »Daniel
Meet Daniel, a College Student with Usher’s Syndrome Majoring in Meteorology and Atmospheric Science.
Read More »Sofia
Meet Sofia, a Clarke Philadelphia alum from 2010, who is currently pursuing a Liberal Arts Degree from Smith College. Sofia...
Read More »Recent Clarke News
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The Jim Moran Foundation has provided Clarke Florida with several grants since 2020 totaling $40,000.