Best Special Needs Schools in Thompson, Connecticut (2026)

River Run Academy is the clinical day school at the Susan Wayne Center of Excellence in Thompson, Connecticut. It provides intensive educational, vocational, and clinical services for students with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment, some of whom also experience concurrent mental health, behavioral, or medical issues. The school serves students from 5th grade through 12th grade, with transitional and vocational services extending to age 22. Academic instruction follows Common Core standards and is differentiated for each student on a year-round schedule. Supportive services include access to a psychiatrist, language disorder specialist, occupational therapy when appropriate, daily clinical support, and weekly individual therapy. Students are referred through their local public school districts as part of the IEP process. The program uses a trauma-informed Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC) model across all settings. Transitional and vocational programming emphasizes life skills through community experiences and hands-on activities.

• Private special education day school
• Mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment
• Mental health challenges
• Behavioral challenges