Student Services
Customized school programs to support a wide range of intellectual and developmental abilities.
“What sets Cushing apart is the quality of care, the levels of support, the campus setting and our long-standing history.
Come take a tour and see what Cushing has to offer.”
Nanette Rondeau
Director of Admissions
Our Schools
Hanover and Braintree, Mass
We are currently accepting new students on a rolling admissions basis, so your student can start at any time.
We will help you determine which programs are the best fit for individuals with complex developmental and intellectual disabilities, and behavioral and clinical challenges.
School Facts
Town Hanover, MA
School Style Campus
# of Students 98
Residential Option Yes
Vocational Training Yes
Total Teachers 15
Student Teacher Ratio 7:3
Bus Options Yes
Recreational Facilities Yes
Town Braintree, MA
School Style Single Building
# of Students 38
Residential Option No
Vocational Training Yes
Total Teachers 8
Student Teacher Ratio 5:3
Bus Options Yes
Recreational Facilities Yes
Please note: Students, teachers, and ratios are based on 2024 numbers.
Academic Programs
Customized Learning That Fits Your Student’s Abilities
Cushing provides students with mild to severe special needs a healthy environment for emotional, personal, and physical growth.
- Customized academic curriculum for a wide variety of abilities
- Small class sizes, licensed special ed teachers and dedicated support staff
- Technology instruction and assistive skill development
- Language, music, art, industrial arts and recreation programs
- Community access via field trips, volunteerism and more
- Access to counseling, behavioral supports, and nursing
- Occupational, physical, speech & language therapy
- Transition and vocational programs
- Parent supports and training
As your student grows, additional transitional programs and vocational training will be introduced to maximize their success.
Programing Questions?
Contact Nanette Rondeau
or call (781) 829-4672
“Performing arts, and especially music, are important to everyone’s mental and spiritual growth—but especially so for those who may not be able to express themselves fully with words.”
Cici Cimini
Performing Arts Instructor
"Cushing had multiple programs to choose from, and their staff helped us determine the best fit for our daughter's personality and needs."
-Jerry V - A Cushing Parent
Residential Programs
Living Together, Learning Together with 24 Hour Care
Find out if Residential Life is right for your student – where the fun, the experiences and the care never end.
Residential Students Enjoy All Academic Day Programs, Plus:
- Lively campus setting; live with friends
- 24 hour, awake supervision
- Low staff-to-student ratios
- Residences that look and feel like home
- Community outings for field trips, sports, groceries, etc.
- Independent living skills: hygiene, health and wellness, cooking, laundry and more
Transition and Vocational Services
Helping Your Student Transition From Student to Adult
For students ages 18-22, Cushing provides vocational training to help build confidence, learn valuable skills, and prepare for living and working in the community.
Transition Services Include:
- Career awareness and interest programs
- Self-advocacy and job acquisition skills
- Job coach encouragement and support
- Work experience opportunities on Cushing Campus
- Culinary, Business, Recycling, Industrial Arts, Garden options
- Comprehensive transition assessments
- Volunteer, internships and paid employment options
- Community employer network and supports
- CORE Program work skills
Vocational Programs
Career Awareness and Employment Skills
Vocational Programs
Quality instructional programs that aid students with career development, employment and transitions into Adult Programs
Our Goals:
- To assist students ages 18-22 in developing vocational skills
- To create a bridge from school to adult life through various opportunities
- To expose students to a wide range of workplace options
- To provide early vocational and transition services prior to graduation
Pathways to Success:
Our Vocational Programs provide every student with a continuum of career development opportunities that include:
- Classroom-based career awareness and interests
- Self-determination and self-advocacy skills
- Job acquisition skills
- Comprehensive transition assessment
- Work experience within the Cushing community
- Internships
- Group supportive employment
- Individual job coach supportive employment
- Inclusive community employment
- Employer natural supports
- Post-secondary education and training
Life Skills Programs
Self Advocacy and Career Interest Skills
Our Life Skills Programs are open to students ages 16+, upon the recommendations of their IEP teams and the classroom teachers.
Life Skills Programs are designed to serve students who are ready to begin exploring employability skills, while still benefitting from the continuity and consistency of learning in a self-contained setting. Students work in a classroom setting on the social, personal and work skills needed for the workplace – including following directions, cooperation, accepting supervision, good attendance and punctuality, and meeting the demands and quality of work. Students are encouraged to explore a broad selection of career options, to develop a variety of career skills and learn about various work environments and employer expectations.
Cushing Work Sites
MarketPlace, Culinary and Industrial Arts Training Opportunities
The Cushing MarketPlace
In 2020, Cushing completed a $10 million development of open-to-the-public storefronts at the Cushing Hanover campus. These four shops- collectively called the MarketPlace - provide the perfect training ground for students to practice employment skills – while also engaging with the greater South Shore Community.
Cushing Cafe - This modern and vibrant café is a popular spot for Cushing staff, students and the greater South Shore community to grab coffee, breakfast, pastries, soups, salads and sandwiches – to eat in or to take out. Students practice a wide range of skills at the Café, including serving customers, counting change, making food, washing dishes, cleaning, and keeping inventory.
Unique Boutique - This site sells artwork, crafts and gifts that were made by Cushing students and adults, as well as other people with disabilities from across the country. Retail work includes using the cash register, stocking shelves, pricing items, cleaning, and keeping inventory. Students also take classes to learn to make pottery, jewelry, candles, soaps and more – to keep the Unique Boutique shelves stocked.
Take 2 Thrift Shop - Take 2 accepts donations, and students help to sort, hang, price and store clothing, as well as learning the register, cleaning, and moving inventory. When not attending to customers, students sort containers by size, brand, distributor, and perform routine cleaning tasks.
Recycling Center - Recycling Center students learn to recycle cans, bottles and paper. They collect recycling from around campus, count returns, sort items, and perform routine cleaning tasks.
Cushing Greenhouse and Garden Shop - Cushing Greenhouse students wait on customers and sell seasonal plants and flowers. They also make quality craft items, such as candles, soap, candies, and dried flower arrangements, which are sold in the shop. Students enjoy planting seeds and seedlings, watering, and caring for the plants. Many students also enjoy physical labor (e.g., preparing the garden, harvesting the crops, and being outside).
The Culinary Arts Program
The Culinary Arts program assists the Food Service Department in preparing and serving meals to staff and students. Some of the jobs include: cleaning and setting up dining rooms, making salads and preparing sandwiches, cooking hot meals, making desserts, portioning and serving meals, bussing trays, and completing all dish room tasks according to sanitary guidelines. Students set the dining rooms and wait on tables, practicing their social skills as they interact with their customers.
The Woodworking and Industrial Arts program
The Woodworking and Industrial Arts program, part of our vocational offerings, allows students to work with wood and other raw materials. In addition to learning basic repair skills, program participants create items for their enjoyment and for sale in Cushing’s gift shop, the Unique Boutique. The Industrial Arts curriculum provides opportunities for enrichment in all areas—academic, social/emotional, and physical.
Add-On Programs and Public School Partnerships
Cushing and Non-Cushing Students
Cardinal Cushing Centers offers additional services to Cushing students, as well as non-Cushing students in conjunction with their public school. These programs, which meet both state and federal mandates, include:
- Learn-A-Skill - Cushing and non-Cushing students receive one-on-one training in a particular vocational field to better prepare for future job opportunities. Choose from Culinary, Business, Recycling, Industrial Arts, and Agriculture training.
- Vocational Assessment, Counseling and Placement – Cushing works with student, parents, agencies and IEP team to determine vocational options, suggest instruments and techniques to hone skills, and work to find an appropriate job match for the student.
- Evaluation & Consulting Services - Available to all, this offering allows students from Cushing or any school district to receive qualified testing for speech & language, OT, PT, assistive technology, and transition assessments by our licensed staff.
Recreational Programs and Special Olympics
Available to any member of the special needs community
- Recreational Add-Ons - Summer Camps, Field Trips, Games, Pool Time and Sports at our Hanover campus.
- Special Olympics - Come join Cushing’s Special Olympics team in basketball, soccer, flag football, softball, cheerleading, and more!
For More Information
Contact Tom McElman
or call (781) 829-1295
Student Life
Whether day or residential, Below are examples of a typical day
Cushing follows the same calendar as the local Hanover public school system.
Cushing Alumni Spotlight
An advocate for herself and others
For More Info
Contact Nanette Rondeau
or call (781) 829-4672
Additional Resources
Health and Behavioral Services
Our health and behavioral services team is comprised of three distinct clinical disciplines: Physical, Mental, and Behavioral Health. Learn More about our Clinical Services, 24-hour Nursing, or Behavior Care.
IEP Services
Our IEP services include: Therapy Services, Assistive Technology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Language.
Family Resources
Ideas and information from Cushing staff and outside organizations including: Helpful Links, Parent Advisory Group, Handbooks, and Transition Planning.