Educational Day Programs 
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(Established 1998)

For Ages 7-21

Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center, Inc. is an approved Private Special Education School for students age 7 to 21. The goal of this program is to promote a quality community based educational program encompassing the life skills necessary for individuals to function more independently. We believe in a holistic approach that addresses all aspects of a young person’s life. Each student’s program is coordinated with his/her teachers, families, therapists, speech pathologists, and case managers input. Educational programs are designed based upon an individual education plan. Success- oriented, integrated group activities are designed according to age and developmental needs. As a person feels more successful and confident, all areas of his/her life improve.

DDS Day Program 
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(Established 1997)
For Ages 21+
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

The goal for this program is to provide community based experiences, promote independence in daily living skills. Each participants program follows DDS’ individualized plan and incorporates daily therapies as needed.

Extended Day Program
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(Established 1987)

For Ages 7 to 21

Hours: Mon – Fri 2:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m.

The goal of the Extended Day Program is to continue a students educational program and address transition skills necessary for increasing independence and generalizing skills in the following areas: pre-vocational, vocational, daily living, social and community. Daily programs vary, please call for detailed schedules.

*A six week summer program is also available please call for more information

Transition Academy
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(Established 2008)

For Ages 18-21

The goal of this residential and day program is to increase independence for students with Aspergers, high functioning autism/ non-verbal learning disorders. Individual programs are developed using the state transition standards and check list.

Friday Friends
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(Established 2006)

For Middle/High School Age Student

Fridays 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The goal of this program is to foster and instruct social skills in a community based setting. Students participate in opening and closing circles where activities are planned by participants for each week. Activities have included hanging out, bowling, board games, walks into town, sporting events, nature walks and holiday themed parties or dances.

Evening Social Programs
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(Established 1987)

For Ages 7 – Senior Citizens

Hours: Vary, Please Call

The goal of the evening programs is to help students and adults generalize daily living and social skills through weekly scheduled activities in the community and on-site. These programs meet throughout the week.

Evening Respite
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Lighthouse is excited to host this successful program for four more months!  The program is run out of our Groton school from 5:00-9:00pm and the evenings consist of art projects, sensory activities, and group games.  The participants provide their own dinner and we all sit down together to eat around 6:00.  The evenings have been fun-filled and casual. We have great staff at Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center and we tailored the schedule to accommodate a variety of interests!

Gallery at Lighthouse, Groton

(Established 2008)

Hours 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m Mon – Fri

Saturday by appointment

The Gallery at Lighthouse, Groton has been established as an Art Gallery / store front experience to provide opportunities for community interaction, social and life skill development for our students. The Gallery exists for the benefit and enrichment of the Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center’s students and staff, the citizens of Groton, the State of Connecticut, and for the public at large.

Digital Media Studio

(Established 2008)

Age 17+

The goal of these programs are to engage students identified with Aspergers syndrome in learning aspects of digital media careers as well as social skills needed in the work place. The environment requires students to ask questions, listen to responses and then make final decisions. They use state of art audio and video equipment that webcasters and newsrooms use today. New evening courses are offered each semester.

Summer Farm Program

(Established 2003)

For Middle/High School Age Students

The Farm Program meets for five weeks from 8am to 2pm. Students with mild to moderate disabilities go to various farms and local experiential programs for hands on activities.

Summer Friends Program

(Established 2006)

For Elementary/Middle/High School Age Students

Hours: 2:00 pm. to 5:00 p.m.

The goal of this program is to foster and instruct social skills in a community based setting. Each day begins with an opening circle where students review the activity for the day.

Weekly activities are planned and have included: drumming, arts and crafts, health and wellness, community day, “Iron-Chef” style cook-offs, beach day, and safety. Each day ends with a closing circle where student reflect on the day and discuss the next day’s events. Typical peers join the group to model social skills. Meets for five weeks.