Maine’s special-purpose schools have long served as lifelines for students whose needs fall outside the scope of traditional education settings. These schools—known formally as special-purpose private schools (SPPSs)—offer a blend of academic instruction, clinical support, and therapeutic intervention that is uniquely designed for students with significant emotional, behavioral, developmental, or mental health needs.
While traditional public schools serve the broader student population with standardized curricula and limited individualized supports, SPPSs are designed for those who require more intensive, specialized attention. These schools are state-approved and serve as out-of-district placements made by local school administrative units (SAUs), ensuring that students receive the services and environment they need to thrive.
A Day at Old Town: Therapeutic Learning in Action
At the KidsPeace SPPS in Old Town, the day is carefully structured to balance academic instruction with therapeutic and clinical services. The school serves students from pre-K through age 22, all referred by their SAUs after it’s determined that mainstream schools cannot adequately meet their needs. Students participate in core academic subjects that mirror public school requirements, but with added layers of individualized instruction tailored to their IEP (Individualized Education Program) goals.
What sets the program apart is its seamless integration of related services—speech and occupational therapy, clinical therapy, nursing, and behavioral support—within the school day. Technology, play, and enrichment activities are also embedded into each student’s personalized schedule, creating a learning experience that is not only supportive but also engaging and motivating.
The goal? To help students stabilize, grow, and ultimately return to their home school districts when they’re ready.
“Everything we do here is about getting the child to a point where they can go back to their public school and succeed,” says Lindsae Kish, director of the Old Town program. “It’s about reintegration with dignity and support.”
The Orono Expansion: Meeting a Growing Need
The increasing demand for these services in Maine—especially in rural areas—has prompted KidsPeace to expand. The organization is currently in the process of opening a new special-purpose school location in Orono to meet the urgent need for early intervention and outpatient services. “The waitlist at our Old Town school has grown significantly over the past few years,” says Assistant Director Samantha Mcbreairty. “There are children in rural communities who need help now, and we knew we had to respond.”
The KidsPeace Orono Learning Center builds on the solid foundation of the Old Town model. The new school will offer the same comprehensive blend of academic and therapeutic services, provided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including speech and occupational therapists, licensed clinicians, behavioral analysts, and certified educators. Each child’s education is personalized and paired with the interventions necessary for emotional and academic growth.
A major strength of the KidsPeace approach is the close collaboration with local school districts. These partnerships have enabled smoother transitions for students returning to their home schools and have also contributed to successful referrals. The organization’s reputation for high-quality, holistic services has made it a trusted partner in Maine’s educational ecosystem.
Expansion into the Orono location also improves access to therapeutic services for students in need, in part by reducing travel times for families. It also carries with it economic benefits for the community at large, ranging from new employment opportunities for staff to local spending on operational needs, while also facilitating possible collaborations with institutions such as the University of Maine at Orono. Perhaps most importantly, it will ensure more kids and facilities enjoy the proven benefits of the integrated approach to therapeutic education – improving long-term outcomes for vulnerable youth.
“By expanding to Orono, we’re not just creating more seats—we’re expanding access to a better future for kids who desperately need specialized care,” adds Rachel Bousquet, executive director of KidsPeace New England.
Investing in the Future: Education for Staff
As KidsPeace continues to expand its footprint in Maine, it is also investing in the workforce that powers its programs, through a scholarship program for direct care associates, funded by a generous grant from The Farris Foundation. “This program is a game-changer,” says David Wheaton, KidsPeace human resources manager for Maine. “It helps us grow our skills while staying rooted in the work we care deeply about.”
“We’re not just educating students—we’re educating our staff, too,” says Bousquet. “It’s part of how we create a stronger, more sustainable workforce for Maine.”
