FAQs
Does Elan School use psychotropic medication?
No. Students succeed without psychotropic medication, including many who had been thought to require them.
Does Elan School offer open enrollment?
Elan offers rolling admissions. Students are admitted year-round.
Who is eligible for admission into Elan?
Elan can accept male and female students from the US and abroad, including special education students, for grades 8 – 12.
What is required for admission into Elan?
Admissions information typically includes current school, academic, behavioral and cognitive functioning, diagnostic assessments and relevant clinical information. We also interview parent(s). Elan admissions staff work with parents, education consultants, advocates and school district employees to determine whether a child is appropriate for Elan. If a student is not deemed appropriate for admission, we may suggest alternative placements and schools.
How quickly can Elan enroll a student?
At times, Elan is able to admit a student within a week of initial inquiry, after review of requested information and reports.
Does Elan School offer financial aid?
Elan does not offer financial assistance. However, resources for obtaining financial aid are listed on the Fees page of this website.
How are students transported to Elan School for admission?
A student’s parents or the sending public school system is responsible for transportation to Elan. Where requested, we will suggest transportation options and assistance.
What is the average length of stay?
Elan students stay an average of 24 to 30 months. A student’s length of stay is largely determined by his/her progress towards accomplishing goals established by family, Elan staff and the student.
What is the staff-to-student ratio?
1:6.
Does Elan School have background checks performed for all its employees?
Yes. All employees of Elan must pass a criminal background and license check. All employees are fingerprinted through the state of Maine system.
What are the qualifications of direct care staff at Elan?
Elan’s direct care staff members have a unique blend of academic backgrounds and personal experience. All are Education Tech IIIs, trained in CPR and the “Handle With Care” behavior intervention method (see www.handlewithcare.com). All direct care staff attend in-service trainings conducted by Elan’s clinical director, Jerry Sapan, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist. Dr. Sapan and Kate Hawkins, LMSW, work with students and their families as well as consulting with staff. (see the Life Skills section on the website for staff backgrounds).
How many students share a dorm room?
Elan has single-sex dormitories. Four to six students share a dorm room, depending on the room size.
Does Elan admit and provide accommodations for students with special educational needs?
Yes. Typically, approximately 25% of students enrolled in Elan have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Elan offers a special education program providing a balance between individualized and group instruction. Members of Elan’s academic staff are certified special education teachers. Elan’s special education director and teachers work collaboratively with school districts in developing and implementing IEP plans.
If a student enters Elan in the middle of a school term, will they have to repeat academic work they have already completed?
Elan, in collaboration with the sending school, decides whether the student will be given credit for current classes. If a student has partially completed a course offered at Elan, he/she may receive credit upon completion at Elan, on a case-by-case basis.
Are parents involved in students’ success at Elan?
Yes, family involvement and support is important to student success at Elan. Reestablishing family relationships over time is one of the core goals of Elan’s Life Skills Program.
What happens when my child turns 18?
At 18 years of age a student is legally free to leave Elan. Frequently however, parents, with the assistance of staff and other students, successfully influence a student to stay.
Do you offer religious services?
Elan is non-sectarian. Students may request to attend and participate in religious services.
How are student meals prepared?
Elan’s menu provides well-balanced meals, which are nutritionist-approved. Meals are prepared by Elan’s chef in the main kitchen and are served family-style to students.
Describe the athletic program at Elan?
Elan has a certified physical education instructor. In season, Elan has an active schedule of intramural sports. Elan’s teams, led by Coach Peter Rowe, have won numerous state championship titles in Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Boys Track and Field, and Boys Basketball. The athletic program is treated as an integral part of Elan’s Life Skills program. (See the Athletics section of the website for descriptions of recent athletic achievements and events.)