Woods Services vs. Vanguard School
Should you attend Woods Services or Vanguard School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
School Overview
Top Rankings
Woods Services ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
Vanguard School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
Overview
When people join the Woods' community, they enter a world of new relationships and exciting possibilities.
As they become comfortable and secure, they gain the self-confidence and the skills that will support their individual journeys.
Home-like residences, challenging educational and vocational programs, diverse program offerings and active family involvement are all key elements that help distinguish Woods Services as a program of excellence.
Each day, our clients are given new opportunities to achieve their personal goals.
With our support, they accept life's challenges, and together we celebrate their victories.
By building caring relationships and finding creative approaches, we help those we serve gain independence by reaching their full potential.
Woods serves people with exceptional needs during all stages of their lives.
Whether a child, adult or senior, the focus is always on the individual.
The Vanguard school provides comprehensive special education and clinical services with a unique focus on the individual student and his or her readiness for life. The Vanguard School offers an integrated approach to academic, social, community integration and career-transition skills within a supportive environment where the goal is for each student to become a contributing member of the community.
The Vanguard School offers PreK and Elementary School (ages 4-11), Middle School (ages 12-14), High School (ages 14-18) and Vanguard Transition Center (ages 18-21) programs. Additionally, specialized classes at The Vanguard School support students with complex needs who require highly individualized and specific instruction for success.
Across programs, we offer a diverse curriculum and a wide range of activities to support students' abilities and needs. Programs such as art, community-based instruction, music, daily living skills and physical education provide an opportunity for students to put into practice what they have learned in the classroom.
As part of The Vanguard School, the VTC offers post-secondary education support, career exploration, skills assessments, counseling, self-advocacy training and community-based vocational experiences.
Therapists and specialists are actively involved in the student's entire day and often co-treat across disciplines and consult with teachers and other professionals on a regular basis. Clinical services include speech-language, occupational and physical therapies, school psychology, school counseling, behavior support, nursing services and Board Certified Behavior Analysis. The clinical staff have extensive experience with special education populations and their unique educational and behavioral management needs.
Grades Offered
1-12
PK-12
Blue Ribbon School
No
No
Offers Post-Graduate Year
n/a
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
n/a
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
n/a
The school provides programs for students with Pennsylvania Department of Special Education exceptionalities including autism, emotional disturbance, speech-language impairment, specific learning disability and other health impairment.
Year Founded
n/a
1959
Students Body
Total Students
222 students
265 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
% Students of Color
50%
15%
Students by Grade
n/a
Students by Grade
Grade 1 Students
2
-
Grade 2 Students
2
-
Grade 3 Students
5
-
Grade 4 Students
3
-
Grade 6 Students
13
-
Grade 7 Students
17
-
Grade 9 Students
14
-
Grade 10 Students
20
-
Grade 11 Students
21
-
Grade 12 Students
125
-
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
80 teachers
Average Class Size
n/a
6
Teacher : Student Ratio
1:8
1:3
Classroom Dress Code
n/a
Casual
Finances and Admission
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
None / Rolling
Tuition Notes
n/a
In most cases, a student is placed here by the school district and parent, with the school district of residence funding the full tuition costs for new placements. The district continues to pay the full tuition costs until such time when state funding becomes available. There is limited funding through the PA Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of Special Education. When state funding does become available for a district placement, The Vanguard School contacts the school district which then submits the appropriate paperwork to PDE. If PDE approves the funding, costs for school-age students placed at The Vanguard School are shared between the school district of residence and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. A small percentage of parents have chosen to pay privately to place their child at The Vanguard School, in cases where state and district funding are unavailable.
Admissions Director
n/a
Anita Bilotta
Admissions Associate
n/a
Melissa Flowers
Extracurriculars
Total Extra-curric.Total Extracurriculars
n/a
4
Extra-curric.Extracurriculars
n/a
Drama - Annual Musical, Instrumental Music, Student Counsel, Vocal Music