New 'Therapeutic' Middle School Opened In Bergen County This Week

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A new middle school with special services for students in grades six through eight opened in Bergen County this week.

CarePlus NJ, a nonprofit provider of integrated mental health, substance use disorder, and primary care services in North Jersey, said Paradigm Therapeutic Middle School was scheduled to open Thursday.

The school is for students "who need emotional and academic support," they said.

Nearly one in five kids ages 3-17 are diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, the group said.

"For many, challenges such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and learning differences contribute to school refusal and chronic absenteeism, issues that often emerge during middle school years," they noted.

Paradigm Therapeutic Middle School was created to change that. The school offers a trauma-informed, clinically supportive environment that integrates academics with counseling and individualized care, to help students succeed "in the classroom and life."

The New Jersey Department of Education approved the facility as a private school for students ages 10–13.

The Paradigm School System already blends education with clinical care, said the group, and this will expand supports they already offer to kids in grades 6-12.

Paradigm Therapeutic Day School was established in 2018 in response to a need within the education community, said the non-profit.

"Through our unique, transdisciplinary 'student-centered' model, students learn the skills they need to succeed," they said.

Paradigm Therapeutic Middle School is located on Ridgewood Road.

For more information, visit Paradigm here and www.careplusnj.org.