Public school partnerships can make LightHouse accessible to more students.
LightHouse partners with Holyoke Public Schools and other local districts to serve students who are not thriving in a traditional school setting. In these placements, tuition is paid by the sending district.
For some students, a district-funded school placement at LightHouse can provide access to a smaller, more flexible educational setting.
Families are often the ones who begin the conversation. If your child is enrolled in public school and you believe LightHouse may be a better fit, you can ask your district whether a placement or partnership with LightHouse is possible.
LightHouse is a leading-edge learning lab, offering the future of education today—designed for the students who need it most.
For Holyoke Public Schools students
LightHouse is a longtime partner of Holyoke Public Schools and a founding member of Opportunity Academy, HPS’s network of alternative education options.
Students placed at LightHouse through Opportunity Academy remain enrolled in Holyoke Public Schools while attending LightHouse. They complete HPS graduation requirements and graduate with a Holyoke Public Schools diploma, while experiencing a highly personalized, competency-based education at LightHouse.
For students in other public school districts
LightHouse also works with districts throughout Western Massachusetts to create placements for students who need a different educational setting.
These arrangements vary by district and by student. Some placements are made through special education departments for students with IEPs; other partnership structures may also be possible.
If your child is struggling in their current public school, you can ask your school team or district whether LightHouse could be considered as an alternative placement.
Current district partnerships: Belchertown, Chicopee, Easthampton, East Longmeadow, Gill-Montague, Granby, Holyoke, Northampton, South Hadley, Westfield, West Springfield.
How to start the conversation
You do not need to wait for your district to suggest LightHouse.
Families can raise LightHouse with a guidance counselor, special education team, school administrator, or other district contact and ask whether a district-funded placement may be possible.
LightHouse is happy to talk with families first, explain how our existing partnerships work, and help you understand what questions to bring back to your district.
District-funded placements are limited and depend on district approval, available funding, student fit, and space at LightHouse.
"When I first came to LightHouse I was anxious due to my past experience at my old school. Over time, I have been able to prioritize my mental health and put mmyself out there. I have overcome my anxiety and achieved my academic goals, including graduating on time!"
Phoebeanna, Class of 2025
"LightHouse gave me a new understanding of schooling and how there are a variety of things that you can learn like carpentry, music, reading, and poetry. Every day I met someone new or was able to reconnect with someone. Every day was something new and positive."
Malajah, Class of 2022
"I felt more supported at LightHouse than I ever have anywhere else. One of the reasons that I have been able to stay motivated and work on things that I didn’t think I would be able to do is because I had a lot of great people surrounding me with support."
Tess, Class of 2024
Gratitude for Holyoke Partnership
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When everything about school is different, you will love learning.
