The Curry School is a comprehensive school of education touching all aspects of human development and education. We house a number of nationally recognized, research-based programs addressing the physical and psychological health and well-being of America’s children, youth, and adults. These programs include a top-ranked special education program, the well-known Young Women Leaders mentoring program, effective antibullying and school safety programs, and nationally recognized programs in kinesiology. The Curry School also provides valuable clinical services in areas such as psychology, counseling, and speech-language-hearing disorders to hundreds of children and families across the Commonwealth and nation.
We find that the challenges regarding children’s physical and emotional health and well-being may be as serious as the challenges to their academic achievement. Childhood onset of diabetes is on the rise, and the American Heart Association says that about 16 percent of all children and teens in the United States are overweight. A startling report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that at least one in five children and adolescents have a mental health disorder, and about 6 million young people suffer from a mental disorder severe enough to disrupt daily functioning. Left untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, and violence. The Curry School’s programs aim to foster the health and well-being of all children and directly address these threats to healthy development.
With support from private resources we will expand collaboration and promote comprehensive education programs for schools that will reach more students in more communities in more relevant ways. The result will be access for children to the full range of opportunities they need to help them grow into healthy adults, productive workers, nurturing parents, and responsible citizens.
