History

Pineland Learning Center opened in 1980 with a handful of students. One year later, the school relocated to the current site of Pineland Lower Elementary School on Irving Avenue in Carmel. A few years later, the West and Heilprin Avenues building was added. As time passed, our determination to make a difference for children of difference was strengthened.

From the beginning, discipline and structure have been the foundations of the program. Increasingly, it became obvious that the school could not progress as an entity, and the students could not progress as individuals, unless the behavior program was refined to meet the growing enrollment. Thus, the highly-effective behavior management structure continued to advance with the addition of Crisis Prevention Institute training and the establishment of our Crisis Intervention Program. All staff members become certified, and our staff includes CPI certified trainers.

As PLC successfully addressed the behavioral difficulties, academic development and enhanced student services became high priorities, necessitating the addition of specialized multi-disciplinary personnel and advanced programming. PLC's staff grew to include school psychologists, social workers, LDT-C's, occupational and speech therapists and reading specialists. The clinical staff embraces a multi-systemic, culturally sensitive approach to our students and their families.

PLC was initially awarded Middle States Commission accreditation in 1997. In September 2004, PLC expanded and opened our 12-acre, 7th through 12th grade campus in Vineland. In May 2008, the Middle States Commission re-conferred accreditation for a seven-year period.

PLC is successful in identifying with students by understanding the turmoil in their lives, the perception of constantly fighting an uphill battle, being filled with self-doubt and feeling ostracized. Above all, the staff shares their hope and fierce determination to succeed.

The future at PLC is bright. As our 30th anniversary nears, PLC is optimally positioned and eager to continue making a positive difference for students, families and districts.

Our staff continually strives to keep their knowledge and skill base contemporary, and stay informed of the latest developments in their respective fields.