A Philosophy of Self-Confidence

Since 1893, Stewart Home School has provided a community where people live in a nurturing environment, and participate in programs designed to specifically meet their individual needs. Our Students pursue skills in self-sufficiency, academics, and vocational programs in a non-frustrating environment that stimulates self-confidence, which encourages learning and personal happiness.

We Believe that intellectually disabled persons deserve every opportunity and choice. We offer one choice. Our philosophy embraces an understanding of each intellectually disabled person as an individual - one who desires meaningful activity, success, friendships and acceptance.

We Believe that the emotional problems that often occur as a result of frustrations can create a handicapping effect - an effect which produces fear of failure, loss of self-esteem, and loneliness.

We Believe a special residential community that offers the opportunity for continuing education, work, companionship, recreation, and maximum development can present opportunities that might just make dreams come true.

We Believe in an atmosphere of acceptance. The foundation of such an aim is to first see each Student as a learner, then to provide motivational programming for the expression of his or her skills. Individual goals are the answer to meeting individual needs; they change developmentally.

We Believe that a parent, in seeking an environment for his child, knows the limitations of society when it comes to opportunity and acceptance. Mainstreaming and the "normalization principle" settings, which offer short-term segregated populations, are not the answer for everyone. To many families, the Stewart Home School community and its philosophy represents an exciting choice.

Our Mission