Wondering if we steal “Difference is our common ground” from down below and make it our big headline? If we go this route, we could still use “At Orchard Friends, difference is our common ground”as the headline for section 4—or we could change it.
Orchard Friends is a small, private special education school in Riverton, New Jersey for neurodivergent students ages 5-21 who have struggled to learn in other educational environments. We offer an education that works for students representing a wide range of strengths, challenges, ages, and goals: a K-12 academic track, as well as college prep and vocational programming specifically for 15–21-year-olds to help them navigate the transition to young adulthood and into the working world.
At Orchard Friends, difference is our common ground.
Each of us learns differently because each of us is different: in our strengths, and our struggles. In our challenges and capabilities. In our past experiences, and our dreams for the future.
That’s why here, success isn’t standardized, and a diagnosis isn’t a definition. We recognize neurodivergence as a naturally-occurring variation to be celebrated and supported—not a deficit to be cured.
Our students reflect the world as it is. Our school represents education as it should be.
Orchard Friends’ mission is to enable learning by empowering learners. We believe all students have the fundamental right to learn. It’s our job to ensure they have the resources, support, and safety they need to make learning possible.
We don’t just believe that with the right tools, expertise, and learning environment, learning is possible for everyone—we know it, because we see it every day.
“Our goal is to get them back—to help our students until they can help themselves. To believe in them until they believe in themselves. To wrap them in love, belonging, and support as they build or rebuild the unshakeable confidence they need to navigate the world.”
— Beth DiPerna, Head of School
Sophia’s story
“I’d almost given up hope. We’d researched so many possible schools, and all of them were too far, too expensive, or just wrong for my daughter, Sophia. After one prospective school visit, I burst into tears. All I could think was, ‘That’s not my child.’
Then we discovered Orchard Friends—and everything changed. After meeting with Beth, I absolutely knew this was the right school for Sophia. The faculty and staff were AMAZING! They worked intensively with Sophia using a hands-on, multisensory approach. Her progress is a tribute to their expertise, personalized support, and dedication.
Four years after Orchard, Sophia is thriving, excelling in sports, art and interior design. She has her whole future planned out! She’s gone from believing that something was wrong with her to believing in who she is and all that she can achieve. She’s gained confidence and skills and grown tremendously in her relationships with others. She has dreams, focus, and direction. To know where Sophia came from, and then to see where she is today—it’s just amazing.”
Graduation is only the beginning.
Visit our students page to learn more.
Ready to learn outside the lines? We’d love to hear from you!
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