Saint Katherine Day School
Saint Katherine Day School is a special education facility located in Wynnewood for students who are 4 1/2 to 15 years old and in Radnor at Archbishop Carroll High school for students who are 15 to 21 years old. We also have three classes for the multiply Impaired students at the Wynnewood Campus for students 4 1/2 to 21 years who have both physical and cognitive challenges. We serve children who are cognitively challenged and developmentally delayed with an I.Q. ranging from 20 through 75 as well as some multiply handicapped students who are both physically and mentally challenged. Our children come from areas in North, South, Southwest Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware Counties. We offer a life skills program encouraging independence and self help skills at the youngest levels. We offer training in work skills and work experiences especially at the high school. We offer small group speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. We also offer music therapy and adaptive physical education on a weekly basis.
Our Mission
Saint Katherine Day School provides an individualized special education in a Catholic environment for children and young adults with developmental delay or mental retardation. Students are guided toward the fulfillment of their highest potential.
~We teach and live the Catholic Faith.
~We empower our students to express the love and respect they receive.
~We help students connect with the world.
~We challenge each student to develop his/her abilities.
~We promote personal physical wellness.
~We lead students and families to services for life long support.
History of St. Katherine Day School
Saint Katherine Day School began with a need and a vision. Catholic families needed a safe place to send their child that has a disability. They wanted their son or daughter to be nurtured in a faith –centered environment. Bishop Graham in conjunction with the Sisters of Mercy supplied the vision. For over 50 years, SKDS has supplied not only a safe placement for students with disabilities, but also a place where student’s gifts and achievements are recognized and celebrated. Curriculum has changed with the times, but our Catholic identity remains. Students are encouraged to become active, contributing members of society. Many of our students work or volunteer in their communities. All of our students are encouraged to become as independent as possible. Needs and visions still drive our program today. There is a great need for society to accept our students and to recognize their contributions as essential. Through our student’s involvement in the community and their living witness to Christian values, the vision of St. Katherine’s has evolved. St. Katherine’s was started to fill a need expressed by Catholic parents of special needs children and that vision has evolved into society having a greater appreciation for God’s treasures.