Northwest Village School Celebrates Key Milestone: 40+ Years of Serving Students and Their Families

This year, Wheeler celebrates the 40th anniversary of the construction of Northwest Village School (NVS) but its delivery of therapeutic education services nearly spans our entire 55-plus-year history. 

Known in the early 1970s as the Therapeutic Education Unit (TEU), Wheeler’s program served students from K-12 with behavioral health, academic, social and other challenges who were referred by public school districts. Employing a transdisciplinary model, the NVS team of teachers, paraprofessionals, behavioral health ,and speech and occupational therapy clinicians worked collaboratively, across their disciplines, to help students thrive in school and beyond. 

This approach continues. 

Fast forward to 1983. With visionary guidance of Wheeler leadership, the organization planned for a major expansion of the Northwest Drive building and a capital campaign to support the effort. Construction was completed in time for the opening of the 1985 school year. The new 24,000-square-foot wing housed 13 state-of-the-art classrooms, along with space for a lunchroom, the library, meeting rooms and offices. 

In 2013, a renovation and expansion project—made possible by a $2-million grant from the State of Connecticut, as well as contributions from private foundations, corporations, individuals, and Wheeler—further enhanced the school’s learning environment. The project included a sensory-sensitive environment with engaging classrooms and additional space for smaller group learning; an expanded Media Center and new Literacy Lab; cutting-edge educational software and technology, including Smart Boards in every classroom, and a 10,000-square-foot multipurpose center housing a gym and performance stage. 

Today, the school continues to adapt to changes in the special education landscape. 

Wheeler President and Chief Executive Officer, Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA is both proud of NVS’s past and optimistic about its future. “This milestone is a testament to the hard word, vision, and creativity of organizational leaders and staff who came before us, as well as the commitment of our communities to provide students with positive learning experiences and preparation for life,” she said. “We believe in the unique potential of all youth, and our team will continue to find innovative ways to work together to engage students in academics, build their confidence and help them move forward in their learning.”