This year REACH has 7 classes, with a student population of approximately 65 students, aged 4 to 21 years. Each class has one teacher and one technician or attendant. Each class is composed so as to offer best learning potential for the students in a relatively homogeneous group.
The school's vision addresses the needs of a safe and caring community of learners that fosters individual growth and autonomy.
REACH promotes the autonomy and development of its students with intellectual and/or pervasive developmental challenges, such as autism spectrum, Down's syndrome (trisomy 21) and many other conditions, through programs of life skills, social skills, personal development, and functional academics; at the same time, enriching its students lives through many other exciting, innovative and meaningful experiences with sports, music, the arts, communication and language building, and specifically with occupational therapy services.
Some of the school's annual events include a Welcome Back Corn Roast, Meet the Staff/Annual GB General Assembly, the Graduation Exercise, holiday concerts, special outings ( e.g. Granby Zoo in June) and activities such as participation in the Defi Sportif.
One of REACH's great assets is its participation in McGill's "Double Challenge Program". In this program, all students spend one morning a week at McGill University, for a period of about ten weeks, where they are paired with a McGill special education student and have access to an extensive range of specialized facilities.
Each Thursday, several of the older students prepare ‘Yummy lunches' for all the school population, responsible for planning the menu, the budget, shopping and, of course, preparation and serving.
REACH has a focus on being as environmentally conscious as possible and many efforts to be more ecologically responsible within the school, the community and in the world are undertaken. They re-cycle, re-use, and reduce in many ways.
REACH has regularly participated in Arts Smarts, which partners with an artist from the community to come in and work with the students.
Some students learn important life and job skills at their work-study placements at such stores as Winners, Pharmaprix ToysRUs and Zellers. To facilitate this program, REACH has its own "travel trainer", who assists the students in using public transportation and, where necessary, in fulfilling their on-the-job responsibilities.
The children enjoy easy access to nearby community facilities, such as swimming at the community pool, visits to local parks, and field, the arena and gymnasium, which are all within walking distance through residential streets.
Typically REACH hosts work study students from McGill’s Occupational Therapy Department as well as from several local CEGEP programs. This year, Langmobile offered a summer day camp for the week before the new 2010/11 school year began. 
This was the 3rd year that REACH was able to hire its own Occupational Therapist, Mme. Carole Laliberte. This is an undertaking and special initiative of the parents who raise money for this vital service which we now enjoy 2 days a week. REACH also has speech therapy services and a music specialist.
REACH School serves the communities of St. Lambert, Greenfield Park, Longueuil, St. Hubert, Brossard, St. Bruno, Ste. Hilaire, Chambly, La Prairie, Candiac, Beloeil, Carignan, St. Julie and all other territories of Riverside School Board.
To contact REACH School: 450-671-1649 Here is The Riverside School Board link for REACH School.
