Transforming lives through education and career development

Baker Hall School transforms the lives of our community’s most challenged and challenging students through the highest levels of individual attention in special education, in a day and residential setting. We serve students in grades 7 through 12 who are educationally diagnosed with emotional disturbance, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities or traumatic brain injury.

Dedicated staff foster a trauma-sensitive environment that encourages growth, safety, responsibility, and respectful learning. We begin with the end in mind, with a goal to return the student to their school district, completion of high school, enrollment in college or preparation for employment.

Baker Hall has a robust Work Based Learning (WBL) program for students ages 14+ in order to assist in developing broad, transferable skills for postsecondary education and the workplace. Along with traditional coursework to meet graduation requirements, students will have an opportunity to earn a Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) credential after completing 200+ hours at a worksite.  

Each eligible high school student will be involved in a different “Career Track” (Food Service, Education, Hospitality and Entrepreneurship) while gaining valuable experiences at our 13 different worksites throughout the community.

Sites include: Mazurek's Bakery, WAYCafe, Green Eats, Erie County Botanical Garden, 7Eleven, Crunch Fitness, The Foundry, and more.

Baker Hall School is conveniently located at 777 Ridge Road in Lackawanna.  Call (716) 828-9737 for more information. 

• All referrals made through the home school districts Committee on Special Education (CSE)
• Licensed by the New York State Department of Education for educationally diagnosed students
• Staff trained in the use of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) designed to provide them with skills, knowledge and confidence in working with children in crisis
• Restorative Practices are infused into the culture of the building in order to help students process behavior and make better choices in the future with certified trainers, coaches and social workers on site
• Small class sizes between 6 and 8 students
• Each student assigned a Masters-level counselor to work with them and their family
• Proven success with students on Regents track in New York state
• Intermural Sports League (Winter 2022-23)
• Extensive transition planning for older students including pre-vocational and vocational classrooms and programs
• Interconnectivity of services at OLV Human Services means students have access to other specialized staff, services, and support