The Midland School

Founded in 1960, Midland is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization comprised of The Midland School, Midland Adult Programs, and The Midland Foundation. The Midland School, in North Branch, N.J., is a New Jersey Department of Education-approved private special education school. The School is dedicated to the individual, academic, social, emotional, and career education needs of students ages 3 through 21, with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

As leaders in the field, The Midland School promotes personal achievement and fosters independence through a diverse range of innovative programs and services, including individualized instruction; multi-sensory approach, Midland Preschool, life skills training, extracurricular/after school/respite programs, speech, occupational and physical therapies, BCBA, social worker and psychologist, bilingual/culturally diverse staff and a comprehensive school to work transition program. Midland teachers provide individualized education through an exceptional staff-to-student ratio. Each classroom is staffed with a teacher and paraprofessional specially trained to work with students with intellectual and physical disabilities. The Midland School has an outstanding nursing team to handle complex medical situations and treat students with various needs. The Midland School is deeply committed to ensuring that each child has the necessary services and support to reach and succeed in their potential.

The Midland School offers a comprehensive special education program that includes an extended school year option, post-graduate transition services, and job placement for our students. Our highly trained staff provides exceptional education and related services and supports to students with communication needs, behavioral challenges, and complex medical conditions. The School provides extensive individualized academic instruction utilizing the latest innovative technologies.  

The Midland experience prepares students to live as self-sufficient and independent as possible during their time at Midland. Life skills are one of Midland’s key components, and extensive career education and school-to-work transition program prepare students for adult life. Students identify job strengths and interests by job sampling at various local businesses. Social skills are fostered to help students participate in social settings in the greater community. One of the hallmarks of our program is our commitment to transition with remarkable employment outcomes for our students as they enter adult life.  

Midland Adult Programs and Services focus on the transition from school to adult life by providing community residential living, community, and life skills training, job training and placement, as well as day and social/recreational experiences to support and enrich the lives of adults. Midland’s Work Center and Explores programs are available to students after graduation. These programs are also open to non-Midland graduates.

Midland Explores is an activity and community day habilitation program that promotes choice, enrichment, and personal development to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Current course offerings include art, yoga, music, daily life, and social skills. The program operates a few miles from Midland’s main campus at the former Old York Road School building.

Midland also provides housing and operates group homes and supervised apartments throughout Somerset County.

The Midland Foundation was established in 1980, to raise funds for The Midland School and Midland Adult Services.  Yearly fundraising events include the following events:  Move for Midland in the spring, The Midland Golf Classic in the fall, and Midland Goes to the Movies with PNC in November.   Headquartered in North Branch, NJ. Midland, which is a non-profit organization started as The Midland School, designed specifically for the education of developmentally disabled students and adults. Founded in 1960. The Midland School began as a small, family-oriented school for 1 full-time, and 2 part-time students.  Today, Midland is made up of The Midland School, which is a comprehensive special education program that is dedicated to the academic, social, emotional, and career education needs of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities from Pre-K through age 21. Another major component of Midland is our Adult Life Programs, which include our Employment Work Center, Day Habilitation, and Community Residential programs. Midland promotes personal choices, self-advocacy, full community inclusion, and self-determination to support each participant’s goal.