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Students

Exploration. Understanding. Action.

Bellcate School \ News & Events \ Students

EPIC Summer

This summer, EPIC Arts begins a new experiment in collaborative arts programming. Our individual Visual Arts, Music, and Theatre programs will continue to grow and develop but for the first time they are joined by a three-way combination class. This summer’s Theatre class features a new play by Colby Fitzpatrick: A Space Adventure. It was… Read more »

One Giant Leap for Bellcate Students

Summer program at Bellcate School has started and the Space Project reached its next Phase. On day 2 and 3 in the first week, 2 groups of our students were able to go and participate at Starbase. Starbase is a STEM program, which is active nationwide and in Vermont at two sites. (STEM: Science, Technic,… Read more »

SUP This Summer at Bellcate?

If you ask the average high school student what they’d like to be doing with their summer, you’re not likely to hear “summer school” as the response. However, Bellcaters are anything but your average high school students! So when three of them signed up for the brand new Stand-Up Paddle boarding class, expectations were high… Read more »

Graduating Class of 2019!

On Thursday May 31st, in front of a packed house, 4 Bellcate Seniors joined the ranks of Bellcate Alumni at their Class of 2019 high school graduation ceremony. This year was extra special because the event was hosted at Lily’s Gym, Bellcate School’s new community center and gymnasium. “It had such a special feeling to… Read more »

EPIC Arts Ceramic Offerings

Bellcate students have embraced an amazing new way of expressing themselves artistically. Attendees of the EPIC Event on May 23 probably saw the original and inventive works of art created by Bellcate student-artists using kiln heated clay otherwise known as ceramics. Access to this ancient media was made possible by Bellcate’s sustained commitment to continually… Read more »

EPIC Showcase

On May 23rd, 2019 Bellcate School held its first EPIC event. EPIC (Express. Perform. Inspire. Create) is the name of our new collaborative Arts program. EPIC encompasses the visual arts, music education, and the performing arts (theatre, dance, etc.). In two events, one during school and one after school, Bellcate students demonstrated our program mantra:… Read more »

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Featured Posts

  • Semester 2: Notes from the Operations Desk

    Semester 2, during Covid, continues to challenge us at times but it has also brought opportunities for positive learning, growth and change. For example, during Covid we developed “Adventure Day.” Adventure Day is a full day of programming that is designed to access our natural and inspiring Vermont resources. Bellcate School has always been connected… Read more »

  • Bulldogs ’30 Nights of Fitness’

    The Bellcate community is wrapping up its second version of “30 nights,” completing an intense workout series that brought laughs, tears of joy, hall of fame basketball players, a logger, the local news, a couple dentists, and a country music star. The fun began on Monday, January 4th. Aiden met Bellcate Athletic Director Jamie Moore… Read more »

  • WbcR Episode #22 – Hall of Fame

    Here is our next installment of WbcR Episode #22 – “A Tribute to the 2020 Inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.  This is our 1st Bellcate Remote broadcast and it will air on WBTV 99.3 FM on Saturday 5/16/20 at 8pm.  Our DJ’s Matt, Marcus, Joe, and Dylan worked really hard on… Read more »

  • NEW Gear Store OPEN!

    CLICK HERE TO VISIT NEW STORE!

Testimonials

  • Bruce, Grandfather

    “Bellcate is life-changing for its kids.  It has improved our family living by learning how to handle difficult situations from time to time. The Wolf Pack family support discussions and problem solving benefit all family members, staff, and all associated parties. At Bellcate, you receive unconditional backing and support from whenver needed 24/7. I am… Read more »

  • Anna and Chip, Parents

    “Bellcate School is an amazing place. The school’s executive director and team are some of the most accomplished and talented educators and support staff we have ever met. They are committed to understanding the complex needs of each student. They will individualize an educational plan that incorporates a range of classes, social and extracurricular experiences… Read more »

  • Gail, Parent

    ​”When you walk in the door at Bellcate it is usually a beehive of activity. There are classes going on, meals being made, artwork and schoolwork being hung in the hallways, maybe gardening going on out front. There are kids of various ages and all levels of ability/disability busy with their school tasks. It may… Read more »

  • Kara, Parent

    “Bellcate School is a unique and special school that is completely dedicated to all of the student’s individual needs in a holistic approach. They improve their student’s lives academically, mentally, emotionally and physically in a community enriched environment. The wonderful staff have diverse backgrounds which enhances the variety of learning experiences the students acquire. The… Read more »

  • Kelly, Parent

    “Bellcate School is a safe place for your child and your family. A place for all of you to learn and become stronger. They will never judge you and they will always support you. Every kid should be able to go to a school like Bellcate. Bellcate School has meant more to our son and… Read more »

Life at Bellcate

Bellcate School utilizes a three-stage personal development model that draws on a number of effective theories and strategies. This is not a fixed system, but rather a way of understanding change within a context. Bellcate School understands growth and change to be a slow and challenging process for anyone.
Read more about our three-stage personal development model

Exploration


The primary focus of the exploration stage is to build a strong therapeutic relationship as a foundation to facilitate and support growth and change. We use nonjudgmental acceptance and communicate empathy, respect, and genuine care so students can come to accept themselves and unblock their own natural potential.

Understanding


Students are often ready to move into the Understanding Stage when they have developed strong, trusting, and safe therapeutic relationships with staff. The goal of this stage is to support students in constructing new insight and understanding. Staff assist students in determining their own role in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Action


Thoughts and behaviors are learned according to learning principles and thus can be changed using the same learning principles. In the Action Stage, staff assist students in making decisions that benefit themselves. Staff refer to the stages of change model as a resource to further understand where the student is in the change process.

Exploration. Understanding. Action.
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