Our Services

Education

Education is at the heart of everything we do.

From academic education to college prep and job training, we tailor our approach to each student’s learning style. Our instructional team is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and is passionate about helping our students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

All students are placed with us by their public schools, at no cost to families, to overcome academic and behavioral challenges. Contact our Admissions team for more information.

Supporting Every Student’s Success

We collaborate with local school divisions to address each student’s unique needs and support their transition back to their zoned public school. Our commitment to our students’ success includes:

Individual assessments to determine academic strengths and areas for growth
Structured learning environment with small class sizes and low teacher-to-student ratios
A supportive environment with all staff trained in Trauma-Informed Care
Use of technology in instruction to enhance learning and engagement
Opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, such as team sports and prom
Access to wraparound services as needed, such as Housing & Homeless Services, Intensive In-Home Services, and our Crisis Stabilization Unit

Villa Education Center

Serving youth and young adults ages 5 to 22, the Villa Education Center prepares students to fully engage their community with as much independence as possible. Data-driven programming promotes social and life skills through community-based instruction and the application of best-practice Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). We offer year-round education to support continuous growth and learning.

The primary goal of our Center is to help students successfully transition back to their zoned public schools. We blend highly individualized education planning, comprehensive behavior supports, and speech services adapted to students’ needs and strengths. Our team, which includes two in-house speech and language pathologists, collaborates to maximize opportunities for students to enhance their communication skills.

We partner with families, public schools, universities, research centers and professional networks to help students reach their full potential. Our Center is part of a continuum of care at St. Joseph’s Villa, where students and families can access a range of wraparound supports.

Dooley School at St. Joseph’s Villa

Dooley School is one of our longest-running services, offering a K-12 educational experience designed to meet the unique needs of students with emotional disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, and other health impairments. With small class sizes and a staff-to-student ratio range of 1:6 to 1:8, each student receives personalized attention and support.

Our licensed counselors work closely with students to help them build self-confidence, develop positive relationships, and gain skills to succeed in their community.

Dooley Center for Alternative Education

The Dooley Center for Alternative Education serves middle and high school students residing in Henrico, Hanover, and the City of Richmond who have been suspended or expelled from public school, or are returning from juvenile justice custody.

We offer a safe, structured, supportive environment to help students refocus on their education and personal development. Our flexible curriculum combines direct instruction and online learning, allowing students to make up missed assignments and work toward achieving their individual academic goals. Dedicated staff trained in Trauma-Informed Care provide mentorship and guidance for building healthy coping strategies and making positive choices.

Career and Transition Services

Career and Transition Services supports all Villa students in successfully navigating their education, entering the workforce, or pursuing post-secondary training. Through a combination of classroom learning and real-world worksite training, our goal is to help students envision a future that is productive, achievable, and stimulating.

Students have the opportunity to build vocational and life skills at our onsite work training centers. We also partner with local businesses and nonprofits to provide practical hands-on experience in actual work environments.