Our Services

Dooley School at St. Joseph’s Villa

A Supportive Learning Environment Where Every Student Can Succeed

Dooley School at St. Joseph’s Villa is a fully accredited K-12 private day school providing alternative and specialized education to students in the Richmond metro area and across Central Virginia. We offer the personal attention of a small school while delivering a high-quality educational and social experience. Our psycho-educational approach is tailored to meet the specific needs of each student, with a strong focus on supporting the whole family.

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.

Visit Dooley School

Schedule a personal tour with our Admissions team to learn more about our program.

Individual Assessments

Each student is assessed upon admission and periodically thereafter to determine academic strengths and areas for growth. In accordance with diploma requirements, students participate in Virginia’s state testing programs.

Therapeutic & Behavioral Interventions

We use a behavior management system that encourages students to take responsibility for their actions through a balance of incentives and consequences. This approach helps students learn acceptable behaviors and develop effective coping skills. To support their progress, we offer therapeutic intervention and counseling services.

Counselors on staff assist students in developing self-esteem, learning how to build relationships, and achieving their goals.

Research-Based Curriculum & Instruction

Instruction is designed to help students successfully complete an appropriate program of academic and/or vocational study. We base our curriculum on the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL), Aligned Standards of Learning, and teaching functional life and social skills.

Instructional strategies include the use of independent study, service-learning, and vocational placements.

Integrated Services

Students and families can access a wide range of services to support success at school and in the community, including:

Career & Transition Services
Housing & Homeless Services
Intensive In-Home Services (Medicaid funded)
School-Based Therapeutic Day Treatment (Medicaid funded)
The Villa Shoppe (access to clothes, home furnishings, and school supplies at no cost), Villa Grocery (food pantry) and Villa Laundry (laundromat facilities)
Richmond Alternative Schools Sports League (RASSL) participation

School-Based Therapeutic Day Treatment

Therapeutic Day Treatment (TDT) is available to students enrolled in Dooley School and offers support as they transition to St. Joseph’s Villa. Overseen by a licensed clinical social worker, TDT uses a combination of psychotherapeutic interventions that include individual and group therapy. Our primary goal is to help each child develop adaptive behaviors for success in their community.

Students must be found eligible for TDT services through criteria established by Medicaid. For more information, contact Admissions at 804-553-3241.

Location & Hours

Dooley School is located on the St. Joseph’s Villa campus, which spans 82 beautifully landscaped acres. Students have access to the Villa’s Learning & Therapy Garden, gymnasium, playgrounds, vocational training centers, and more.

Regular school hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-3:00pm, with early dismissal at 12:30pm on Wednesdays. Extended school year services are also available.

View our 2026-27 school calendar here.

Referral Process

Categories Served

Autism, Developmental Delay, Emotional Disability, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability, Multiple Disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment, Other Health Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Speech or Language Impairment

Eligibility Criteria

Current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) with private day selected under Least Restrictive Environment
Standards of Learning (SOL)/Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) tract, IEP category reflected in Categories Served

Admission Steps

The initial referral is received from the student’s public school/Local Education Agency (LEA); documents are reviewed for appropriate school placement.
The Villa’s Admissions Office contacts the family to discuss the student and school, and set a tour date.
School tour with guardian(s) and student, registration packet given.
School system contacted for additional required records and status update.
Placement decision made and relayed when all required records have been received and reviewed.