A Place To Learn, Grow & Thrive

 
Meet Our Senior Director of Monarch School, Jennifer O’Keefe
Jennifer O’Keefe, LPCC-S, is the Director of Bellefaire JCB's Monarch School, a specialized charter and day school for autistic youth. She began her career with Bellefaire in 2004 as a child care worker and has spent the past 17 years in various leadership roles within the Monarch program. Holding degrees in Art Therapy and Counseling from Mercyhurst University and Ursuline College, Jennifer now leads an interdisciplinary team dedicated to improving the educational outcomes and quality of life for children with Autism and their families.

Monarch School for Autism

The Monarch Center for Autism at Bellefaire JCB provides comprehensive autism education, treatment, and support guided by the Monarch Model, an evidence-informed approach developed in partnership with Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital for ages 5 to 21.

Monarch Day School provides individualized educational services for students from the community, as well as for students receiving residential services through Monarch Residential Autism Services. For students living on campus, these educational services are provided through Monarch Residential Education, which follows the same individualized approach, specialized expertise, and Monarch Model that guide the Day School. This close connection creates consistency across educational and residential settings and gives students opportunities to build and apply skills throughout their day.

The Monarch Model

Developed in partnership with Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Bellefaire JCB’s Monarch Model is an innovative, evidence-informed approach to autism education and treatment. This visual language immersion treatment model is grounded in visual and regulation supports, technology, and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to strengthen communication, learning, social and emotional development, and independence. Learners benefit from individualized programming, structured and supportive environments, interdisciplinary collaboration and active family engagement. Today, the Monarch Model guides services across Monarch’s continuum of care, helping individuals with autism build skills, confidence, and meaningful connections across school, home, and community.

Explore the Monarch Model

A Monarch Education

Individualized Learning for Every Student   

Students learn in small classroom teams and receive individualized instruction based on their abilities, communication style, learning needs, and goals. Instruction is guided by each student’s IEP or Service Plan and may include one-on-one and small-group learning, speech and occupational therapy, and opportunities for art, music, and enrichment.

Monarch SchoolStudents build skills in:

- Communication and social interaction
- Emotional and sensory regulation
- Executive functioning
- Daily living and independence
- Pre-vocational skills

Designed Around the Needs of Autistic Learners   

Monarch’s school environment is intentionally designed to support regulation, engagement, and learning. Students have access to sensory and quiet spaces, gross motor areas, life-skills spaces, adapted playgrounds, and specialized communication technology when appropriate. Ongoing assessment helps the educational team monitor progress and adjust supports as students grow.

Preparing for Life Beyond School   

As students approach transition age, Monarch connects learning to greater independence and future employment. Depending on their goals and needs, students may participate in Middle/High School, Upper School, or the Monarch Transition Education Program (MTEP). MTEP provides hands-on, community-based learning and pre-vocational experiences, including simulated work environments on campus and training opportunities with community partners.

Supporting Continued Growth   

Eligible students may receive individualized Extended School Year (ESY) services over the summer to maintain skills and support continued progress. Services may include academics, therapies, behavior support, pre-vocational development, and leisure skills.

Monarch Residential Education students benefit from a 195-day school year, providing more opportunities for learning and skill development.

The Student Experience and Daily Life

Monarch Day School brings together a multidisciplinary team of educators, therapists, behavior specialists, and transition professionals who work collaboratively to support each student’s educational, therapeutic, behavioral, and developmental goals. This coordinated approach creates consistency throughout the school day and allows strategies to be reinforced across settings.

Our team includes:

  • Intervention Specialists & Supervisory Teachers who lead classrooms and oversee each student’s IEP or Service Plan.
  • Instructional Assistants who provide individualized and small-group support.
  • Speech-Language Pathologists who provide languagte and communication services and supports outlined in students’ IEPs or Service Plans.
  • Occupational Therapists who provide sensory, regulation services and supports outlined instudents’ IEPs or Service Plans.
  • Behavior Analysts, Behavior Specialists & Registered Behavior Technicians who provide individualized behavioral support.
  • Art & Music Therapists who use creative experiences to support communication, engagement, and social-emotional development.
  • Transition Coordinator who helps students prepare for adulthood and greater independence.
  • Administrative Staff who provide leadership and oversee school operations.
Training & Professional Development

Every team member receives extensive training before working directly with students, including a dedicated shadowing period and preparation in Monarch’s educational approach, safety practices, and individualized supports.

Training includes:

  • Monarch practices and the Monarch Model
  • Safety-Care®, CPR, First Aid, and AED
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  • Emergency and safety procedures, including seizure response
  • Building positive relationships with students
  • Data collection and using data to guide instruction
  • IEPs and Service Plans

Ongoing collaboration and professional development help ensure that staff understand each student’s goals and provide consistent support throughout the school day.

 Meet Our Team  

A Structured, Supportive School Day

Monarch Day School provides a structured, individualized school day designed to support learning, communication, regulation, and participation. Students learn through a combination of one-on-one and small-group instruction and have access to quiet, sensory, gross motor, and outdoor spaces that support different learning and regulation needs.

Supporting Health & Well-Being

Student health, safety, and well-being are integrated into the school experience. Nurses, trained staff, and individualized supports help students feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn. Our team uses proactive and de-escalation strategies and follows established safety practices to support students through challenging moments.

A Consistent Routine

The school day runs from 8:25 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., providing a predictable routine that helps students know what to expect and make the most of their day.

Learn More about a Typical Day at Monarch Day School

Families and caregivers are an essential part of each student’s team. At Monarch, we believe that strong, ongoing communication with families helps create consistency between school, home, and other important environments in a student’s life.

The following outlines what families can expect throughout their child’s time at Monarch, from regular communication and progress updates to opportunities for meaningful involvement in their child’s care and education.

  • Regular Communication: Families receive regular updates about their child’s day, progress, and areas of focus. Communication may take place in person, by phone, through the Remind app, and/or through daily communication logs. Logs provide a snapshot of the student’s day, including targeted skills, participation, behavioral and social-emotional needs, and personal care updates.

  • Progress Updates: Families receive quarterly progress reports, which are also shared with school districts when applicable. Families participate in the annual development and review of their child’s IEP or Service Plan, including establishing goals and planning for continued growth. For students who may be eligible for Extended School Year (ESY) services, families participate in the annual team meeting to determine eligibility and appropriate supports.

  • Incident Communication: When an incident occurs at school, including an event involving physical management, families or caregivers are notified and provided with an incident report within 24 hours.

  • A Collaborative Approach: Our goal is to keep families informed, involved, and confident in their child’s care and education while ensuring that everyone supporting the student is working toward the same goals.

Learning at Monarch extends beyond the classroom. Through real-world community experiences, school-wide celebrations, and partnerships with local universities, Monarch creates meaningful opportunities for students to build skills, connect with others, and engage with the broader community.

  • Community-Based Learning: Transition-aged students participate in job skills training and community experiences at more than 20 local job sites, helping them build practical skills and prepare for greater independence.

  • Community Events & Celebrations: Throughout the school year, Monarch hosts holiday celebrations, field trips, and spirit weeks with support from more than a dozen community partners.

  • University Partnerships: Monarch partners with local and regional universities to offer internships, volunteer opportunities, and field experiences for students pursuing education, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis, art therapy, and related fields.

Monarch uses a collaborative admissions process to determine whether the program is a good fit for each student. Families, school districts, and the Monarch team work together to understand the student’s strengths, needs, and goals and determine whether Monarch can provide the right educational supports.

The process may include a school tour, meetings with the student and members of the educational team, and a review of educational records and other relevant information. When Monarch is determined to be an appropriate placement, the team works with the family and school district to develop an individualized plan for the student.

Contact our Admissions Team
216.320.8945  

 

Admissions & Eligibiity FAQs

Monarch Day School is a tuition-based program, and families may have several options for covering the cost of services. Depending on a student’s circumstances, funding may come through the family, a school district, or the Autism Scholarship.

Our Admissions team works with families and school districts to help navigate funding options and understand the financial responsibilities associated with placement. The FAQs below provide more information about tuition, scholarships, district-funded placements, and insurance.

Tuition and Financial Assistance FAQs

Monarch Day School is designed to help students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Individualized supports, sensory and regulation spaces, trained staff, nursing support, and proactive behavioral strategies are integrated throughout the school day to meet each student’s needs.

Our team emphasizes prevention, de-escalation, and positive, least-restrictive approaches to support students through challenging moments while protecting their dignity and safety. Families are kept informed and involved when significant incidents occur.

The FAQs below provide more information about student supports, safety practices, medication, incident reporting, restraint, and other policies.

 

We want families to have easy access to the information they need throughout their child’s experience at Monarch. Here you’ll find important school resources, including the academic calendar, policies, forms, and other helpful information.

2026-2027 Monarch Day School Academic Calendar

2026-27 Residential Education Academic Calendar

 

In Their Own Words

"When our son was younger, we were routinely faced with new curveballs. He stopped sleeping, stopped talking, and started nonstop flapping, chewing and jumping. Then he started having meltdowns. And then he started becoming aggressive. As we met new challenges, we found new people and new resources to support us. The staff at Monarch were our key. There are no words to express what it feels like to see him thrive under your care and get exactly what he needs. The fact he’s getting it from the most amazing group of caring, loving and enthusiastic people is just a ridiculous embarrassment of riches. We feel so grateful for you all every single day.”

– Monarch School Family

 

“Thank you all for the work, effort, time, respect, and love you show my son every day. Each time I leave a Monarch meeting, I leave knowing that he is in the right place with a unique group of empathetic and extraordinary team members. All of you truly see the young man underneath his [autism]. Thank you from the bottom of our family’s hearts and souls.”

– Monarch School Family

“I’ve noted in the past, but it cannot be repeated enough that whenever I leave a meeting at Monarch, I leave knowing for certain that my child is in the right hands. All of you are dedicated, motivated, caring, and loving individuals. You are unsung heroes every day. In spite of scratch and bite marks, noise filled classrooms, goo beyond belief, and significant emotional demands from your students, you all face them each day with kindness, respect and care. You see them as humans and build not just their academic abilities, but also their self-worth. Our family is beyond grateful for your efforts. Thank you.”

– Monarch School Family

 

“Monarch is the greatest place in the world!!!!! My son has made leaps and bounds in his first three months at Monarch. He literally receives HOURS of speech a week!! It has made ALL the difference!!! The staff at Monarch genuinely love their job and love my child…. I’ll be forever grateful.”

– Monarch School Family

Explore our resources, tools and webinars to support your family.


Work At Monarch

Join a dedicated team committed to helping children and young adults with autism learn, grow and thrive. At Monarch, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals in a supportive environment where your skills and contributions make a meaningful difference every day.

 

Explore Careers At Monarch

 


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