The Woods Schools
Woods Services, formerly known as “the Woods Schools” offers residential, educational, therapeutic, health and vocational services and supports for children and adults with exceptional needs.
About The Woods Schools
For nearly a century, Woods Services has responded to the unique challenges of children and adults with special needs. Its roots lie in the vision and determination of Mollie Woods who, as a 32 year-old Philadelphia schoolteacher, set forth to establish a setting that could provide care for the exceptional child in a home-like environment and maximize each child's potential.
Through Mollie Woods' determination and leadership, The Woods Schools with its warm atmosphere, high ethical standards, and understanding of each child, was established in a Pennsylvania farmhouse. Mollie began to build a curriculum of work, play, and socialization that would meet each child's particular needs. Through her creativity and the love and guidance of a dedicated staff, her dream soon began to take shape.
The Woods Schools - An Exceptional Program
By Woods' 25th anniversary, Mollie had many accomplishments to celebrate. The school had proven to be successful as one of the first residential care and training centers for children who could not thrive in traditional educational programs. Mollie implemented a progressive approach of grouping students by their social maturity rather than by IQ or age.
Over the years, Woods grew and its reputation spread. During this time, Woods became an international source of information on the care and training of individuals with special needs. Through conferences, professional journals, and publications, Woods was renowned for its activities to advance knowledge about developmental disabilities.
In 1948, Mollie established a Board of Trustees to assume responsibility for the future management and oversight of The Woods Schools. This restructuring did not change Woods' purpose or direction, but solidified it.
