Laraway by the Numbers: 2007 | 2008 | 2009

Our History:  A brief timeline

•1972: Laraway School of Moonstone, Inc. is founded in Waterville, Vermont, by Rumsey Jesser as a school for at-risk youth who were unsuccessful at their public high schools. An 1840s barn on Jesser’s property serves as a classroom.

•1974: Laraway relocates to the Living and Learning Center at Johnson State College. Programming expands to include residential services.

•1975: Congress passes Public Law 94142 requiring school systems, for the first time, to provide students with special needs a “free and appropriate education”. Federal funding becomes available for special education.

•1976: Laraway moves to an old Victorian, formerly owned by Johnson State College, at 95 School Street in Johnson. Outdoor adventure education is added as a curricular component around this time.

•1980s: Laraway introduces a work placement program, helping to prepare youth for the transition to adulthood. Laraway runs a downtown Johnson Scoop Shop in partnership with Ben and Jerry’s in the latter part of the decade.

•1990s: Federal de-institutionalization prompts Laraway to transform its residential program to a licensed therapeutic foster care placement agency.

•2000s: Laraway continues to expand services, adding the Backpack Program which helps children experiencing severe behavioral challenges find success in their schools of origin.

•2009 Laraway purchases a 39-acre farm in Johnson with plans to expand and develop its education and therapy programs in an agricultural setting.