Hospital School
School brings a sense of normalcy to the lives of students and their families. Attending school in the hospital gives students a sense of control. Even when medical issues seem overwhelming, maintaining schedules and succeeding in school are possible. A focus on learning may serve as a distraction from procedures that may be frightening and sometimes painful. For students who are feeling well enough, going to school provides an opportunity for a child to leave the confines of the hospital room. Sometimes parents attend school with their child, but school time may also provide an opportunity for parents to take a break.
For children who are seriously ill, school participation provides evidence that there is life and hope after hardship. In the hospital, school provides a sense of future. Many of our students have commented that they knew we planned for them to get well because we were asking them to continue with school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor can make a referral for school services if you are enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade and are expecting to be in the hospital for five school days or more. If you are enrolled in an exceptional children’s program and have an IEP, you may have school in the hospital if your stay is anticipated to be at least three school days. A hospital teacher will visit your mom, dad or legal guardian to get permission for you to attend school. Instruction can take place in the hospital classroom or in your room.
Absolutely. The teachers hold valid certification through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
No. Usually you will have school for one hour a day. You’ll be working one-on-one with a teacher so you can finish a lot of work. If you aren’t feeling well, school may split into two half-hour sessions.
The hospital teacher will call your school and speak with the counselor. The counselor will talk with your teachers and gather assignments for you. If you don’t live far away, your mom or dad might stop by the school and pick them up. We’ll try to work on the same assignments that your class is completing. We’ll send all of your work to your teacher, and it will be recorded.
Yes. The people at your home school know you’ll be returning as soon as you feel better. You’ll be withdrawn from your home school’s roll while you are here, and we’ll enter you on our roll, but it is only a temporary situation.
No. You are counted present while you are on our roll. We’ll let your home school know the day you were admitted to the hospital, the day you were enrolled in hospital school, and the day you are discharged from the hospital. Each school day while in the hospital counts as a full school day.
No. Many of our students are from Pitt County, but we welcome students from all over North Carolina. Sometimes, we even have students from other states.
We usually assign homework so that you don’t get behind. If your time is consumed with medical procedures or if you don’t feel well, we can be flexible with homework completion.
Hospital School is supported jointly by Pitt County Schools and ECU Health Medical Center. For more information, call the director of the Exceptional Children’s Program at Pitt County Schools, at 252-695-7989. You may call the ECU Health Medical Center Rehab Program Manager, at 252-847-0441.
Need help or have a question?
Call 252-816-3714