Seeing Possibilities
Beyond Disabilities

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Our Mission

The mission of St. Coletta of Greater Washington is to empower children and adults with intellectual disabilities to discover their full potential.

OUR VISION

Our vision is for people with intellectual disabilities to be recognized and accepted as valuable contributors to the world around them.

VALUE STATEMENT

At St. Coletta we believe in the immeasurable value of the individual human spirit and the right of each individual to live as full and independent a life as possible. We respect the dignity of all persons entrusted to our care and our goal is to serve them in an atmosphere that encourages their talents, celebrates their successes and builds their self-esteem.

SY 2023-2024
Open Enrollment period: 11/01/2022 - 04/28/2023

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St Coletta Programs

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School Program

For students age 3-22 our program focuses on functional academics, daily living skills, community-based instruction and career based training.
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Adult Program

For adults age 18 and older we offer opportunities to participate in vocational and pre-vocational training, supported employment, life skills training and community integration in order to achieve greater independence.
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Coletta Collections

Coletta Collections is our social enterprise.  Artisan participants make jewelry, accessories and home décor using fused glass, beads, silk dying and hand weaving on traditional looms.
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Happy Holidays

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Special Ed. Public Charter School
Lottery Number Results

The following lottery numbers were selected this evening May 12 at 6pm:

⦁ 222310
⦁ 222312
⦁ 222315
⦁ 222318
⦁ 222328
⦁ 222337
⦁ 222353
⦁ 222355

Job Fair

Wednesday February 15th
3:00 P.M. to 5 P.M.
1901 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003
(next to Stadium-Armory metro station)

Apply Now
school staff from promotional video

Team Innovate

Team Innovate is St. Coletta’s peer advisory group. Made up of employees from all of St. Coletta’s programs, Team Innovate brings issues to senior management that the committee feels will make the organization a better place for our students, adult participants and employees. Conversely, senior management brings issues to Team Innovate and asks for their input. Members of Team Innovate are:

From the DC school program:
Shandell Matthews (Co-Chair)
April Adams-Fowler
Chantel Washington (Secretary)
Gwen Green

From Alexandria Adult Program:
Jeremiah Rush (Co-Chair)
Talisha Cheatham

From Rockville Adult Program:
Charlette Stapleton
Sophia Raymond

St. Coletta Names New CEO

Industry Veteran to Assume Role Sept. 7

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 23, 2021 – St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a national leader in providing special education and vocational opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, has named Michael A. Rodrigues as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective Sept. 7.

Mr. Rodrigues, previously President and CEO of New England Village, a provider of residential and day services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in southeastern Massachusetts, replaces Sharon B. Raimo, who retired in 2020 after 28 years in the position at St. Coletta.

Mr. Rodrigues  is a Massachusetts native who’s been a leader of nonprofits for the past 30 years. Before joining New England Village, he was the President and CEO of Thrive Support &  Advocacy, and previously Chief Executive Officer of Triangle. He is a graduate of the Isenberg School at University of Massachusetts - Amherst, and is married with three children.

Said St. Coletta’s Board of Trustees President Sue Goodhart, “We are thrilled that Michael is joining us to build upon the legacy and impact Sharon brought us these past three decades. His experience and passion in this field are unparalleled, and we’re eager to enter this new phase in St. Coletta’s rich history.”

St. Coletta of Greater Washington is a nonsectarian institution serving 500 children and adults with intellectual and multiple disabilities in Washington, D.C. and its surrounding area. Along with its landmark school headquarters, designed and built by Michael Graves in 2006, St. Coletta operates two adult day facilities and, under the Coletta Collections banner, runs a social enterprise where artisans with disabilities design and sell unique crafts and jewelry.

Vaccine Clinic at the School

Friday, February 4 th| 4-8PM

Pfizer pediatric COVID-19 vaccines available for any child age 5-11.
Accompanying family or household members may also receive first, second, or booster dose of their vaccine. Multiple brands will be available for people age 12+.
No entry without appropriate mask / face covering.
Social distancing is required upon entering the building.
Only those receiving vaccines and one adult per child will be admitted.
Must complete COVID-19 health screen upon arrival.

Learn more

Coletta Collections

Gifts for Good

These beautiful products were handcrafted at our school and adult programs. Support these local artisans with disabilities. Quantities are limited.
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About Us

It’s A Colorful Life

At St. Coletta school, we see every day how colors help children and young adults with disabilities in miraculous ways. If you’re up for a career that’s as caring as it is creative, working at St. Coletta is a blank canvas. Help brighten the lives of young people with disabilities. Apply today.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The St. Coletta of Greater Washington community includes and embraces a wide range of experiences, identities and perspectives. We understand that diversity is a fact, equity is a method, inclusion is a behavior, and belonging is the outcome we strive to achieve. We further understand that completely integrating diversity, equity and inclusion into our decision-making processes is a moral obligation.

The diversity we embrace includes a complete range of human attributes, strengths, talents and constructive ideas. We are committed to diversifying our leadership, staff, collaborators and services to reflect the communities we serve. We work to enhance the lives of all members of our St. Coletta community through our efforts to inform, involve, and connect people across the full spectrum of individual and collective identity and lived experience.

Our values are the cornerstone of all we do. Through our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, we seek to build a community of belonging, where everyone in the St. Coletta sphere of influence feels they are a part of our collective “we.”

 

COVID-19 Resources

March 2023

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Strategic Plan

We strive to be among the best of the best in our field. Our five-year strategic plan keeps us on the right path to discovering our full potential as an organization.
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Fall 2022

School Activities

Student participating in numerous activities and events throughout the year.
Sep / 2022

Rockville Program Picnic

Featured image for “Rockville Program Picnic”
Aug / 2022

First Day of School

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Aug / 2022

Open House

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Jul / 2022

Summer Graduation

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Jul / 2022

Field Day

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Jun / 2022

Water Day

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2022 Job Fair

St. Coletta is having a Job Fair on January 5th at our DC location.

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Summer 2022

School Activities

Rockville Program Picnic

09/23/2022

First Day of School

08/29/2022

Open House

08/26/2022
Sharon Raimo next to plaque with students in background.
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september 22 2021

Sharon Brady Raimo Special Education Campus

On Wednesday, September 22nd, St. Coletta named its DC school building after retired CEO Sharon Raimo in recognition of 28 years of leading St. Coletta and her long career of advocating for people with disabilities. Councilmen Vince Gray and Charles Allen spoke, as well as Dr. Michelle Walker-Davis, Executive Director of DC Charter School Board.

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Check Fraud Alert

Saint Coletta has recently learned that criminals have been trying to steal money from individuals by sending a check that looks like a check from Saint Coletta of Greater Washington, Inc., but is not.  These criminals are then asking the recipient to deposit the check and send some money back to them for overpayment, or worse, mistaken payment and demanding full reimbursement.  If you receive an unexpected check from Saint Coletta of Greater Washington, do not deposit it and do not follow the instructions.  It’s fraud.  Please contact us with as much non-personal information as possible https://www.stcoletta.org/contact-us/.  Do not reply to the instigator no the threats.

Further information about these types of check scams can be found at the Federal Trade Commission website:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/fake-check-scams

Shop our new holiday catalog
2017

Holiday Gift Guide

We are very excited to show all of the beautiful products that were handcrafted at our school and adult programs. From the beginning our participants are actively involved in creating a unique piece that gives them so much pride. Whether you shop for yourself or begin working on your holiday shopping list, we have gorgeous products for every style and every season.

Support these local artisans with disabilities and shop now – quantities are limited.

Shop our new holiday catalog
2017

Holiday Gift Guide

We are very excited to show all of the beautiful products that were handcrafted at our school and adult programs. From the beginning our participants are actively involved in creating a unique piece that gives them so much pride. Whether you shop for yourself or begin working on your holiday shopping list, we have gorgeous products for every style and every season.

Support these local artisans with disabilities and shop now – quantities are limited.

2017 Holiday Gift Guide

Shop Our Holiday Catalog

We are very excited to show all of the beautiful products that were handcrafted at our school and adult programs. From the beginning our participants are actively involved in creating a unique piece that gives them so much pride. Whether you shop for yourself or begin working on your holiday shopping list, we have gorgeous products for every style and every season.

Support these local artisans with disabilities and shop now – quantities are limited.

Shop Now
 
Virtual Annual Benefit Gala

Save the Date for St. Coletta's Gala "Celebrating Sharon" September 19, 2020

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“
  • It is great to know that I can send Jonathan to school to work with staff who love their jobs. Rare are the mornings that Jonathan is not smiling as I dress and tell him he's going to school. He loves his teachers and is excited to get on the bus each morning. As parents, we are excited that Jonathan has a great team helping him achieve his full potential.” Sandra Thomas St. Coletta Parent
  • I cannot express my gratitude towards your dedication and devoting service for my son. I am very grateful for him to be exposed to you, people that try to care and love him for who he is. I deeply appreciate all that you do, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Veronica Aneke St. Coletta Parent

  • I am so thankful for St. Coletta and all the staff. You all are so caring and for that I am truly grateful. Kwenton loves coming to school even though he can't tell me, he shows with that smile of his. His aide will never know how much she is loved by our family. The care and attention she gives is off the chart.”


    Wanda Graves
    St. Coletta Parent

St. Coletta of Greater Washington