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. We serve individuals in an atmosphere that encourages their talents, celebrates their successes and builds their self-esteem.

St. Coletta’s Open Enrollment Period November 1, 2023 - April 30, 2024

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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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School Job Fair

Wednesday August 2nd
12 – 4 p.m.

more information

event highlights

Gratitude Reception

Honoring DC City Council Chairman
Phil Mendelson

Special Guest: The Honorable Maggie Hassan

Held Tuesday October 24, 2023

more information

Thank you Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Joel Wood

Platinum Sponsor

Microsoft logo

Host Sponsor

The council of insurance agents brokers logo

Gold Sponsor

Metz logo

Gold Sponsor

Chris and Jodi Bettencourt

Gold Sponsor

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Gold Sponsor

Edison Electric Institute logo

Gold Sponsor

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Gold Sponsor

Friends of Hampton Pryor

Gold Sponsor

Mike Smith

Gold Sponsor

Terry and Katherine Dwyer

Silver Sponsor

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Bronze Sponsor

Friends of Evan Henstenburg

Bronze Sponsor

the goodhart group logo

Bronze Sponsor

rsm logo

Bronze Sponsor

Mandy & David Team logo

Bronze Sponsor

peoplesworth logo

Bronze Sponsor

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Bronze Sponsor

lassiter & associates
    art

    Happy Holidays

    Student smiling

    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

    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.
    Shop our Store
     
    Adult Services Division

    Special Talents

    St. Coletta has a dynamic adult program for people with disabilities.

    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

    November 2023

    Learn More

    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.
    IMAGE OF PLAN
    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

    Featured image for “First Day of School”
    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.

    Download PDF
     
    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.

    Event photos
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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

    details
    “
    • 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