School District Partnerships: How Gettysburg Area School District Works with Hoffman Homes

When a student is struggling with behavioral health challenges that impact their ability to learn, families and educators often face difficult decisions together. In Adams County, one critical resource stands ready to partner with schools: Hoffman Homes has worked closely with Gettysburg Area School District and surrounding districts for years, creating pathways that support students who need a therapeutic environment to achieve their education goals.

This partnership isn't about replacing public education—it's about extending it. By combining the district's education expertise with Hoffman Homes' therapeutic and education services, students receive positive behavior interventions and supports designed to help them heal, learn, and eventually return to their home schools when ready.

Understanding Two Different Referral Pathways

Hoffman Homes serves students through two distinct pathways, and it's important to understand the difference. One pathway serves students living in residential programs on campus—the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility, Therapeutic Shelter, or Transitional Living Program. These students may attend Hoffman Academy as part of their comprehensive treatment plan, but the referral process involves county agencies, psychiatric recommendations, and custody arrangements.

The second pathway serves community students whose families choose Hoffman Academy for education services while the student continues living at home. This is the pathway most relevant to school district partnerships, and it follows a collaborative process between the student's home district, the family, and Hoffman Academy.

The Community Student Referral Process

For community students, the journey typically begins when a student's school team—including parents, teachers, clinical team, and special education team (if applicable)—identifies that current supports aren't meeting the child's needs. Behavioral escalation, psychiatric concerns, or safety issues may signal that a different education environment is necessary for the student to achieve optimal academic success.

At this point, the student's team explores options, and the student's school district can initiate a referral to Hoffman Academy. Parents are central to every step of this process. The district collaborates with families to gather educational records, education evaluations, and behavioral documentation. The student's district schedules a tour and interview with Hoffman Academy's administration team. The administration team then reviews the referral to determine whether education services at Hoffman Academy are appropriate and available.

Not all students referred to Hoffman Academy have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or receive special education services. Many students served at the academy do not have IEPs. However, if the student does have a current IEP, the placement and accommodations recorded will be reviewed and assessed for implementation within the Hoffman Academy setting.

Once a student is accepted, the timeline moves quickly. The student's school district arranges transportation services and informs Hoffman Academy of a start date. Throughout this process, transparency and communication between the district, Hoffman Academy, and the family remain paramount.

Hoffman Academy: Licensed Education on Campus

One advantage of Hoffman Homes' model is that students can access specialized education services in a therapeutic environment. Hoffman Academy, the organization's private licensed therapeutic school, serves students from preschool (age 3) through 12th grade right on campus. Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Hoffman Academy is SW-PBIS Tier II sustained accredited, meaning it consistently integrates positive behavioral supports with academics over multiple years.

Class sizes are intentionally small, allowing teachers to tailor instruction to each student's learning style, pace, and emotional state. The curriculum aligns with Pennsylvania state standards, so students continue progressing toward grade-level benchmarks while receiving support in a trauma-informed and restorative education setting. Teachers work hand-in-hand with Hoffman's support staff to ensure that academic goals and behavioral goals support one another.

This integration matters. A student experiencing a difficult morning doesn't lose a full day of instruction; instead, the school leadership coordinates to provide the right balance of support and structure. Education becomes part of the healing process, not something that waits until a student is "ready."

Credit Transfer and Graduation Pathways

Parents and school districts both want to know: Will the work a student does at Hoffman Academy count? The answer is yes. Hoffman Academy issues official transcripts, and credits earned on campus transfer back to students' home districts. When a student is ready to transition back to Gettysburg Area School District or another district, their academic progress comes with them.

For students nearing graduation, Hoffman Academy provides a clear pathway. Students can earn a high school diploma directly from their school district while at Hoffman Academy, or they can transition back to their district to complete graduation requirements there, depending on what best supports their long-term success. The choice is made collaboratively, with input from families, the district, and Hoffman's educational teams.

This flexibility ensures that a student's time in a different education setting doesn't derail their educational trajectory—it supports it. Hoffman Academy staff maintain detailed records, communicate regularly with district liaisons, and provide documentation that helps students reintegrate smoothly when they're ready.

Communication Protocols: Keeping Everyone Connected

Effective partnerships require consistent communication, and Hoffman Homes takes this responsibility seriously. Once a student is placed at the academy, a dedicated team coordinates ongoing contact between academy staff and the student's school district.

District representatives are invited to participate in planning meetings, which occur regularly throughout a student's enrollment. These meetings review progress, adjust goals, and plan for transitions. Hoffman's team shares behavioral updates and educational milestones, while providing academic and behavior progress reports.

When it's time to prepare for a student's return to their home school, transition planning becomes a priority. Hoffman's team works with the district to ensure that supports are in place—whether that's updated IEP accommodations (if applicable), a behavioral intervention plan, or connections to outpatient therapy services Hoffman Homes offers in the community. The goal is a warm handoff, not a sudden change.

Students Who Transition Back Successfully

Many students successfully transition back to their home districts after attending Hoffman Academy. The timeline varies by individual needs—some students spend a full academic year at the academy, while others attend for a shorter period depending on their goals and progress.

Students who complete their time at Hoffman Academy often return to their districts with improved emotional regulation, stronger peer relationships, and renewed confidence in their ability to succeed in school. Some students transition gradually, attending their home school part-time while continuing some education services at Hoffman Academy. Others make a full return, bringing with them the skills and strategies they've learned.

What makes these outcomes possible is the integration of education services, behavioral support, and family involvement. Hoffman Homes doesn't work in isolation—it works alongside school districts, parents, and community providers to create a safety net that holds even after a student leaves campus.

How District Staff Can Refer Families

School counselors, psychologists, special education coordinators, and administrators in Gettysburg Area School District and surrounding regions can initiate a referral to Hoffman Academy at any time. The process is straightforward: reach out to Hoffman's team by phone at (717) 359-7148 or through the contact page on the Hoffman Homes website.

Hoffman's staff will guide you through the required documentation, answer questions about eligibility and program fit, and work with you to determine the best next steps for the student and family. The student's school district is the referring entity for academy placements, though families are involved throughout every step of the process.

For district staff who want to learn more about Hoffman Homes' programs, campus tours and informational meetings can be arranged. Understanding the environment, meeting the educational teams, and seeing the facilities firsthand helps districts make informed decisions when they're advocating for a student who needs additional support.

A Partnership Rooted in Community

Hoffman Homes' relationship with Gettysburg Area School District reflects something deeper than a service agreement—it's a partnership rooted in shared geography, shared values, and a shared commitment to Adams County's young people. Since 1910, Hoffman Homes has been a constant presence in Littlestown and the surrounding region, and that longevity has built trust.

School districts need partners they can count on, and families need to know their children can access quality education services close to home. Hoffman Homes meets both needs. By offering an integrated model that includes therapeutic education services, behavioral support, and community connections—all on one campus—Hoffman Homes makes it possible for students to receive education services in a supportive environment without losing their connection to home, family, and community.

If you're a school professional, parent, or community member wondering how to support a young person who needs a different education setting, know that you're not alone. Hoffman Homes is here, ready to collaborate, and committed to walking alongside families and school districts every step of the way. Reach out today at (717) 359-7148 or visit the contact page to learn more about how this partnership can make a difference for students in Adams County.