Students returned to the classrooms at The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School on September 3, ready to learn, reconnect with friends and teachers, and kick off another exciting school year.

The start of school follows a busy summer at Stepping Stones, where the six-week Extended School Year (ESY) program wrapped up in August. Once again, ESY offered a blend of learning and fun, helping students continue working toward their educational goals while enjoying plenty of memorable summer activities.

Now, with the 2026-27 school year officially underway, students and staff are looking forward to everything the fall has in store. In the coming weeks, the Stepping Stones community will take advantage of the last days of summer weather with a fun-filled day at Camp Hope and will head out for a school trip to the Turtle Back Zoo.

With familiar faces back in the hallways, new experiences on the calendar, and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow ahead, Stepping Stones is ready for another great school year.

The Arc of Essex County’s Stepping Stones School is a Department of Education approved private school for students with disabilities.  Located in Fairfield, NJ, the school is designed to meet the developmental and educational needs of children with cognitive impairments such as Down syndrome and other students with similar educational and developmental needs.  For more information, or to request a virtual tour and assistance with an out-of-district placement, contact Robin Moses, Director of Early Childhood and Education at (862) 210-8781 or rmoses@arcessex.org.