Margaret Bancroft

created a school for special needs children

She thought that these children needed specialized and individual attention

She showed that with proper teaching these students can be successful

She changed the way children & adults with disabilities are viewed by people

She showed that isolating special needs children does not help them learn.

People with special needs were able to not only recieve an education but also gained a lot of rights and more independence

Before Bancroft, special need children were not able to attend schools

They had no rights really and were often times treated as hopeless or unteachable

proper hygenie

sensory development

proper nutrition

students had fun days out, visted circus,concerts, zoo etc.

influced Educational and Medical system

Students learned about prayer

Students had many opportunites to excersie

Students learned to develop cognitve skills

Great Depression affected the school

World Wars affected the school

The Organization had many other financial challenges

Because of these obstacles they had to provide services in different ways

People doubted her and did not think her plan would work

Opened her 1st school at 29

Born in Philadephia

Moved to New Jersey to open up first school

She started out teaching in a normal school

People from Philadelphia told her not go and waste her time/talent

She opened the first private school for children with special needs

She was 4 of 5 children in her family

She was born on June 28, 1854

in 1917 she married Griffing Bancroft, who was an ornithologist

focused on developing social skills

focused on developing educational and literary skills

This school was later changed to the Bancroft Training School

designed to stimulate the mental,physical and spirtual growth

Haddonfield campus was sold after 2015

This school was in a rented house in Haddonfield

passed away at age 58

Dr. Ernest Farrington became President

Organization became a nonprofit in 1928

Today the school is located in Moorestown, NJ

for students age 3 to 11

moved to a newer and larger facility

A community group home was established in 1982 in New Jersey

Still open today

She is now a member of the New Jersey Hall of Fame

Two group homes were open in 1996 in Delaware

Bancroft started working with local busniesses to provide real work experience for students

In 1992 the CARES program was established

Many programs are created to help with brain injuries.

Today the Bancroft Organization specializes in Autism,neuro-rehabilitation, and special education