What to Expect from Medical Day Treatment

The Medical Day Treatment Program provides medical, educational and mental health care tailored to meet each child’s needs. Care here looks different for each student but will always involve a team of nurses, teachers and mental health professionals who work with families to determine the best academic and treatment plan for each child.  

What to expect in the Medical Day Treatment Program 

This program offers many features found at a traditional school, such as breakfast and lunch times, academics, art classes and field trips. It’s also a place where the care team closely monitors the mental and physical well-being of each child.  

What is a typical school day?  

A day at medical day school consists of all the things you expect — academics, art, lunch, breaks, field trips — combined with therapeutic care tailored to each child’s health needs. 

When is medical day school in session?  

Medical day treatment follows the Aurora Public Schools calendar and operates Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During the school year, the focus is on academics. In the summer months, students enjoy a well-earned break from academics and focus on participating in fun activities that support their social and emotional development while continuing to get support for their medical needs from the nurses.  

What is the difference between traditional school and a hospital-based school like the Medical Day Treatment Program? 

The main difference is the Medical Day Treatment Program is located inside Children’s Hospital Colorado’s hospital in Aurora, which allows students who need close access to medical care to continue their education. Students typically attend the Medical Day Treatment Program for an extended period of time and have medical appointments during the school day. They often spend a significant portion of the school year or longer in the program so they can really settle in and benefit from the support. The goal for students is to help them return to a more traditional school setting when they’re ready. The program provides grade-appropriate academic rigor so students can transition back seamlessly.  

Do students get grades and graduate from the Medical Day Treatment Program?  

The school is accredited as part of Aurora Public Schools, so students attending have classwork, receive grades and can maintain their GPA. Older students typically transition back to their original school to graduate or they may pursue a GED.

Do you serve students with IEPs or 504 plans? 

We actively support and honor all existing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans. As a child progresses in the program, we work collaboratively to adjust and update these plans to reflect their evolving needs, strengths and goals. 

Transitional Care 

As your child prepares to leave, the medical day treatment multidisciplinary team partners closely with their school to ensure a smooth and supportive transition back to the classroom. We assist in updating educational plans and collaborate with school staff, offering guidance from both our nursing and mental health teams as needed. Our goal is to have a smooth transition of care and set every child up for success in their next step. 

How do families get involved?

Family partnership is a key part of the care process. At a minimum, families participate in monthly treatment meetings where our education, nursing and mental health teams provide progress updates and review goals together. Families are also invited to attend optional on-campus events throughout the year, offering opportunities to connect, celebrate milestones and engage with the program in a relaxed environment. 

Teachers and care team 

Our classrooms are staffed by professional educators and paraprofessionals, along with medical specialists, mental health experts, child life specialists and creative arts therapists to ensure days are filled with enriching and therapeutic activities.  

Learn more about our care team

Contact us 

For more information, or if you are a doctor seeking to make a referral, please call 720-777-6200.