School Practice Lab is a therapeutic program for students who struggle with attending school and would benefit from guided practice building confidence before the school year begins.

In a supportive, small-group setting, students take part in a simulated classroom experience that mirrors real school routines. This includes both structured activities (like classwork and transitions) and more flexible, social parts of the school day.

The program uses a gradual, step-by-step approach to help students:

• Face challenging situations

• Build coping skills

• Become more comfortable in a school environment

By the end of the program, students have had real practice showing up, participating, and navigating a school day—helping make the transition back to school smoother and more manageable.

Program Components:

• Weekly 3-hour child group sessions

• Weekly 1-hour parent virtual sessions

Participants are expected to attend at least 6 of the 8 weekly child and parent sessions.

Dates & Times:

June 24 – August 19, 2026 (8-week program; no sessions the week of July 8)

This is a weekly program for the full duration of the summer:

• Wednesdays: Child group (3 hours), 10:00 am–1:00 pm

• Tuesdays: Parent session (virtual, 1 hour), 11:00 am–12:00 pm

Families should plan for 4 hours of participation per week

Location:

• Beach Middle School, Chelsea, Michigan

Cost:

• $2800 (Some of the program costs may be covered by insurance for families with BCBS PPO plans)

Who This Is For:

• Students ages 11–14

• Students who have difficulty attending school or returning after absences

• Families looking for structured, skills-based support before the school year begins

Registration:

To get started, families complete a brief screening call to ensure the program is a good fit.

• Call: (734) 433-5100

• Email: admin@thrivingminds.info

For program-specific questions contact:

• Email Dr. Becky Thomson bthomson@thrivingminds.info