For many students with special needs, the school day provides essential structure and support, but learning does not have to stop when the final bell rings. After-school programs designed around social skills development give students additional time and practice in an environment that feels less like a classroom and more like a community. At Harbor School in Eatontown, NJ, our After-School Social Skills Program offers exactly that—a fun, structured setting where students strengthen the social skills they need for school, home, and life beyond.
Why Social Skills Need Extra Practice
Students with autism, ADHD, language-based disabilities, and behavioral challenges often find social interaction difficult. Skills like reading body language, taking turns in conversation, managing disagreements, and cooperating in a group do not develop automatically; they require explicit instruction and repeated practice in real-world settings. While the school day offers structured opportunities, the academic pace can limit the time available for focused social learning.
An after-school program extends that learning into a more relaxed, activity-based environment where students can practice social skills with peers in natural, meaningful ways.
What Harbor School's Program Looks Like
Harbor School's After-School Social Skills Program, presented by Project Enterprise, is run by our school counselor, Taylor Shea, Monday through Thursday from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Led by our certified and support staff, the program is designed for students of all ages and centers on group-based activities that naturally reinforce essential social skills. Students participate in recreational activities, cooperative team-building exercises, and interactive lessons—all structured to build communication, problem-solving, and positive peer interaction in a supportive setting.
Building Communication and Confidence
One of the primary benefits of a dedicated social skills program is the opportunity to practice communication in low-pressure situations. During team-building games and group activities, students learn to express their ideas, listen to others, negotiate roles, and handle frustration, all with staff guidance and real-time feedback. Over time, these experiences build confidence that transfers into the classroom, the home, and the community.
Harbor School's behavioral and counseling services reinforce this work during the school day, creating consistency between academic hours and after-school programming. When students practice the same skills in multiple settings, progress accelerates.
Supporting the Whole Student
Social skills are not separate from academic success; they are foundational to it. Students who can communicate effectively, manage their emotions, and collaborate with peers are better equipped to participate in classroom instruction, complete group projects, and navigate transitions throughout the school day. Harbor School's educational programs emphasize social-emotional learning alongside academics, and the after-school program extends that approach.
Skills That Last Beyond School
The social skills students develop in after-school programming carry forward into adulthood. The ability to work cooperatively, resolve conflict, and maintain relationships is essential for employment, independent living, and community participation. Harbor School's life skills program builds on this foundation, helping students prepare for meaningful, connected lives after graduation.
Learn More About Our After-School Program
Harbor School has been providing excellence in special education since 1969, serving students and families across Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean Counties. To learn more about our After-School Social Skills Program or schedule a visit, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
An after-school social skills program is a structured group-based program that helps students develop communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills through recreational activities, team-building exercises, and interactive lessons. These programs are especially beneficial for students with special needs who require additional practice in social settings beyond the regular school day.
Yes. Harbor School in Eatontown, NJ, offers an After-School Social Skills Program presented by Project Enterprise. The program runs Monday through Thursday from 2:30 to 4:00 PM and is led by certified and support staff. It is open to students of all ages and focuses on building communication, teamwork, and social interaction through engaging group activities.
Students with autism often benefit from explicit, repeated practice of social skills in structured settings. After-school programs provide opportunities to practice turn-taking, read social cues, manage emotions, and build peer relationships in a supportive environment under staff guidance. These skills reduce social isolation and improve outcomes across school, home, and community settings.
Harbor School serves students with special needs ages 5 through 21 across New Jersey, including families in Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean Counties. The school has been providing excellence in special education since 1969.
About our School Counselor, Taylor Shea
Taylor Shea graduated from Monmouth University in 2015 with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and in 2019 with her Master’s in School Counseling (M.S.Ed). She has years of experience in the mental health field, serving as a Mental Health Specialist at Rutgers Day School in Piscataway, NJ. After having her first baby in 2021, Mrs. Shea began her journey at Harbor School, facilitating the after-school Social Skills Program for Harbor students.
In the 2023-2024 school year, she was offered a School Counseling position at Harbor School, where she supports students (and staff) of all abilities through Social Emotional Learning, along with a variety of skills, both in classrooms and individually. This is the first time Harbor School has had a school counselor position, which has been beneficial when collaborating with staff, teachers, and colleagues. As a counselor, Mrs. Shea offers a different perspective when it comes to individual and classroom needs. She learns something new every day from her colleagues and students and is eager to continue her journey at Harbor School.
Harbor School is a private special education school in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Our mission at Harbor School in Eatontown, New Jersey, is to help all of our special needs students with learning, social, language, behavioral, and other disabilities. Our highly skilled staff are committed daily to helping each student reach their full potential.
We would be more than happy to discuss your child's specific needs and challenges, so please call us at 732.544.9394. We are located just minutes off the Garden State Parkway at exit 105 and conveniently located off Route 35 and Route 36 in Monmouth County, NJ.
Amy Brandon,
Principal-Harbor School, Eatontown, NJ