Beekman & Heartwood
Beekman Center serves students in the Ingham ISD service area who qualify for services under the categories of moderate and severe cognitive impairments, severe multiple impairments, and autism spectrum disorders. Beekman Center staff collaborate with local school districts and families to offer center-based programs and services tailored to each student's needs, as determined by the IEP process. Enrollment at Beekman Center requires local district involvement and cannot be done independently. Students attending Beekman Center range in age from 3 to 26.
1968: A Groundbreaking Beginning
Architect Marvin E. Beekman and founding principal John Breaugh opened one of the first schools in the world dedicated exclusively to students in center-based programs. At that time, no laws mandated formal education for students with special needs. Ingham ISD invested approximately $1.4 million in this visionary facility.
National Recognition
Lady Bird Johnson visited the Beekman Center as part of her broader efforts to promote education and support for individuals with disabilities, bringing national attention to this innovative model.
Inspired Regional Programming
Shortly after Beekman opened, several other ISDs and large districts followed suit, opening center-based programs throughout the state.
Key features of the new Beekman Center would include:
Welcoming entrance with a canopy and heated sidewalks to accommodate students with mobility challenges, ensuring safe access via bus and auto loops.
Spacious, Secure Vestibule: Visitors would enter through a secure vestibule directly accessible to the welcome center.
Seamless Circulation: Easily supervised main pathway, flooded with natural light.
Interactive Streetscape: Specialized activity areas simulating daily experiences found in towns and villages supporting student life skill development.
Flexible Learning Spaces: Universally designed classrooms would include adjacent restrooms and storage components to meet diverse needs of students.
Outdoor Accessibility: Easy access to outdoor spaces from classroom houses as well as enhanced play areas, patios and walking paths and necessary improvements to driveways.
