East Mountain School-Middle and High School

Compassionate Care Through Support and Education

Established in 1981, The East Mountain School (EMS) is a private, non-profit, special education school operated by Carrier Clinic, and approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education. East Mountain School offers programing for 7th through 12th-grade, special education students. Our program is designed to provide quality special education and intensive therapeutic services for adolescents challenged by behavioral or psychiatric disorders.

Why Choose East Mountain School?

At East Mountain School, our mission is to provide a safe, challenging and supporting educational community that is responsive to the individual needs of our students. Our students benefit from a therapeutic, structured environment which incorporates the academic, behavioral, and counseling components all geared to increase the academic skills and coping strategies of the students.

Principal Dr. Stacey Paulis

Dr. Paulis, second from left, with East Mountain School educators.

East Mountain School Director and Principal Dr. Stacey Paulis has been a teacher since 1991, moving to school administration in 2002. She served as principal and director of Special Education at the Somerset County Educational Services Commission for a decade before coming to East Mountain School as director/principal - a position she has held for over 12 years. Dr. Paulis received her Doctorate in Education from Seton Hall University and earned her Masters, Educational Administration, from Kean University.

"The students are the easy part of this job. We are here to meet them where they are and then build from there," Dr. Paulis says. "I love it at East Mountain School because we employ teachers who have special education training and therapists who work just about daily with all of the students. At the end of the day, we're united by one purpose - to support, guide and empower our students toward success. We're all on the same page and I'm proud to walk this journey with our incredible students and EMS family."

Meet Teacher Edith Battle

“This work matters deeply to me.”

Back to school is a special time, and at our East Mountain School, it's filled with special people - like Edith.

Edith's teaching career spans more than four decades, and she now marks her fourth year with EMS. It's the latest step along a path marked by impact, inspiration and advocacy for students facing behavioral health challenges.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue making a positive impact on the lives of children and adolescents,” Edith says. “Each day, I’m reminded of the importance of empathy, patience and understanding in building strong relationships and supporting student growth.”

She brings both personal and professional experience to the role, as the mother of a neurodivergent son who experienced years of misdiagnosis. “I have developed a deep understanding of the importance of tailored support and strategies for each child,” Edith says. “I am committed to helping young people develop meaningful strategies to overcome their challenges, build self-esteem and experience a level of success.”

Over the course of her journey, Edith has been certified as a teacher of students with disabilities, gained a master's in education, won the Governor's Humanitarian Award in Teaching while in North Carolina and been named Teacher of the Year while in Newark Public Schools.

She retired from Newark in 2020, but two years later, her passion for teaching called her back. A friend introduced her to EMS, and her path changed once more.

“I work with incredible colleagues and I am thrilled to be part of an organization that shares my values and commitment to supporting children and adolescents with behavioral health challenges.”

She teaches seventh and eighth grade, often the entry point for students new to the program. It's a perfect fit.

“I’m excited to meet new students this coming school year and to continue to support our returning students as they grow and progress,” Edith says. “The most rewarding part of my job is getting to know each student as a unique individual. I am constantly learning from them, and their perspectives on the world are a valuable source of inspiration.”

New School Year Information for Families

• Remote Road Forward 2025-2026
• EMS Bell Schedule 25-26
• East Mountain School Calendar 25-26
• EMS ESY 25-26 Flyer

Resources

• Lead Drinking Water Testing - Analytical Report
• Lead Drinking Water Test Results
• Lead Testing Parent Letter 25-26 SY
• Asbestos Management Plan 25-26
• Hazing Harassment Intimidation & Bullying 25-26
• HIB Incident Form for Parents/Caregivers 25-26 (English)
• HIB Incident Form for Parents/Caregivers 25-26 (Spanish)
• HIB Incident Form Personnel 25-26
• Annual Integrated Pest Management Notice 25-26
• Integrated Pest Management Policy 25-26
• Summer EBT Benefits 2025 (English)
• Summer EBT Benefits 2025 (Spanish
• Lunch Application Packet 25-26 (English)
• Lunch Application Packet 25-26 (Spanish)
• Process & Procedure for Outstanding Lunch Balance 25-26
• School Wellness Policy
• EMS - Wellness Policy Assessment Tool 25-26
• USDA Nondiscrimination Statement (English)
• USDA Nondiscrimination Statement (Spanish)

School Accreditation

Department of Education East Mountain School is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education National Association Member of the National Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children (a national association of agencies that conduct research on special education issues) ASAH
Member of the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped (ASAH), an organization that acts as a liaison with educational and state governmental agencies and private schools for handicapped children Quality Education
Member of the Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey

Ensuring safe drinking water for our students

The health and safety of all students and staff are the top priority for East Mountain School at Carrier Clinic. With national events bringing increased attention to the issue of water quality, and in compliance with Department of Education regulations, we tested all of our school’s drinking water and food preparation outlets for lead. Sample collection, including identifying water outlets to be tested, carefully followed the guidance given by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. We received the results of those tests on April 29, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions