A Milestone Year for CAPS Collaborative
This school year marks a major milestone in CAPS history. We officially entered our 50th year serving students, families, and school districts across Massachusetts.
In 1975, CAPS started with just eight students, two classrooms, and a small office in the Westminster Cottages at Gardner Hospital. Today, we’ve become a leader in alternative and special education across Massachusetts. With 34 classrooms across the region, spanning from Orange to Newton, CAPS now supports more than 200 students from over 100 districts.
CAPS was founded as a partnership among seven Central Massachusetts districts. Led by our first Director, Everett Thistle, the goal was simple: to help every student with unique learning needs get the support they deserve.
Over the decades, CAPS expanded by building partnerships, adding programs, and making quality special education more accessible for Massachusetts students.
A Snapshot of The First 50 Years
- 1975–1989: CAPS Collaborative was founded as an educational organization serving Central Massachusetts students who needed specialized instruction.
- 1990–2009: CAPS expanded its programs and therapeutic services, adding Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), Kelly Day, and Senators, all programs that still run today.
- 2010–2025: CAPS added transition services and grew into a statewide organization, welcoming the Newton-based DHH program.
- 2025 and beyond: CAPS continues to grow with the opening of a new adult day program in Leominster, MA.
Honoring Robert J. Foley’s Legacy
The 50th school year began with an All-Hands Meeting, bringing together educators and staff to celebrate shared achievements and set the tone for the year ahead. At this meeting, leadership announced the renaming of our flagship Gateway program. The new name will celebrate the lasting legacy of Robert J. Foley, who served as Executive Director from 1980 to 2007.
After serving in the Army and graduating from Fitchburg State, Foley dedicated his life to special education. He first became a teacher at Fitchburg High and then Monty Tech. He later became a visionary leader who helped shape CAPS into what it is today.
To honor his contributions, Gateway is now The Foley Center for Education.
From our humble beginnings to becoming an education leader, our journey is one of growth, partnership, and compassion. We’re thankful for every person who has contributed to our shared success and for the trust from those we serve.
Here’s to the next 50 years of helping all individuals find their true potential and to everyone who continues to be part of our story.
Want to join the celebration? Visit our CAPS School Store for exclusive 50th anniversary gear!