Now in the final steps of obtaining state accreditation, the Christopher Donovan Day School, an alternative-education private elementary school located on Recovery Road, will open in September.

The school, a nonprofit, will cater to 15 students in grades one through five who have been diagnosed with communication disorders and whose needs cannot be met in a traditional public school setting.

The Christopher Donovan Center, a for-profit tutoring program, has been operating since 2007. Helen Bradbury, president of the center, received School Committee approval to open and operate the private day school last October.

By law, a new private school must be approved by the School Committee in the district in which it resides. It then can seek accreditation on the state level from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The center's motto is "Go light the world with the skills you have learned." Staff members say they see improvements in tutoring students' skills daily and are eager to get the day school up and running.

"The progress we see in the kids [in the tutoring program] is awesome," said Bradbury. "They're so isolated that when they get these added [programs offered in the center], they're thrilled."

The center moved to Recovery Road from its location in Carver in December 2009. It is named for Bradbury's son, Christopher, who whose life was taken from him in 2005 when he was just 22 years old. Christopher was a plumber by trade, but enjoyed working with children and helping people with special needs.

"We're reaching the kids Chris can't," Bradbury said. "The more kids we reach, the bigger tribute."

In an effort to reach as many children as possible, Bradbury and her nine-person staff are holding a Hawaiian luau fundraiser this month to raise money for scholarships and field trips for the nonprofit day school.

The fundraiser will be held on July 30 at the Commercial Club, located on 1 Neilson Ave. in East Bridgewater. Tickets are $30 for adults and $17 for children under age 12.

The donated funds will "allow access to the programs [for] families who may not be able to afford them otherwise," Bradbury said. "All funds raised go directly to the kids."

The event will feature a raffle and auction, which includes autographed Red Sox and Celtics memorabilia, gift baskets, and a year's worth of Organic Valley food products. The luau will also offer a dee-jay, reiki, and crafts and other activities for children. Children will also be able to meet with Samboni, the mascot for the Providence Bruins.

"Have fun for a good cause!" Bradbury said.

The school is still seeking donations for the auction. To donate or for more information or tickets, contact Marianne Donovan at 508-295-5232. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.christopherdonovancenter.com/luau.htm.