A raging water park in Glendale

The central quad at Tobinworld — a Glendale school that serves students with severe behavioral and emotional problems — was transformed on Friday into a water park that would have rivaled an attraction at Raging Waters.

During breaks from class, students beat back the heat by sliding down a two-story double water slide. Water Day has become an end-of-summer tradition at the school, officials said.

Tobinworld was founded in 1977 by Judy Weber-Israel, the mother of a severely autistic child who was determined to give him the same educational opportunities as others his age. Weber-Israel continues to serve as executive director

In June, the school graduated 23 students, its largest class ever. Tobinworld now enrolls about 300 students, drawing from 22 public school districts.