A Parents Guide to the Most Prestigious Special Education Schools in the Northeast of the United States

Alpine Learning Group, Eagle Hill School, The ELIJA School, The New England Center for Children, and The Summit School are among the leading

^{*Many of the private schools listed are independent, which means there is a direct independently-funded tuition. However, some states (i.e., New York and New Jersey) also have approved private schools providing special education services where each students' local school district approves to cover the tuition for he or she to attend there.}

Alpine Learning Group

_{^{777 Paramus Road}}

_{^{Paramus, New Jersey 07652}}

_{^{(201) 612-7800}}

_{^{Established: 1988}}

_{^{Founder: Bridget Taylor, Fred Bunker, Debra Gladstone, Mark Gladstone, and Linda S. Meyer}}

_{^{Chief Executive Officer/Owner: Bridget Taylor, Psy.D., B.C.B.A.-D}}

_{^{Principal: Kate Cerino, Ed.D., B.C.B.A.}}

_{^{Grades: PK-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Spoken Language Impairment}}

_{^{Programs: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy (Early Intensive Behavior Intervention, Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support, and Social Skills Training), Day School, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Vocational Training}}

The Child School and Legacy High School

_{^{587 Main Street}}

_{^{New York, New York 10044}}

_{^{(212) 223-5055}}

_{^{Established: 1975}}

_{^{Founder: Maari de Souza}}

_{^{Executive Director/Owner: Vishu Grover}}

_{^{Elementary School Director: Nicole Vaccaro}}

_{^{Middle School Director: Edlynne Victoria Safi}}

_{^{High School Director: Michelle Hagon}}

_{^{Admissions: Sophia McCullough}}

_{^{Grades: K-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Intellectual Disability, Speech Dysfluency, Speech Sound Disorders, Spoken Language Impairment, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: Band, Basketball Team, Counseling, Day School, Musical Theater, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Summer Academic Program, Tutoring, Vocational Training}}

The Churchill School and Center

_{^{301 East 29th Street}}

_{^{New York, New York 10016}}

_{^{(212) 722-0610}}

_{^{Established: 1972}}

_{^{Founder: Arnold Schickler and Harry S. Valentine}}

_{^{Headmaster/Owner: Timothy P. Madigan, Ph.D.}}

_{^{Elementary School Principal: Sara Cohen}}

_{^{Middle School Principal: Gina Manes}}

_{^{High School Principal: Jason Wallin}}

_{^{Admissions: Sarah Szen}}

_{^{Grades: K-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, Mild ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Speech Dysfluency, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: Counseling, Day School, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Tutoring, Vocational Training}}

Eagle Hill School

_{^{45 Glenville Road}}

_{^{Greenwhich, Connecticut 06831}}

_{^{(203) 622-9240}}

_{^{Established: 1975}}

_{^{Founder: Len Tavormina}}

_{^{Headmaster/Owner: Jim Heus}}

_{^{Upper School Division Head: Jenn Harkins}}

_{^{Lower School Division Head: Shari Bloomer}}

_{^{Admissions: Jennifer Shirazi}}

_{^{Grades: K-10}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: Inattentive ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Speech Dysfluency}}

_{^{Programs: Counseling, Day and Residential School, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Summer Academic Program, Tutoring}}

The ELIJA School

_{^{11 Laurel Lane}}

_{^{Levittown, New York 11756}}

_{^{(516) 216-5270}}

_{^{Established: 2006}}

_{^{Founder/Chief Executive Officer/Owner: Debora Thivierge}}

_{^{Executive Director: Monica Howard, Ph.D., B.C.B.A.-D}}

_{^{Grades: PK-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ASD, Spoken Language Impairment}}

_{^{Programs: ABA Therapy (Early Intensive Behavior Intervention, Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support, and Social Skills Training), Day School, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Vocational Training}}

The Gateway School

_{^{211 West 61st Street}}

_{^{New York, NY 10023}}

_{^{(212) 777-5966}}

_{^{Established: 1964}}

_{^{Founder: Martha Bernard}}

_{^{Headmaster/Owner: Laurie Gruhn}}

_{^{Lower School Director: Christy Brockhausen}}

_{^{Middle School Director: Eilan Seidel}}

_{^{Admissions: Ellen Grayson, Danielle Tandet, and Paula Wallace}}

_{^{Grades: K-8}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, Mild ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Speech Dysfluency, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: After School Clubhouse, Athletic Teams, Counseling, Day School, Occupational Therapy, Social Skills Instruction, Speech Therapy, Tutoring}}

The Lowell School

_{Elementary & Middle School Headquarters:}

_{^{24-20 Parsons Boulevard}}

_{^{Whitestone, New York 11357}}

_{^{(718) 352-3525}}

_{^{Established: 1968}}

_{^{Executive Director/Owner: Dede Proujansky}}

_{^{Elementary & Middle School Principal: Elizabeth Simona}}

_{^{Elementary & Middle School Admissions: Alicia Devins}}

_{^{High School Principal: Irene Psilakis}}

_{^{High School Admissions: Paul Phillips}}

_{^{Grades: 2-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Physical Discoordination, Speech Dysfluency, Speech Sound Disorders, Spoken Language Impairment, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: After School Enrichment Program, Basketball Team, Counseling, Chorus/Band, Day School, Occupational Therapy, Performing Arts, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Tutoring}}

Mary McDowell Friends School (formerly Mary McDowell Center for Learning)

^{Lower School & Administrative Offices:}

_{^{20 Bergen Street}}

_{^{Brooklyn, New York 11201}}

_{^{(718) 625-3939}}

_{^{Established: 1984}}

_{^{Headmaster/Owner: Debbie Zlotowitz}}

_{^{Upper School Director: Mark Doty}}

_{^{Middle School Director: Courtney Jimenez}}

_{^{Lower School Director: Hannah Finn Wiltshire}}

_{^{Admissions: Pam Cotto and Tiffany Huggins}}

_{^{Grades: Ungraded (Aged 5-12)}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: Inattentive ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Physical Discoordination, Speech Dysfluency, Speech Sound Disorder, Spoken Language Impairment}}

_{^{Programs: Afterschool Program, Athletics Team, Counseling, Day School, Occupational Therapy, Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support, Social Skills Training, Speech Therapy, Tutoring}}

The New England Center for Children

_{^{33 Turnpike Road}}

_{^{Southborough, Massachusetts 01772}}

_{^{(508) 481-1015}}

_{^{Established: 1975}}

_{^{Founder: Vincent Strully, Dudley Orr, and John Pangburn}}

_{^{Chief Executive Officer/President/Owner: Vincent Strully}}

_{^{Executive Director: Catherine M. Welch}}

_{^{Admissions: Bethany McCann}}

_{^{Grades: PK-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ASD, Spoken Language Impairment}}

_{^{Programs: ABA Therapy (Early Intensive Behavior Intervention, Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support, and Social Skills Training), Day and Residential School, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy}}

NSU Baudhuin Preschool

_{^{3301 College Avenue}}

_{^{Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314}}

_{^{(800) 541-6682}}

_{^{Director: Alex Lopes, Ed.D.}}

_{^{Admissions: Tammy Gips}}

_{^{Grades: PK}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ASD, Spoken Language Impairment}}

_{^{Programs: ABA Therapy (Early Intensive Behavior Intervention, Pivotal Response Treatment, and Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support), Day School, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Feeding Therapy, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Social Skills Instruction, Speech Therapy, TEACCH Program}}

Robert Louis Stevenson School

_{^{24 West 74th Street}}

_{^{New York, New York 10023}}

_{^{(212) 787-6400}}

_{^{Established: 1908}}

_{^{Headmaster/Owner: Chris Ongaro, Ed.D.}}

_{^{Admissions: Joe Surak and Ben Weeks}}

_{^{Grades: 8-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, Mild ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Speech Dysfluency, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: Athletic Teams, Band / Choir, Counseling (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBTs), including Cognitive Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Day School, Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support, Social Skills Instruction, Tutoring}}

The Smith School

_{^{131 West 86th Street}}

_{^{New York, New York 10024}}

_{^{Established: 1990}}

_{^{Headmaster/Owner: Karen Smith}}

_{^{Admissions: Amanda Mandel}}

_{^{Grades: 6-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, Mild ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Speech Dysfluency, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: Counseling, Choir / Band, Day School, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Tutoring}}

Stephen Gaynor School

_{^{148 West 90th Street}}

_{^{New York, NY 10024}}

_{^{(212) 787-7070}}

_{^{Established: 1962}}

^{_{Founders: Miriam Michael, Ph.D. and Yvette Siegel-Herzog}}

_{^{Headmaster/Owner: Scott Gaynor, Ph.D.}}

_{^{Early Childhood Director: Rebecca Jurow}}

_{^{Lower School Director: Donna Logue}}

_{^{Middle School Director: Christine Karamanoglou}}

_{^{Admissions: Juliana May and Mindy Stern}}

_{^{Grades: Ungraded (Aged 5-13)}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, Mild ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Speech Dysfluency, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: Afterschool Program, Athletic Teams, Community Learning Center, Day School, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Summer Camp, Tutoring}}

The Summit School

_{Upper School & Administrative Offices:}

_{^{187-30 Grand Central Parkway}}

_{^{Jamaica, New York 11432}}

^{_{Established: 1968}}

_{^{Founder: Hershel Stiskin}}

_{^{Director Emeritus: Judith Gordon, Ph.D}}

_{^{Executive Director/Owner: Bruce Goldsmith, Ph.D.}}

_{^{Director/Owner/Upper School Principal: Allison Edwards}}

_{^{Director/Owner/Lower School Principal: Karen Frigenti}}

_{^{Admissions: Nancy Morgenroth}}

_{^{Grades: 3-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, Mild ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Speech Dysfluency, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: After School Enrichment Program, Choir / Band, Basketball Team, Counseling, Day School, Occupational Therapy, Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support (Contingency Contracting and Honor Code Program), Social Skills Instruction, Speech Therapy, Tutoring, Work-Based Learning Program}}

Summit School at Nyack (formerly Summit Children's Residence Center)

_{^{339 North Broadway}}

_{^{Nyack, New York 10960}}

_{^{(845) 358-7772}}

_{^{Established: 1974}}

_{^{Founder: Mayer Stiskin}}

_{^{Executive Director/Owner: Bruce Goldsmith, Ph.D.}}

_{^{Director/Owner: Brant Goldsmith, Ph.D.}}

_{^{Principal: Deborah Dolan}}

^{_{Admissions: Jennifer Robertson}}

_{^{Grades: 6-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, Mild ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Speech Dysfluency, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: Counseling, Day and Residential School, Nutritional Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychiatric Treatment, Recreational Programming, Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support, Social Skills Instruction, Speech Therapy, Tutoring, Vocational Training}}

Winston Preparatory School

_{^{Established: 1981}}

_{^{Locations: California, Connecticut, Long Island, New York City, New Jersey}}

_{^{Executive Director/Owner: Scott Bezsylko}}

_{^{Grades: 6-12}}

_{^{Diagnoses Served: ADHD, Mild ASD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Mild Intellectual Disability, Speech Sound Disorders, Speech Dysfluency, Spoken Language Impairment, Tic Disorders}}

_{^{Programs: Academic Summer Program, After School Enrichment, Basketball Team, Day School, Performing Arts, Tutoring}}

^California:

^{_{1 Saint Vincents Drive}}

^{_{San Rafael, California 94903}}

^{_{(415) 993-5533}}

^{_{Headmaster/Admissions: Kristin Atkins}}

^Connecticut:

^{57 West Rocks Road}

^{Norwalk, Connecticut 06851}

^{(203) 229-0465}

^{Headmaster: Beth Sugerman}

^{Admissions: Michelle Rolfe}

^{Long Island:}

^{30 Deforest Road}

^{Dix Hills, New York 11746}

^{(631) 779-2400}

^{Headmaster: Keith Oncale}

^{Admissions: Karen Preston}

^{New York City:}

^{126 West 17 Street}

^{New York, New York 10011}

^{(212) 496-8400}

^{Headmaster: Sandy Hagerty}

^{Admissions: Alyson Walmsley}

^{New Jersey:}

^{901 Route 10 East}

^{Whippany, New Jersey 07981}

^{(973) 500-6480}

^{Headmaster: Greg Koehlert}

^{Admissions: Meredith Fisher}

^Transitions:

_{^{240 Madison Avenue}}

_{^{New York, New York 10016}}

_{^{(646) 869-4600}}

_{^{Headmaster: John Civita}}

_{^{Admissions: Lauren Kellner}}

Notes

• ^{Spoken Language Impairment refers to an oral impairment in acquiring spoken language that is caused by either expressive or receptive (comprehension) language deficits. Receptive language delays are the result of Aphasia (caused by neurological damage, i.e., Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.), Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing Disorder, and Dyslexia.}
• ^{Speech Sound Disorders (APA/DSM-5), formerly called Phonological Disorder (APA/DSM-IV) and Speech Articulation Disorder (WHO/ICD-10), are disorders related to difficulties in the transmission, articulation, and perceptual production (whether visual or auditory) of pronouncing oral speech sounds (phonetics). Speech Sound Disorders include Blind, Deaf, Dysarthria (slurred speech), and Verbal Apraxia (motor planning).}
• ^{Speech Dysfluency is a term used to describe Stuttering. Other titles for it are Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder (APA/DSM-5) and Developmental Speech Fluency Disorder (WHO/ICD-11) as well.}
• ^{Physical Discoordination is also known as Dyspraxia, Developmental Coordination Disorder (APA/DSM-5), and Developmental Motor Coordination Disorder (WHO/ICD-11).}
• ^{Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the application of the science of behavior change (i.e., through the use of positive reinforcement) and initially employs assessments to identify the function of a given behavior. Although ABA is broadly researched for a wide array of diagnoses and consists of many techniques varying to which the science is applied, it is typically funded as an early intervention for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In the context of teaching spoken language to children with ASD, ABA teaching modalities include Early Intensive Behavior Intervention (Discrete Trial Training and Incidental Teaching) for receptive language delays, and Pivotal Response Treatment, which is more beneficial for expressive language delays.}