School Age Program

We are pleased to announce our new school age program, the Manhattan STAR Academy. The Manhattan STAR Academy will use the highly acclaimed New York League Model©, a multi-disciplinary approach developed by YAI’s member agency, the New York League for Early Learning.  This model emphasizes a multi-sensory approach and encourages growth and independence across all domains of child development.

For years, parents whose children received services from the YAI Network have asked us to develop a school age program based on The New York League Model©. The school is an out-growth of those requests.

To meet this critical need, YAI is now accepting applications to the Manhattan STAR Academy, which will:

• Serve 5-6 year olds with a range of developmental delays and disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and global developmental delays;
• Open with two classrooms – one to serve 8 children with developmental disabilities and one to serve 8 children with ASD; one teacher and two assistant instructors will teach each class;
• Use The New York League Model©, which combines the finest elements of the best early childhood practices and strategies;
• Individualize comprehensive, state-of-the art education plans for each child while following the New York State Education Department academic curriculum;
• Provide all therapies after the school day, including speech, occupational and physical therapies;
• Offer on-site, family support groups; and
• Be funded by annual tuition fees paid by parents who may choose to pursue reimbursement from the New York State Education Department.

For more about the school and the application process, please contact Manhattan STAR Academy Principal, Rae Eisdorfer at rae.eisdorfer@yai.org.