The Center School has served students with learning disabilities since 1971. Most of the school’s 100 students in grades 1-12 are on the autism spectrum, and there’s a transition program for high school graduates up to age 21 who may not be ready to pursue college and want to go to vocational school or enter the workforce.
“This past spring our high school graduating class represented the diversity of our school’s abilities to serve the various needs of our students,” says Executive Director Dr. Ronald Rinaldi. “Four of our eleven graduates are going to college, to include Ohio State, Temple University, and community colleges. Six others are moving into our transition program here at the school to gain work training experience.”
From physical and occupational therapy, counseling and behaviorists, and reading and speech/language therapists, The Center School has everything that a student with special needs requires to be successful.
Along with an academic curriculum that mirrors that of mainstream schools, students have access to electives like music, art and woodshop as well as afterschool clubs and athletics like soccer and basketball.
There are also trips, concerts, plays and more, as well as an e-sports gaming program where students can compete against other schools.
“Many parents don’t realize schools like ours exist and that we offer so many typical school-related opportunities found in district schools,” Rinaldi says. “We combine the traditional with the additional special education-related services these students need to be successful.”
2 Riverview Dr., Somerset
908-253-3870
thecenterschool.com
