About
A Positive Approach to Learning
We engage students with disabilities ages 5-21 in a specialized setting to help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Y.A.L.E. School, with nearly 40 years of experience serving students with special needs and disabilities, expanded to Philadelphia in 2014. Located in vibrant Manayunk, our fully licensed elementary, middle school, and high school programs offer an individualized learning environment and a caring community for students on the autism spectrum or those classified with learning or behavioral challenges.
Students at Y.A.L.E. benefit from that special touch — an individualized program built exclusively for them – to thrive in the classroom. Although academically capable, some students may have struggled in school due to difficulties with sensory, social competency, executive function, anxiety, trauma, behavioral dysregulation, or learning differences. Here at Y.A.L.E, a comprehensive, challenging, and creative curriculum motivates students to become engaged and gain confidence as they experience success — academically, socially, and emotionally. Our programs help students build confidence, so they can love learning again.
Our highly qualified team of special education teachers, BCBA’s, and related services staff work together to support student progress. We share a common mission and welcome parents as partners. At the elementary and middle school level, Y.A.L.E. School Philadelphia provides specialized programming for two populations of learners: those with autism, and those with behavioral and emotional challenges.
Our high school program is exclusively dedicated to serving students on the autism spectrum who need a strong emphasis on language development as well as a comprehensive functional life skills approach to learning. High school students in our program may also continue with us from ages 18 to 21 to further prepare for the transition to adulthood.
We invite you to explore our learning community and see how our programs may best meet the individual needs of your child.
Community-Based Instruction
At Y.A.L.E. School Philadelphia, the community is our classroom. Our students experience community-based instruction in the vibrant and bustling neighborhood of Manayunk as well as the surrounding areas.
Evidence-Based Instruction
We use evidence-based teaching methods that have been proven to work. Data informs our practices and drives decisions shaping our students’ individualized educational programming.
Social and Emotional Development
We engage students in activities designed to teach social skills and social problem solving. Our integrated classroom-based model for mental health and behavioral services emphasizes self-monitoring and self-management – skills critical to improving a student’s social and emotional competencies. Some students receive direct instruction in social skills. Group and individual counseling are also available.
Project-Based Learning
We foster hands-on learning that excites students, and encourages them to participate in high-interest project-based lessons that are both collaborative and aligned with their individual educational levels, promoting inquiry and engagement in relevant, purposeful learning.
Transition Planning
At every grade level, learning has a “future focus.” We explore a student’s interests, uncover their abilities and help them develop new skills that prepare them for the workplace, independent life, or future education.
