June 12, 2018
The NASET award goes to qualified licensed private special education schools that have met exacting professional standards, plus shown exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in special education, and is the highest level of recognition awarded by NASET to those schools.
The ALC, which was established in 1980 and has been recognized three times by U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School, provides a nurturing learning environment for the success of children who have been unable to manage in conventional school settings, including children in residence at Astor’s Residential Programs Rhinebeck and day students from nearby counties.
In addition to social skills training plus speech/language, occupational and counseling/therapy, and other specialized services, the ALC provides a conducive atmosphere for academic learning through small class sizes, high student/teacher ratios, well-equipped and furnished classrooms, a computer lab and wide and windowed hallways where student work is displayed.
“Children benefit from the important work of our knowledgeable and dedicated staff,” said Mary Sontheimer, Astor’s assistant executive director, education and early childhood development programs. “We are glad for this honor by NASET, which recognizes those efforts, and thankful for everyone that works hard on behalf of our children.”