The Cooke Center School

A Road to independence 

A Cooke education offers students many benefits: individualized academics, lasting friendships, and the opportunity to learn among their typically developing peers.

But perhaps Cooke's greatest offering is a road to independence. In Cooke's classrooms, partner schools and out in the community, our students are discovering their strengths and passions so they can determine for themselves a future that is truly theirs.

From standards-based academics to inclusive arts and sports programs to real-world internships, Cooke students learn every day how to tackle life's challenges and find their place in the world.

Our students

The Cooke Center School educates students from ages 5 to 21, with mild to moderate cognitive or developmental disabilities that severely impact their acquisition of academic, social and daily living skills. Our program is also very effective for students with severe language-based learning disabilities that significantly affect their development of academic and social skills.

Our students live in every borough of the city, reflecting New York's economic and cultural diversity. Many families turn to Cooke because they cannot find public education options that meet the needs of their children. Cooke is committed to maintaining a diverse community of students and to accepting every child who can benefit from our programs, regardless of the family's financial circumstances.

Accreditation

The Cooke Center is proud to be accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and to be a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools.  The Cooke Center Academy is registered as a high school with the New York Board of Regents and can award New York state diplomas.