cooke center Middle School
Middle School is a time like no other. As budding teens set out to test the waters of adulthood, they begin to explore new friendships, interests and even possible career paths.
The Cooke Center Middle School provides young adolescents with the strong academics, social activities, and real-world experience they need to plan for an independent future and a smooth transition to high school.
Our students range from ages 11 through 15 and have mild to moderate developmental disabilities, and significant language and learning disabilities.
IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND
Cooke's Middle School classrooms are located in the School of the Blessed Sacrament, our partner school. Our students are welcomed as an integral part of the school's community.
Instruction
Cooke's small, multi-age classroom groupings allow for the flexibility to focus on each student's strengths and needs. Teachers use a range of individualized instruction strategies to reach all learners in each class.
The Cooke Center Middle School focuses on the following areas of development:
- Academic Skills-- grounded in the NYS Standards for Learning and best practices in special education
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving-- for developing solutions in real-world contexts
- Social Skills and Values-- skills that support self-awareness and building friendships
- Emotional Health-- self-confidence, respect for others, and responsible personal behavior
- Physical Education and Movement-- programs that develop motor skills, team spirit, self-confidence, and appreciation of dance and physical movement
- The Arts and Technology-- participation in the appreciation of musical, visual and performing arts as well as print and electronic media.
Inclusive Opportunities
Interaction with our partner school's general education students makes for a rich middle school experience. Cooke students eat lunch with typically developing middle schoolers; join them for field trips, holiday parties and dances; and exercise with them in the New York Road Runners Mighty Milers program. General education students come to Cooke's classrooms for arts and movement, and Cooke students may participate in Blessed Sacrament's after school program.
Where appropriate, and with in-classroom support from a Cooke teacher, some Middle School students study academic subjects such as math and science with the school's general education students.
Clubs and Community Service
In addition to standards-based academics, Cooke middle schoolers experience all the "extras" young teens look for in a school environment. Students can choose from one of several Friday afternoon clubs such as tennis, cooking, film and yoga.
Early exposure to community service has students volunteering in nursing homes, food pantries, community gardens and more, enhancing a positive civic attitude and social skills.
Cooke middle schoolers often go on to high school at the Cooke Center Academy, where the same Cooke philosophy, instructional methods and even some of the same staff allow for a seamless transition.
LOCATION
The Cooke Center Middle School's classrooms are located in the School of the Blessed Sacrament on W. 70th Street in Manhattan.
Please visit our admissions page for information on applying to the Cooke Center Middle School.
