The Zenith Program

The IDEAL School welcomes children with a wide range of abilities, and those students who need some additional support are part of our Zenith Program. The Zenith Program includes one-to-one or group sessions of speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and/or academic support. As part of our team-teaching model, each student has a learning specialist in the classroom to make curricular adaptations. Therapists, co-teachers, specialists, and the Director of Learning Support all work together as a team to ensure that goals, curriculum, instruction, and support services are individualized to meet each child’s needs and carried over throughout the day.

In keeping with our mission, students enrolled in the Zenith Program are fully included in the school program throughout the entire day. There is no pullout from whole class instruction. Services are provided during our unique Elective Program. All students leave the classroom during electives to attend various enrichment classes (such as drama or chess) or to receive individual or group support. As a result, students needing extra support are not singled out, stigmatized, or forced to miss important academic instruction. When appropriate, students can also participate in specialized electives, such as Play Group or Study and Organizational Skills.

One-third of the students at IDEAL participate in the Zenith Program. The program accommodates a wide range of needs and learning differences and includes children with learning disabilities, attention issues, Down syndrome, developmental delays, and on the autistic spectrum. To learn more about the Zenith Program, please contact our Admissions Office at admissions@theidealschool.org or 212-769-1699.