new brooklyn campus opening soon

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who we are

GershAutism Academy is more than just a school; it’s a community built on compassion, individualized attention, and a commitment to excellence. We believe that every child, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to excel. We’re here to listen, to guide, and to empower—working hand-in-hand with families to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. We are educators driven by the belief that children do well if they can, and we adapt our methods to best meet each child’s learning style and needs.

who we serve

We serve a diverse range of individuals on the autism spectrum, offering customized learning programs designed to meet the unique needs of each student. With locations in New York, Washington State, New Hampshire, and Puerto Rico, our reach extends across the globe, impacting the lives of hundreds of children and young adults each year. We are dedicated to ensuring that every student receives the right resources and education to succeed, no matter where they come from or what challenges they face.

our legacy

Over the years, Gersh Autism Academy has expanded its programs to meet the growing needs of children on the autism spectrum. From opening additional locations to introducing life skills and vocational training, we continually evolve to ensure that our students receive the most comprehensive and supportive education possible. Every child, every family, and every success story we’ve been a part of has reinforced our mission to provide love, respect, and dignity—values that are at the heart of everything we do.

the gersh difference

What sets Gersh Autism Academy apart is our commitment to customization. We understand that every child is unique, and we strive to develop programs tailored to individual strengths and learning preferences. Our approach goes beyond traditional education, incorporating real-time functional therapy and collaborative efforts between staff and parents to ensure every student receives the support they need—both in the classroom and beyond.

Our mission is to bring education out of the shadows and into the light, helping families navigate the challenges that come with autism. From K-12 education to vocational and life skills training, our programs are designed to prepare students for success in both the academic world and in life.

our founding vision

The vision for Gersh Autism Academy was born in 1991, inspired by one unique child struggling in Kevin Gersh’s educational program. This child’s spirit moved Mr. Gersh to realize that it wasn’t the child who needed to change, but rather the way in which the child was taught. This pivotal moment ignited Mr. Gersh’s lifelong mission to serve children with special needs, and in 1999, Gersh Academy was founded. Since then, it has grown to encompass 11 programs across New York, Washington, New Hampshire, and Puerto Rico.

our history

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West Hills Montessori Academy

In 1991, Mr. Gersh founded West Hills Montessori School. Among the children enrolled in the program was one child with special needs. The lack of diagnosis’ and adequate services designed to assist such children came as a shock to Mr. Gersh and inspired him to redirect his energy toward children with special needs.

Gersh Academy Academy

As a result of his experiences with children with special needs in his schools, Mr. Gersh founded Gersh Academy. This very successful and much-needed program for children ages 5-21 focuses its educational efforts on students on the autism spectrum. Today there are locations in New York, Washington State, and Puerto Rico serving over 500 children on the spectrum.

Gersh Academy International Academy

Upon learning that 1 in 68 children in Puerto Rico are on the autism spectrum, Mr. Gersh saw the pressing need to open their first international Gersh Academy in San Juan. Gersh Academy International is currently the largest and only bilingual school for children with autism in Puerto Rico, and will be opening two additional locations across the island soon.

Therapy Solutions Academy

Mr. Gersh recognized that the educational path of a child on the autism spectrum involves more than just academics. To ensure children who needed critical therapy services were getting the best quality service they could, Mr. Gersh created Therapy Solutions. Therapy Solutions provides occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral support for children on the autism spectrum.

West Hills Academy

Mr. Gersh recognized that it wasn’t only children on the autism spectrum that needed the customized education and individual attention that Gersh programs provide. As such, he created West Hills Academy, a private alternative school that specializes in meeting the needs of students for whom the traditional classroom is not working. This program serves children of all abilities, and is structured to support the individual needs of the students – emotionally, socially, and academically.

Lending a Helping Hand Academy

Each year, Mr. Gersh participates and contributes to various charitable organizations. In 2016, the Gersh organization helped to raise funds for Sunrise Day Camp, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings. Most recently, Mr. Gersh headed up a uniform drive and mentor program for the Wyandanch High School on Long Island. His efforts and personal contributions provided uniforms for hundreds of students in need.

Gersh Academy at Cougar Mountain Academy

Mr. Gersh is proud to bring Gersh Academy’s unique, student-focused approach to the greater Seattle area as an invaluable resource to the many children and young adults in the region who are living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This unique campus is the first school for children with autism in the country that has a zoo on campus! Research has shown that introducing an animal to children with ASD can promote a more relaxed environment and result in a reduction of stress, anxiety and irritation.

Autism Day at Six Flags Great Adventure Academy

In 2018, Mr. Gersh successfully created the first-ever Autism Day at Six Flags Great Adventure event. This one-of-a-kind event put over 100+ Gersh Academy staff members (Special Ed Teachers, Therapists, Administrators, etc.) throughout the park to assist guests, created unique sensory-friendly decompression areas throughout the park for children to unwind, created a special event map with a custom ‘sensory’ rating system for each of the rides, and connected families with professional autism resources right in the park.

We Bend, But Do Not Break Academy

COVID-19 affected everyone. The Gersh team flew into action and helped quickly and efficiently create a more robust distance learning program than ever. Supported by cutting edge technology, we were able to successfully pilot a plan to safely send Behavior Technicians into the home to support the behavioral challenges students on the autism spectrum faced while transitioning to distance learning.