Academics West

Academics West is a special education school in New York, NY, located at 37 W 65th St. The institution serves K-12 students with emotional and learning differences as an independent high-support college preparatory school. It utilizes the proprietary Clinically Informed Academics model, which integrates clinical and educational skill development to support students academically and social-emotionally. The approach treats learning differences as weaknesses that can be strengthened through evidence-based intervention and metacognitive strategies, helping students become confident, strategic learners who understand their unique strengths. By customizing programs to individual needs and embedding support directly into the daily schedule, the school avoids disrupting academic progress. This method aims to help students blossom into productive, self-valuing leaders while preserving family stability by providing comprehensive care within a day program rather than requiring residential placement.

Founded in 2011 by Dr. Jeffrey Kassinove and Dr. Evan Flamenbaum, both mental health professionals and educators, Academics West emerged from their frustration with standard educational settings that failed students who did not fit traditional expectations. The co-founders developed a philosophy centered on family preservation and the integration of executive functioning into every student’s support plan. The school maintains a selective student body of approximately 75 to 80 students, with a capacity of 88. Class sizes are kept small to ensure individualized instruction; the Lower School averages a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1:1, while the Upper School maintains similarly low ratios. Leadership includes Assistant Head of School Thea Cruz, Director of Education Matthew Boynton, and Clinical Director Thomas Kui, PsyD. The faculty includes licensed mental health counselors who primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and are trained in evidence-based de-escalation interventions to ensure a least-restrictive environment.

Academics West has earned Accreditation with Distinction from Cognia, the highest level of recognition in the organization’s system. The school’s therapeutic milieu emphasizes organic interactions between staff and students, supplemented by mandatory individual and group counseling sessions. Staff members participate in weekly didactic series delivered by outside specialists and receive ongoing training in the latest treatment modalities. The school also engages the community through events such as Community Day, student showcases, and prom, fostering a supportive environment where students can celebrate their achievements. By addressing both academic and social-emotional needs, the school helps students overcome executive dysfunction and develop the skills necessary for long-term success.

Academics West provides specialized, clinically informed support for students with learning differences in New York, combining therapeutic care with rigorous academic preparation to help them thrive.

The school sits on W 65th St in New York, NY, just a tenth of a mile from West 66th Street and the Young People's Chorus of New York City. It is also near the Ethical Culture School and the American Folk Art Museum.

BizScoreAI gives the website a Content Quality score of 100 out of 100, which means the site answers customer questions clearly enough for AI assistants to quote directly. The Technical score is 90 out of 100. The business ranks number 2 of 14 Special education school businesses that BizScoreAI has scored in New York.