2019 Blackboard Award Honoree: Atlas School

Atlas School
Executive Director Amanda Friedman
Ages 7-21
252 West 29th Street, 3^rd Floor
atlasforautism.org

Award: Outstanding School

Describe your school’s core educational philosophy.

Atlas honors and embraces students’ unique minds, spirits, and voices. Empowered communication and respect for student’s passions and abilities ease them into rich social and emotional relationships and experiences. Self-identity, growth and joyful engagement join with academic learning and choice-driven community integration to aid students in pursuit of their own life goals and happiness.

Tell us about a few of the school’s achievements or distinguishing programs.

Our school was recently identified and chosen by Lowe’s Heroes Project for our nonprofit community work and integrity as a special-ed school—we received donated time and materials and labor to renovate our 7,300-square-ft space with new paint, sinks, cabinets, sensory friendly lighting, and other repairs. We pride ourselves on truly differentiated instruction and an inclusion based model that builds self-confidence and empathy for others. Our program includes a multi-strategic model and a focus on mindfulness and communication that is unique and powerful in a very personal and profound manner. Our foundation provides free open play programs opening our school to the public every other Saturday encouraging neurodiverse connections, parent and caregiver support, and a fun judgement-free zone to bring people together!

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What’s new?

This past year we were recognized by Access VR and the NYC Placement Consortium for our “commitment to the promotion of employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.” We are a versatile school looking to meet the needs of our students and the community as they shift and expand. It is our honor to collaborate and connect with other schools and organizations in the community to truly build and sustain a village of children and adults who know they are seen, respected, and valued for the incredible people they are and with potential that knows no ceiling!

What do you love about your school?

What I love most about our school is our complete dedication to authenticity. We pride ourselves on our ever expanding repertoire of strategies, supports, and creative forms of communication and resourcefulness for our amazing kids. Our team is caring and motivated to incorporate presence, character, and a love of learning into every nook and cranny of every day and our students and families know we are here to make the most impact possible helping them achieve the greatest learning, peace of mind, and happiness.

Ghostlight Theater Camp

Ghostlight Theater Camp is a summer theater camp for campers ages 9-17. Providing 10-day, 3-week, and 6-week programs that combine high-caliber theater training with a traditional summer camp experience.&nbsp; Working with Broadway artists both in classes and in productions, campers will have access to skill development, mentorships, and lifelong connections that will follow them beyond camp. Ghostlight focuses on ensemble theatre values and practicies that support individuality and self-expression in the context of community. This means that no camper at Ghostlight is in the back row or sitting on the side. Each day brings multiple opportunities to perform and create with fellow campers in an environment filled with support.&nbsp; When not making theater, campers can enjoy the benefits of a summer camp in Maine that no other theater camp offers. Stargazing in a hammock, walks in the woods, downtime by the pool, and quiet time reading in the Gazebos with the sound of wind all around are some of highlights of a summer unplugged and away from screens.&nbsp; Finally, the most meaningful and lasting gift of a summer at Ghostlight is the friendships made that last a lifetime. Though the love of theater brings us together, and the work we do stands out from other experiences, the community focus of Ghostlight Theater Camp is why we hear, year after year, that campers cannot wait to return.&nbsp;

OASIS DAY CAMP LIU POST – Long Island

Give Your Child A Lifetime of Memories At A Beautiful Summer Oasis 25 AMAZING SUMMERS, LIFELONG FRIENDS! A traditional day camp in every way, Oasis prides itself on quality programming at parent-friendly prices with the most well trained, caring staff in the industry. Oasis LIU Post Beautiful 300-acre campus, over 90 activities for kids 3-16, Sports, Daily Swim, Enrichment + Teen Travel,&nbsp; air-conditioned indoor facilities, and the great outdoor green shady fields and athletic facilities! Daily hot lunch, snacks and transportation options.

Center for Architecture Summer Programs

The Center for Architecture promotes public understanding and appreciation of architecture and design through educational programs for K-12 students and teachers, families, and the general public. Summer Programs give curious kids an opportunity to dive into an architectural topic of interest and test out their own design ideas. Each program explores a different theme through art and building activities, design challenges, guided investigations of architectural examples, and special site visits. Summer Programs are week-long classes, Monday &ndash; Friday, for students entering grades 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12 in Fall 2023. This summer, we are offering programs both in-person at the Center for Architecture and online. Need-based scholarships are available (application deadline May 1). 2023 Programs run June 26 &ndash; August 25. Topics listed below. See website for specific dates, prices, scholarship information, and registration. Grades 3-5 Parks and Playgrounds Treehouses Building Bridges Animal Architecture Architectural Wonders Lunar Living Store Design Dream House Skyscrapers Grades 6-8 Green Island Home Treehouses Digital Design: Lunar Living &ndash; Online Skyscrapers Digital Design: Bridges Public Art and Architecture Survival Architecture Digital Design: Tiny Houses Store Design Grades 9-12 Drawing Architecture &ndash; In-Person Drawing Architecture &ndash; Online Architectural Design Studio (2-week program) Digital Design: City Design &ndash; Online Digital Design: Tiny Houses &ndash; Online Pop-Up Shop Digital Design: House of the Future &nbsp;