Student Services | Corlears School | Chelsea/West Village, NYC

This multidisciplinary team works in partnership with classroom teachers and division directors to assess students, create accessible learning environments, differentiate curricula, implement modifications and accommodations, and monitor student growth and development.

Composed of a school psychologist, early childhood specialist, and elementary learning specialist, the SST is dedicated to ensuring students receive what they need to learn and thrive in the classroom. On-site services include counseling, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, and the incorporation of SEITs (Special Education Itinerant Teachers) and SETSS (Special Education Teacher Support Services) providers as assigned by the Department of Education.

Corlears School is dedicated to ensuring our students' needs are met; however, please note that as a general education setting we do not have special education teachers in each classroom, nor integrated therapeutic services for children with high support needs who would benefit from a more specialized setting. If you are curious about whether Corlears is the right setting for your child, we encourage you to connect with our Admissions team.

An Inclusive, Data-Informed Approach

As a school dedicated to both early years education and equity and inclusion, we understand and embrace that children learn in diverse ways. The SST collaborates closely with all classroom teachers and division directors to understand each student’s unique learning profile through observations, assessments, and regular meetings, with the goal of empowering every student to fully access the Corlears curriculum.

Throughout the school year, all students undergo assessments designed to indicate where they currently stand in their learning and development journey.

Observation and Reflection in Early Childhood

Observation and reflection in action in PreK

Observation and reflection (or O&R) is at the heart of our Early Childhood curriculum. Classroom teachers document each child’s progress daily, capturing key moments that reveal growth in communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and personal-social interactions with a deep emphasis on social and emotional learning and a commitment to our core values. This practice not only helps teachers tailor learning experiences to individual needs but also serves as a valuable tool for monitoring developmental milestones over time.

To foster a strong school-to-home connection, families are invited to share their own reflections on their child’s milestones, ensuring alignment between classroom observations and home experiences. This collaborative approach supports a shared understanding of each child’s individual growth, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive measurement and evaluation.

Assessments and Differentiation in Elementary

In the elementary years, our approach to student success is centered on supporting academic growth while continuing to monitor social and emotional development. Regular assessments track progress in foundational literacy and math skills, providing valuable data that informs instructional strategies and highlights areas for support or enrichment.

These tools allow teachers and the Student Success Team (SST) to design differentiated instruction tailored to each student’s unique needs. By prioritizing individual growth over time rather than adherence to a one-size-fits-all curriculum, Corlears School fosters a responsive and inclusive learning environment. Families are kept informed of their child’s progress through ongoing communication and reports, promoting a strong school-to-home connection.

From first through fifth grade, students benefit from additional differentiated instruction through WIN (What I Need), an initiative designed to address individual learning goals in math and literacy as determined by their performance in grade-level assessments. WIN groups are flexible and evolve throughout the school year to reflect each child's ongoing growth and development. This personalized approach supports foundational skill-building where intervention is needed, fluency practice for core concepts, and enrichment opportunities for students working above grade level. WIN exemplifies our commitment to meeting every child where they are, ensuring all students grow and thrive academically.

Pathways to Student Success: The Response to Intervention Model

Outside of testing, Corlears teachers are adept at spotting when students could use extra support in their academic, social, or behavioral skills. If testing or classroom observations show that support is needed, SST is ready to partner with teachers to plan tailored modifications and interventions.

At Corlears, the Response to Intervention Model (RTI) is used to meet each student where they are. As outlined below, RTI is a tiered approach that starts at the classroom level and is followed by a responsive intervention plan as determined by how students respond to the core curriculum.

Tier 1:
General Core Instruction

Teachers create inclusive classrooms and provide differentiated instruction for all students, partnering with educational leadership and the SST as needed.

Tier 2:
Targeted Interventions When additional needs are identified, the SST works with teachers to implement small-group or one-on-one interventions during the school day.

Tier 3:
Intensive Interventions Students requiring more significant support receive specialized, individualized instruction from the SST; external providers may also be engaged.

School-to-Home Partnership

We know that raising and educating children takes a village, and that's why we actively engage families and caregivers in their child's schooling, including regularly communicating strategies and resources as student needs are identified. Classroom teachers, division directors, and the members of our Student Success Team are regularly available to meet, to answer questions, to offer ideas to implement strategies at home, and to guide families through the process of obtaining further specialized services. We value the role of families as integral members of our school community, and strive to provide a nurturing environment for children and their grown-ups.

From the Blog

Parents have questions, Corlears has answers! Discover articles, videos, and other resources about early childhood and early years education, plus news and updates from inside Corlears and our wider community.

Visit the Corlears Blog

Is Your Child Kindergarten-Ready? Use This Guide to Find Out

How Practicing Patterns Helps Kindergarteners Think Like Mathematicians

Differences Between Nursery School and Daycare: What to Consider

Reflecting on the True History of Thanksgiving with Children

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Interested in enrolling your child at Corlears School? Subscribe to our mailing list to learn more about your program of interest and to receive updates about admissions, campus visits, and other announcements. Or, you can connect directly with the team at admissions@corlearsschool.org.

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