The Seton Foundation for Learning is a not for profit, non-sectarian organization that supports special education programs in Staten Island, New York. It is the goal of the Seton Foundation for Learning to ensure that our children are provided with an appropriate educational program that enables each child to attain a level of independence that will allow that child to contribute appropriately to society and to reach their full potential. This goal is attained through the provision of a strong sequential educational and prevocational curriculum that provides the student with the fundamental skills needed to enter training programs for competitive employment and independent living.

The Seton Foundation for Learning for Learning was founded in February 1985, through parental initiative, to establish an alternate education setting and provide a positive learning atmosphere for school aged children with special needs. The first class for children 5 to 6 years of age opened in September 1986. Each succeeding year a class was added, and in September 1989, the intermediate class serving students through 14 years of age was in place. Long range plans for the school had always included the development of a high school component, and this goal was attained with the opening of the Bishop Patrick V. Ahern High School in September 1998.

The Seton Foundation for Learning for Learning provides comprehensive educational services for children with special needs and their families. Full time, certified, special education teachers provide both group and individual instruction in all curriculum areas. The primary objectives of the school are academic growth and development, development of a positive self-image, social and emotional development, communication skill development and the development of prevocational and vocational skills

While the children are enrolled in self contained classrooms, they are provided with opportunities throughout the day to be included with their age appropriate peers with the children of the host school. This is a strong component of our program and produces remarkable results in the development of our children. We consider it essential. A further benefit is the effect it has upon the children of the host school, helping them to be more understanding and compassionate in their attitude towards individuals with special needs.

In addition to the individually oriented instruction in the classroom, the children receive support services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, sign language instruction and health as a related service, as mandated on their Individualized Education Program. Licensed professionals contracted through the New York City Department of Education provide these support services in accord with the specified frequency and duration on the child’s I.E.P.

We have made great strides since our inception in 1985. Throughout our many years of operation, various types of programs and projects have been implemented to enhance the scope of learning for our children, including the implementation of computer based instruction. The use of iPads and SMART technology help us to better teach language skills, social skills and independent living skills which are all major components of our curriculum.

In September 1994, the Seton Foundation for Learning began to meet the needs of developmentally disabled children 2.9 to 5 years of age with the development of the Joan Ann Kennedy Memorial Preschool. This program is a New York State Department of Education approved evaluation and center based program for children with moderate to severe delays and children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. The program operates in a barrier free building and addresses the needs of ambulatory and non-ambulatory children. The preschool, along with the Mother Franciska Elementary School, is housed on the grounds of St. Joseph Hill Academy in a state of the art building, which is in full compliance with all ADA regulations and affords our students many opportunities for inclusion with their typically developing peers.

The long-range plans of the Seton Foundation for Learning had always included the development of a high school component to serve students 14 to 21 years of age. This was a most important objective for us to attain, as it provided our students with continuity in a well thought out education program from preschool to high school.

This dream was realized in September 1998, when the Bishop Patrick V. Ahern High School opened on the grounds of Moore Catholic High School in temporary space. The construction of our own building on the campus of Moore Catholic was completed in September 1999. This program was designed to replicate the model upon which the elementary school was designed, in that the physical proximity to the existing general education campus allows for the inclusion of our students in as many activities as are appropriate with their typical peers. The curriculum is designed in such a way that the students will continue to progress in academic skills at their individual pace, as well as be provided with a strong vocational program.

The 2011-2012 school year saw yet another new program develop, the Bridge Program. Through the generosity Richard & Lois Nicotra, and collaboration with the staff of the Staten Island Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn, we have been able to develop a program which enables our students to transfer the skills they have learned in the classroom to the real world. The initial class was a group of 6 young men, who worked in various capacities appropriate for their abilities and interests, in the housekeeping and catering areas of both hotels, three days per week. The expectations were that they would fulfill the task requirements, with decreasing levels of direct supervision. The other two days of the week were reserved for reflection about their experiences, immersion into community activities and social skills training programs.

Our Special Athletics program continues to run on the weekends. Throughout the school year we sponsor sports programs designed with special needs students in mind. These activities include basketball, swimming and baseball. The children are taught the fundamentals of each sport. The program is designed to be instructional in nature, emphasizing the skills of teamwork and light competition. Fun is the primary ingredient and the overall philosophy is that everyone is a winner! While this program is staffed entirely with volunteers, it owes its success to the wonderful students from the St. Joseph Hill Academy who work one on one with our students as part of the program.

The Seton Foundation for Learning works cooperatively with the Departments of Education and Speech at St. John’s University and the St. Paul’s School of Nursing. We have become a fieldwork site for students enrolled in special education courses, speech therapy courses and nursing courses. This is a mutually beneficial program, as it provides a hands on learning laboratory for the college students, while providing the Seton Foundation for Learning with volunteer help within our programs. In addition, we share a positive working relationship with other community agencies such as the Committee on Special Education, Staten Island Mental Health Society, and the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR). It is through this inter-agency collaboration that we are able to enhance our services to our families.

The Seton Foundation for Learning is affiliated with the Department of Education of the Archdiocese of New York, from which is granted accreditation. This program is open to children of all faiths and religions.

The financial burden of providing such a high caliber educational program for children with special needs is quite extensive and yet the per capita expense for our program is one half that of a special education program in the public sector. As we plan for the future, our dreams are limited by our financial constraints. We have been successful in building our endowment fund to 2.1 million, which assures the solvency and longevity of the school. Each year our operating budget is our challenge. Although each family is expected to pay tuition, we are constantly striving to raise donations, sponsoring fund-raising events and seeking grants. The majority of the Seton Foundation for Learning elementary and high school programs are funded through grants from foundations and private individuals.