INTERDISCIPLINARY CNTR - NORTHSIDE

Families of young children with disabilities or developmental delays who want a small, therapy-rich, strengths-based early childhood setting in eastern Queens — especially those eligible for publicly-funded preschool special education.

• A 3.8:1 student-teacher ratio is far below what you'd find at almost any other elementary program, allowing for genuinely individualized support.
• Related services — speech, occupational therapy, and physical therapy — are built into the school day rather than tacked on as outside appointments.
• It's an NYSED-approved preschool special education program, which means eligible families can access seats at no cost through the public system.
• With just 80 students total, families and staff know each other — this feels closer to a small clinic or co-op than a school.
• Strengths-based philosophy focuses on what each child can do, framing growth around capability rather than deficit.

• The tuition range is enormous ($5,126 to $50,900) because it spans publicly-funded preschool special education seats and private-pay rates — clarify which applies to your situation before reading the high end as sticker shock.
• This is not a general elementary school; children typically need an IEP or a developmental need that qualifies for early intervention services.
• Parent reviews are mixed — one strong positive, one significant concern about communication and culture at a sibling location — so it's worth asking current families specific questions during the intake process.
• No subway within walking distance means reliable car transportation or a long bus ride is a daily requirement.
• The very small size means fewer peers and a narrower social pool than a larger elementary program offers.