NYSARC - STATEN ISLAND PREP SCHOOL

Families of children with autism (ages 3-12) whose IEP calls for a small, specialized, evidence-informed setting and who can manage a Staten Island commute or live locally.

• The STAR Autism Program is the school's signature offering, paired with NYSED Chapter 853 approval that signals a recognized specialized credential.
• Class structure is built around small groups and a high staff-to-student ratio, which is the central operational feature of the program.
• The Creative Curriculum in preschool and HealthSmart for older students show a deliberate whole-child framework beyond core academics.
• The school serves a narrow age band (preschool through 5th grade), so families will need to plan for a transition to a middle school setting eventually.

• This is a Chapter 853 placement school, so admission is typically driven by an IEP recommendation rather than a family choosing a private school in the usual sense.
• The $46,157 tuition figure is the private-pay rate; most families attend via district-funded placement, but it's worth confirming how your child's placement would be funded.
• The single parent review available, while glowing, doesn't give a broad picture of family experience — that's a thin evidence base.
• The far-south Staten Island location is a long commute for families coming from other boroughs; proximity matters here in a way it doesn't at many city private schools.
• The program tops out at fifth grade, so secondary planning needs to begin early.