Academics West

Academics West is a special education school in New York, NY, located at 37 W 65th St. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Jeffrey Kassinove and Dr. Evan Flamenbaum, the school serves K-12 students with emotional and learning differences. It operates as an independent, high-support college preparatory institution, aiming to help students become productive, self-valuing leaders. The school utilizes a proprietary model called Clinically Informed Academics, which views learning differences as areas to be strengthened through evidence-based intervention and metacognitive strategies. This approach helps students understand their unique strengths and evolve into strategic learners. Academics West holds Cognia Accreditation with Distinction, the highest level of recognition from the accrediting body. The school provides a therapeutic milieu where support occurs through organic interactions between staff and students. Licensed mental health counselors primarily utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is considered the most evidence-based treatment for young people with emotional struggles. All students attend individual and group counseling sessions, with frequency and format defined by the Clinical Director. Additional support services include executive functioning coaching, art therapy, mindfulness, canine therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, social skills training, and personal training. Staff members undergo weekly training delivered by outside specialists to ensure they use up-to-date treatment modalities. All student-facing staff are trained by the Crisis Prevention Institute. The school’s faculty includes co-founders, administrators, teaching staff for lower, middle, and upper schools, and counseling staff, including a Clinical Coordinator and Lead Clinician.

The school is situated on West 65th Street, about a tenth of a mile from West 66th Street. Nearby landmarks include the Young People's Chorus of New York City, Ethical Culture School, West Side YMCA, and the American Folk Art Museum, all within a tenth of a mile of the school.

Academics West combines academic preparation with clinical support to serve students with emotional and learning differences in New York.