Landmark School For Kids With Autism Opens In New Jersey's Largest District

NEWARK, NJ — The largest school district in New Jersey now has its first elementary school dedicated solely to serving students with autism.

The Newark Public School District welcomed local leaders, parents, and guardians to celebrate the milestone with a ceremony this week at Branch Brook School.

The school – located at 228 Ridge Street – serves students in pre-K to grade 3. It provides services such as on-site speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

As many as one in 20 Newark children have been diagnosed with autism, Rutgers University researchers found in 2020. Documented cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the New York-New Jersey metro region increased by as much as 500 percent between 2000 and 2016 – with the highest increase among children without intellectual disabilities.

Researchers attributed the spike largely to autism being under-detected in the past, adding that the data reflected a greater awareness of the condition.

The new school will help local families to access the services their children need without enrolling in a program outside of the city – which has been an issue in the past, according to a 2023 Chalkbeat Newark report.

“Our goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of their needs, have access to a high-quality education right here in Newark,” Superintendent Roger León said.

“This school is a shining example of what can happen when we invest in all of our children,” Board of Education President Hasani Council agreed.

Principal Cristina Pennetti – who has been leading the Branch Brook School since it began operating in September – said that the partnership between staff and families is “what makes our school so special.”

“We are building a space where students with autism can thrive academically, socially and emotionally,” said Pennetti, who previously served as a supervisor in the district’s Office of Special Education.

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