New School In West Islip Supports Neurodivergent Students

WEST ISLIP, NY — West Islip's newest school has officially opened its doors.

Masera Middle School—which supports middle school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental disabilities—celebrated its official grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 18.

West Islip Union Free School District district officials attended the ceremony to celebrate the school which is operated by Eastern Suffolk BOCES in the district's space to accommodate 123 students.

According to BOCES, the new school provides a "transdisciplinary program, reflecting the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, to address the needs of middle school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental disabilities."

In addition, the school focuses on individualized and small group goal driven instruction to foster the development of communication, social skills, academics, life skills and prevocational skills through a hierarchy of structured specialized learning opportunities.

Attendees toured the building and saw the updated classrooms and facilities.