School for Autistic Children Proposes Expansion in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- CARD Academy, a center for autism and related disorders in Alexandria, is proposing to expand the number of students who may attend the school, according to documents filed with the City's Planning Commission.

Located at 4875 Eisenhower Ave., Suite 210 (see map below), according to its application, the private school currently has room for 20 students and is looking to expand to 30 students, so they can add students who are currently on a waitlist, according to the school's proposal.

The school, which employs 25-30, helps students between the ages of 3 and 22, according to the application. Class sizes are limited to three to seven students. Hours at the school are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The CARD Academy was founded by the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) which opened its first office in California in 1990 and has since treated thousands of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to the school's Web site. CARD therapists benefit from CARD researchers who are the preeminent researchers in their field, having authored numerous studies on the assessment and treatment of autism.

Modeled after CARD's successful home-based therapy programs for children with ASD, CARD Academy is an institution rooted in success, according to the description of the school on the Web site. Licensed as a Private Special Education Day School by the Virginia Department of Education, the CARD Academy is committed to providing children with "top-tier instruction, led by the most experienced and qualified teachers in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment."

Annual tuition at the school is $68,000. See information here about the curriculum.

The school's proposal goes before the Planning Commission on Sept. 8.

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