YALE School Ellisburg Campus

Campus Description

Y.A.L.E. School’s Ellisburg campus, located at Connecticut Avenue and NJ Route 70 in the Ellisburg section of Cherry Hill, serves students 5 to 21 years of age with emotional and behavioral difficulties and specific learning and/or multiple disabilities. Some students may have a clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (A.D.H.D.), mood, personality, obsessive-compulsive, or oppositional-defiant disorders, and/or specific learning disability. Most struggle with effective relationships with peers and adults.

Classrooms are equipped with state-of-the art educational technology, including computers and software for each student. The school has a well-equipped science classroom, a visual arts and graphic design lab, a large indoor multipurpose room with fitness area for physical education, an auditorium, kitchen, nurse’s office, and more.

Students 14 years of age and older receive individualized transition services to prepare them for life after graduation. The program’s intensive school-to-work curriculum includes vocational planning and support, job skills training and mentoring, and practical on-the-job experience in the community.

Y.A.L.E. School Ellisburg Team Leaders:

Kathy Hogan, M.S., BCBA – Director of Y.A.L.E. School’s Ellisburg Campus.

Kathy is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with over 20 years of experience working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. She earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Chestnut Hill College before completing the BCBA course sequence through Florida Institute of Technology.

Kathy has presented several research projects at various conferences, including ABAI.  She has worked as a behavior therapist for children and adolescents with a diagnosis of autism and/or emotional behavior disorder in home and school settings.  Kathy has experience in designing behavior programs designed to reduce maladaptive behavior, academic programs and communication protocols for various learners. She has been with the Y.A.L.E. School since 2014.

Currently, Kathy works with school administration, BCBAs and school staff in developing, training and implementing the School Wide Positive Behavior Support programs specifically designed for the Y.A.L.E. School.

Chris Vonderschmidt, M.A., BCBA – Assistant Director of Y.A.L.E. School’s Ellisburg Campus.

Chris is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with 5 years of experience working at Y.A.L.E. School. Chris earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University before receiving his Master of Arts Degree in Applied Psychology from Rider University. Additionally, Chris is a member of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Chris is committed to creating a safe, positive environment for students at Y.A.L.E. and exhibits his passion for education on a daily basis.

Mary Franklin, M.Ed. – Principal of Y.A.L.E.’s Ellisburg Campus

Mary joined the Y.A.L.E team in 2017. She comes to Y.A.L.E. with more than two decades of experience teaching children with disabilities. Mary earned a master’s degree in special education from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Monmouth University. As an adjunct professor at Monmouth University, Mary instructed pre-service teachers in understanding the importance of special education law and the importance of building partnerships with the families of students.

Mary holds New Jersey certification as an administrator, principal, supervisor, K-12 teacher of the handicapped as well as highly qualified status in middle school mathematics.

Mary was a recipient of the Governor’s Teacher Recognition program in 2008 for ensuring “an environment that improves students’ academic opportunities, workforce preparedness and overall quality of life.” Mary’s expertise in utilizing data-driven instruction to ensure optimum outcomes for students is vital to her work here at Y.A.L.E. She is deeply committed to evidence-based education and works to ensure that students are provided the latest in research-based instruction to optimize their success.

Carla L. Butts, MSW – Admissions Coordinator of Y.A.L.E.’s Ellisburg Campus

Carla began working at Y.A.L.E. in 2018. With nearly 30 years of experience in the field of social work and education, Carla is a certified school social worker, licensed social worker, and licensed therapist. Carla earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh before obtaining her master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University. Her passion for helping at-risk and vulnerable children has led her to become a strong asset to the Y.A.L.E. Ellisburg team. Carla strives to ensure students’ safety and comfort during their time on campus, proving her presence to be essential at Y.A.L.E.’s Ellisburg campus.

The Ellisburg campus offers:

• Low student-to-staff ratio
• Highly-qualified teachers
• Small group instruction
• ABA-based instruction
• Counseling services for students and families
• A strong therapeutic focus
• Data-based instruction and intervention
• School to work opportunities
• Social skills instruction
• Ongoing program review
• Curriculum that stresses academics, independence, social and communication skills
• Trips and activities in the community
• Extensive parent training and support
• Opportunities to participate on athletic teams
• Individualized transition planning and post-graduation placement
• Frequent communication between school, home, and the referring district
• An extended school year program