Y.A.L.E. School NJ Cherry Hill Campus
Y.A.L.E. School’s Cherry Hill campus, located near Route 38 in Camden County serves students 5 to 21 years old with one or a combination of social and learning disabilities.
These include Autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disabilities, or emotional and/or social difficulties. Some students may have a clinical diagnosis of anxiety disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (A.D.H.D.), mood, personality, and/or obsessive-compulsive disorders.
The Cherry Hill campus has an elementary, middle, and high school program with well-equipped classrooms located in two adjoined buildings, providing secure transit to program resources. It is also home to the Standard 9: 21st Century Life and Career Skills transition concentration for students ages 17 to 21 whose IEPs require support and services in order to help prepare them for post-secondary education, work, and independent living.
The Cherry Hill campus offers:
- Low student-to-staff ratio
- Small classes limited to 12 students
- Highly qualified teachers
- Small group instruction
- ABA-based instruction
- Data-based instruction and intervention
- Curriculum stressing academics, independence, social & communication abilities, and school-to-work skills
- Specialized reading assessments and interventions
- State-of-the art technology, including individual computers, interactive white boards, and virtual reality learning system
- Numerous electives, such as industrial arts, visual arts, and video production
- Athletic teams in soccer, softball, and basketball
- Full-size gymnasium and fitness center
- School Store
- Frequent community-based instruction and activities for generalizing skills in natural settings
- Pre-driving instruction on state-of-the art driving simulator
- Frequent communication between school, home, and the student’s home district
- An extended school year program
- Employment orientation and work-based learning for vocational development
Vocational Preparation at Cherry Hill Campus
The Cherry Hill campus presents a variety of work-based learning options for students to help them develop soft skills for employment as well as hands-on skills for resume experience. Opportunities expand as students show readiness for the next level of challenge. Job mentoring and job coaching is provided based on the needs of the student and the job environment.
On Campus:
- YTV – in-house television studio for production, editing, and on-air experiences
- Visual Arts – Graphic arts, photography, printing
- Industrial Arts – Woodworking, design, assembly, carpentry
- Coding and Robotics– Introductory exposure to programming and competitive robotics team for high school students
- Internal paid jobs in a variety of departments
- Service learning opportunities for leadership development
- Weekly interest-based clubs for exploring and developing skills, strengths, and preferences
Off Campus:
- Practice interviews
- Career exploration
- Volunteer experiences
- Community internships through business partnerships
- Paid jobs with local employers
Field training:
- High school students participate in introductory experiences at the Y.A.L.E. Co-op, a thriving entrepreneurial operation.
- Older students in the Standard 9 program operate and manage student-run businesses, gaining hands-on entrepreneurial experience and high-tech skills using state-of the-art equipment such as a laser printer, professional direct-to-garment printing, and more.
Promoting a Future Mindset
YTV Studio
At the Cherry Hill campus, students have instruction in media arts during their middle school and high school years, helping to develop presentation skills as well as a working knowledge of today’s digital media used in today’s business and personal communication. Students also learn professional production skills in the school’s professionally equipped television studio. As students progress and refine interests, YTV serves as a work-based learning site for either an internship or internal paid job.
Coding / Robotics
The Cherry Hill Y.A.L.E. campus integrates coding instruction in all grades. It also offers a Robotics Team that competes in First Tech Challenge tournaments during the school year. The “YALiens” team learns programming, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering skills in an environment that fosters teamwork and creativity. Together, students create a robot and showcase their skills in various competitions throughout the season, practicing their craft at the Y.A.L.E. Vocational Annex. Y.A.L.E. students also host an invitational robotics tournament each spring attended by teams from throughout the state.
Y.A.L.E. School’s Cherry Hill campus is home base for several unique transition options. Learn more about our programs for students ages 18-21.
Y.A.L.E. School Cherry Hill Team Leaders:
Fred Gruber, M.Ed. – Assistant Director
Fred joined the Y.A.L.E. School family of programs in 1985 as a teacher assistant and has been with the school ever since. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and his master’s degree in special education from Antioch University. He served on the adjunct faculty at the College of New Jersey and served on the evaluation team for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. With more than three decades of experience working with students with disabilities in both self-contained and inclusive special education program, Fred is committed to data-driven instruction and intervention.
Karen Huber, M.S. – Admissions Director and Clinical Coordinator
Karen has been with Y.A.L.E. School since 2004. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and women’s studies from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree in marriage, family, and child counseling from San Francisco State. Karen is also certified as a New Jersey school social worker. In addition to her professional work, Karen is the parent of an adult son with ASD. Personally committed to the field, Karen works to advance the diversity and opportunities for students with autism and other social learning disabilities.
Stephanie Jefferys, M.A. – Principal and Supervisor
A dedicated and resourceful educator, Stephanie began her career at Y.A.L.E. School in 1997 as a teacher. Today, she supervises more than 40 staff, and oversees the campus’s school-wide system of positive behavioral supports. Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree from Cabrini University, and her master’s degree in educational leadership from Wilmington University. She holds New Jersey certification as a principal, supervisor, and K-12 teacher of the handicapped. She has specific expertise in program development, classroom management, project-based learning, differential lesson planning, curriculum development and implementation, and staff training and development.