About the Keswell School

Founded in 2002, the Keswell School challenges students to accomplish in aspects of school life, and prepares them for the fullest possible engagement in the world. The strong bond between our students and their teachers and therapists is rooted in the School's commitment to meeting students at their individual levels of development.

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Keswell School at a Glance

Educating students with autism aged 3 to 21

One-to-one student teacher ratio

Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan

Operates year round from 8:45a to 4:30p

Most students arrive to school by bus.

Near the A, C, E, N, Q, R, W, 1 and PATH trains.

Success Stories

Success Story Photo 1

A.J.

Keswell has been a huge blessing to our family. Before he attended Keswell, our son A.J. was struggling to communicate and did not know how to access the tools that he needed to learn. Not only did teachers and staff at Keswell give our child a voice, but also they created an environment customized to his needs. The people at Keswell are nothing short of amazing. The school really feels like family!

Parents of A.J.

 

Success Story Photo 2

Hayden

When our son Hayden was diagnosed at 18 months, we were told that he would never speak, be social, or have friends. He went on to get early intervention services at home, but made very little progress. Finally, when he was three years old, he started at the Keswell School. After just two years there, he was talking and had made such great progress that he was able to move on to another, less intensive school for students with learning differences.

At his new school, Hayden sings in the school performances, plays on the flag football team, and participates in various social activities with his friends.

Parents of Hayden
Student from ages 3 to 5

Success Story Photo 3

Luisa

When our daughter Luisa started at the Keswell School at the age of 3, she was non-verbal and isolated. It wasn’t easy, but the teachers and therapists gradually drew her out. By her second year, Luisa began to converse using an augmented communication device. Every day, her vocabulary grew and, as a result, she could engage more and more with others. Eventually, she began to be able to speak without the device.

As soon as it was appropriate, the school helped us plan Luisa’s next move. Now, she is in a special high school, where she has many friends and is passionate about theater. She wants to work on Broadway or to become an American Sign Language teacher. When we look back and remember how she was when she began that very first day at Keswell, we are amazed at how far she has come.

Parents of Luisa
Student from ages 3 to 6

Success Story Photo 4

Henry

Keswell helped our son Henry settle down and learn how to learn. He came to know that he was a beloved part of his school community and gained in confidence and skills every single day. We attribute what he can do today as an adult to the true gift of the careful, patient education that the teachers and therapists at Keswell gave him.

Now, Henry lives happily in a group home, where he is able to communicate his needs verbally and to show off his hard-won independent living skills in many ways. We are so proud of him, and so thankful for Keswell!

Parents of Henry, student from ages 5 to 20

Success Story Photo 5

Jay

When I started at the school, I had no spontaneous language and I wore orthotics. Thanks to Ivy and her wonderful, dedicated faculty, I am now getting ready to go off to a four-year mainstream college where I am considering playing college soccer or competing in track (both of which I do on my high school teams). The integrated therapy and teaching at Keswell gave me the building blocks to succeed, academically and in athletics. I owe so much of who I am today to the passionate and very skilled therapists/teachers at Keswell.

Jay
Student from ages 4 to 8

School Leadership

Photo of Ivy Feldman

Ivy Feldman, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Executive Director

Photo of Tara Broderick

Tara Broderick
Chief Operating Officer

Photo of Loretta Vosseler

Loretta Vosseler, M.B.A.
Chief Financial Officer

Photo of Jacquelin Hickey

Jacquelin Hickey, M.S. Ed., BCBA
Director Lower School

Photo of Tara Swietek

Tara Swietek, M.S. Ed.
Associate Director, Lower School

Photo of Nino Mitic

Nino Mitic, M.S. Ed.
Director, Upper School

Photo of Alex Pincay

Alex Pincay, M.S., OTR/L
Director, Occupational Therapy

Photo of Laura Prestia

Laura Prestia, M.S., CCC-SLP
Director of Speech and Language

Board of Trustees

  • Ivy Feldman, Executive Director
  • Susan E. Brune, Chair
  • Ankit Agarwal, Treasurer
  • Cheryl deKrei, Secretary
  • Dean Asofsky, Trustee
  • Al Williams, Trustee
  • Barbara Laidlaw, Trustee

Contact Us

The Keswell School
219 Stanton Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 229-1715

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Keswell’s mission is to ensure that children on the autism spectrum experience school as joyous and enriching. We respect our students for who they are and for who they will become.

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