The Kessler Center

The Kessler Center is a special place helping children and youth reach their potential.

ééThe Kessler Center, in Rochester, New York, offers both residential and day placements for students with developmental disabilities. It serves as an option for school districts seeking an out-of-district placement. The Center is open to students throughout New York State who are in need of a highly individualized special education program.

As an approved private special education school it has broad expertise working with students across the entire range of developmental disabilities. In addition, The Kessler Center has advanced expertise in Autism Spectrum Disorders and working with children with developmental disabilities who struggle with behavioral challenges. The program stresses experiential learning, community integration, functional academics, daily life skills and personal independence.

The Kessler Center provides students with the same opportunities as any other child, only modified to support their success and growth. It has hosted school dances, family fun days, assemblies, sports events, costume parties and more to provide positive childhood experiences to the students.

The Kessler Center classrooms accommodate six students and there are a teacher and three teacher’s assistants in each classroom. Additionally, The Kessler Center provides all related services and has a large clinical and behavioral support staff. The program stresses experiential learning, community integration, functional academics, daily life skills, and personal independence. The program utilizes a strengths-based, person centered approach that is “hands-off.”

In addition to academic and life-skills work in the classroom, each school day is filled with numerous field trips, projects, special classes (PE, music, art, technology, vocational programs, and electives), and fun experiences.

For questions and more information please contact: Renée Schumacher, Kessler Center Director, RSchumacher@eastersealsny.org