About Community School

There are many different pathways to knowledge and the Community Schools were created almost a half-century ago to help children find their own path to success.

What We Do

The Community (Lower) School and Community High School in Teaneck, New Jersey provide structured, small-group/one-to-one, multisensory, individually-tailored education to bright children with learning differences and attention deficits. Through small group instruction and innovative teaching, the schools expose students to a wide range of information and activities available in the educational mainstream and ensure that all students excel and reach their individual potential.

A running track
Established in 1968

The Community (Lower) School and Community High School in Teaneck, New Jersey have been providing a structured, individually-tailored education to bright children with learning differences and attention deficits since beginning in a single room in 1968.

Serving special children

Founded by Dr. Beatrice Lieben, Ph.D., The Community School has served children with learning and attentional disabilities for over 45 years. We strive to combine a quality education with a nurturing social experience to prepare our students for higher education and success in life.

And Helping Them Succeed

More than 90% of our graduates attend colleges and universities. We are proud that the school’s primary goal continues to focus on allowing students to achieve the highest level of performance in the classroom commensurate with their individual abilities and talents.

Student Bowling
Student at Blackboard

How we help kids learn

Many of the techniques now used widely to help young people achieve the level of accomplishment fully commensurate with their ability, intellect and talents were pioneered at the Community School.

  • In small classroom settings our highly trained teachers provide students in K-12 with remedial help and a challenging curriculum designed to meet each student’s needs and learning style while providing a complete academic experience and building self-confidence.
  • By the time our students graduate they have learned how they learn, the absolutely essential skill that will enable them to succeed.
  • As we proudly celebrate over five decades of providing a quality educational experience for young people with learning differences, we remain committed to assisting our students in becoming contributing members of their communities.

New Jersey and New York State Department of Education Approved

The Community School and Community High School are New Jersey State Department of Education approved. Both Schools are also approved, out of state special education programs for The New York State Department of Education. Please see the below websites for our state approvals.

Our Academic Philosophy

Please see Community High School and Community Lower School for more information.

Reading and Writing

Community School students receive daily instruction in literature/reading and written expression. Reading courses offer instruction and remediation in word identification, vocabulary development and comprehension. Literature courses expose students to a variety of novels, plays, short stories, informational text and poetry. English courses focus on writing and composition skills, including paragraph development, essay writing, editing and research skills, grammar, spelling and language usage. High School English courses also include resume writing and college preparedness.

Two boys being taught math
Mathematics

Community School students receive daily instruction in mathematics.

Mathematics courses offer instruction and remediation in computational, conceptual, calculator, note-taking and test-taking skills.

Speech and Language

Community students (when necessary) participate in speech and language therapy sessions. These sessions focus on the development of expressive and receptive language skills, auditory skills, syntactical skills, pragmatic and retrieval skills.

Transition

Graduating students have many post-secondary options. The Guidance Department assists each student in making these important decisions. Post secondary options include: summer pre-college programs, community college, four year colleges, technical schools, certificate programs and employment.

Please see Community High School Guidance for more information on post-secondary options and opportunities.

Studies On Special Education And Students With ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, And Other Issues

Essays prepared by our founders, members of our Professional Advisory Board and Trustees, continue to inspire our academic philosophy in the areas of learning disabilities, ADHD, ADD, students with an IEP and their accommodations. These discussions are still relevant, and we encourage you to explore these valuable resources.