Educating children through holistic and individualized support.
Our Educational Programs meet children with developmental disabilities where they are, building unique instruction and therapy plans to help each student find success.
Heartshare offers educational solutions for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to academic instruction, we offer counseling, speech, occupational, and physical therapy. Our schools combine evidence-based techniques such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with creative therapies like music and canine-assisted interventions to enhance engagement and learning.
Heartshare believes that family collaboration is vital; constant communication ensures consistency and success. By integrating structured routines, sensory experiences, and family involvement, we can build a supportive, enriching, and positive environment for each student who comes through our doors.
Through our five schools — located in Brooklyn and Queens — we can support children between the ages of 3 and 21 who have been diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our K-12 school is mainly made up of children with autism, but we are able to support a wide range of conditions.
We believe that every child deserves to reach their full potential.
School is a crucial and transformative time, especially for children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Early intervention and structured learning environments can empower students to better navigate social situations, increasing their independence and long-term success. Our tailored instruction and therapies are targeted to every single student's unique learning needs, ensuring they develop the essential life skills, communication abilities, and self-confidence required to thrive in adulthood.
Heartshare operates four preschools in Brooklyn and Queens and one K-12 school in Brooklyn. Each location takes on its personality and energy (thanks to both students and staff), but they are all places of collaboration, learning, and love.
Heartshare continues to look forward — improving programming and offering proven solutions and interventions — so that each child and family finds the educational support they need.
Relevant Programs
Heartshare Education is just one type of program we offer to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Have Questions?
A few frequently asked questions are listed below. If you have a different question isn't answered, scroll down a little further, and send us a message. Someone from our schools will respond within 1 business day.
To enroll your child in a 4410 preschool, the first step is to have your child evaluated by the district to determine if they qualify for special education services. You can request an evaluation through your local school district, and they will guide you through the process. If your child is eligible for special education preschool, the district will work with you to find a suitable placement, such as our 4410 preschool programs. Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that outlines the services and support your child will need. If a special education preschool is recommended, the district will refer you to us, and we’ll reach out to schedule a “meet and greet” at one of our locations.
Yes, your child can bussed to and from school. During the enrollment process, we will review all transportation options with you.
Heartshare provides services on a 12-month, school calendar, including a 6-week summer program, for those students that are mandated an extended school year. Our daily program runs from 8:10 am - 2:30 pm.
Every classroom at Heartshare follows a daily schedule. Your child will participate in daily circle time activities, small and large group instruction, and time to learn through play. Your child will also attend special activities, such as music therapy, canine therapy and outdoor playground time as well as his/her mandated related service sessions that are also embedded in his/her schedule.
All our related service providers (speech, occupational and physical therapy) keep a weekly schedule to serve our students. Your child will be taken from class by the related service providers and services will be provided in their offices or in our sensory gym. Related service providers may also “push in” services — meaning that services will be provided to your child in the classroom setting.
Yes, our school has a contract with Healthy Hearts. Your child will be provided with breakfast and lunch at no charge to you.
We offer two official parent/teacher conferences per year. Daily, your child will have a virtual communication notebook via Microsoft Teams where you and the teaching staff can check-in and communicate. You can also reach our teaching staff and related service providers after the school day is over at 2:45 pm. It is best to preschedule a time to speak with staff. We also provide Parent Trainings on scheduled days.
Once we have accepted your child into a classroom, you will have fill out and submit the required paperwork. Following that, we can apply for bussing services. Transportation through the bus company can take a few weeks to begin, so if you have other accommodations to get your child to school during that time, they can start sooner.