NYC: Staten Island opens 'first of its kind' school for autism and more

May 5, 2025, SI LIVE: NYC to open new ‘first of its kind’ special education school on Staten Island 

https://www.silive.com/education/2025/05/nyc-to-open-new-first-of-its-kind-special-education-school-on-staten-island.html?outputType=amp 

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A new special education public school will open on Staten Island for the 2025-2026 school year.

Staten Island Rise Academy, also known as PS 89, is a District 75 school and will open in two new school buildings in Travis.

District 75 provides highly specialized instructional support for students with significant challenges, such as autism, significant cognitive delays, emotional disabilities, sensory impairments, and multiple disabilities.

“As the mayor of the largest school district in the nation, I’m committed to ensuring every young person has the opportunity to reach their full potential, no matter where they live,” said Mayor Eric Adams. “This upcoming school year, we’re opening seven new schools — building on the 21 schools previously opened, and bringing the total number of seats added since the start of our administration to 13,732. These schools will expand access to specialized learning and career pathways, bringing high-quality options to families right in their own backyards.”

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos announced on Monday that the school is an “exciting new D75 program focused on individualized instruction.” It is one of seven new schools announced for the 2025-2026 school year.

“I couldn’t be prouder to bring these new schools into our New York City public schools offering and these are the school choices that our families deserve,” said Aviles-Ramos.

The District 75 school will serve special education students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It will be located in two buildings in Travis. Students will attend the school at PS 121, the new school opening at 4074 Victory Blvd., as well as PS 26, at 4108 Victory Blvd.

“The Staten Island Rise Academy, a first of its kind, located in District 75 program in the borough of Staten Island, finally bringing inclusive, high-quality special education closer to home for so many families,” said Dr. Shawn Rux, senior executive director of New School Development and Design at NYC. . . .

 “I’m thrilled that our new school leaders will be able to learn from each other and from other schools as they prepare for September,” said Aviles-Ramos.

PS 121 is a three-story elementary school building that will serve students in the Travis neighborhood and relieve overcrowding at nearby PS 26. The $80 million school will be a state-of-the-art facility with 547 seats for students in pre-K through fifth grade. It also includes 96 seats for District 75 special education students. . . .