Pottsville, PA: Plans for special needs academy proposed
- The end of childhood
- Dec 11
- 1 min read
Dec 9, 2025 Republican Herald: Former St. Joseph Center to become school for special needs children
POTTSVILLE — A Carbon County nonprofit is seeking approval to establish a school in the former St. Joseph Center for Special Learning.
Behavioral Health Associates of Lehighton has applied for a variance to operate an elementary school for students with special needs at 2075 W. Norwegian Street, according to a legal advertisement in the Republican Herald.
The city zoning hearing board will hold a public hearing on the request at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in City Hall.
The Allentown Catholic Diocese, its owner, acknowledged discussions are under way for the sale of the property.
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Joseph Ferko, director of program administration, said Behavioral Health Associates plans a K-8 grade school in the former St. Joseph Center. . . .
Its 2025 assessment is $210,810, which increases to $1.125 million in 2026.
Formed as Clinical Innovations Inc. at Lehighton in 1998, Behavioral Health Associates operates nine academies in Carbon, Monroe and Northumberland counties. Its schools, called academies, serve students from about 40 school districts across a portion of northeast Pennsylvania.
The academies include eBridge, Willow, Packer Ridge, Ashfield and Mahoning Valley, all in Lehighton. Others include River Academy in Weissport, Shamokin Academy and Polk Academy in Kresgeville, Monroe County.
“Since our creation,” Ferks said, “we have been working to provide comprehensive educational and mental health resources to all students, regardless of their circumstances.”
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