Our Mission

The Queens OTC is a special education school which serves students between the ages of 13 and 21. All students (students with severe to profound cognitive disabilities, students with autism and students with multiple disabilities) require a high level of support. The school has a main site and 4 off sites, including a college program at Queens College. There is a significant representation of culturally diverse students as reflected in the 23 languages spoken by our ELL/ bilingual students. All students are included in school with instructional initiatives. School projects are collaborative, where the culminating event reflects input and student work in all disciplines. We are always upgrading the functional application and use of technology to support student independence. All students have a functionally based curriculum, with block programming in ELA/ Social Studies and Math / Science. We offer students learning opportunities in Life Science, Computer Science, Food Service, Coffee Break, Woodshop, Plastics Shop, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, Plant Ecology, Publications, Merchandising and Industrial Technologies (Indtech). Our programming provides a well rounded experience that is reflective of curriculum and standards that are found in the general education environment of their non-disabled peers.  Approximately 25% of the students population is involved in community based instruction/ work study opportunities outside of the building. Our work study program has been developed to allow students to move along a continuum beginning with the most basic prevocational skills and social behaviors as they enter the program with movement towards more complex vocational and social challenges. Our over-riding focus, whether it is with behavioral, social, functional academics or occupational training programs, is to create scaffolded opportunities for students to function independently both in the school and community. We provide a complete range of related and support services to enable the students to achieve their maximum potential. As with all high school programs, we seriously consider issues of social living, communication, independent travel, work opportunities and sexuality. A functionally appropriate, comprehensive health curriculum, which addresses food health practices, as well as mandated HIV/Aids instruction, is in place.
At P721Q "We Make A Difference!"
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