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The Victory School

18900 Northeast 25 Avenue
305-466-1142


Victory School Mission Statement:

The mission of the Victory School, Inc. (the "Victory School"), a Florida non-sectarian, Not-for-profit Corporation, is to provide children with autism and similar disorders comprehensive individualized and science-based treatment that is not otherwise available in southeast Florida. The Victory School was formed by a group of parents of children with autism who were inspired by other successful public and private schools for autistic children. The Victory School will provide autistic children with intensive therapy based upon the principles of Applied Behavior Analyses, in particular those associated with B.F. Skinner's (1957) analyses of verbal behavior. This form of therapy is typically provided to children with autism in home-based programs. The Victory School will provide this therapy, with a one-to-one student/teacher ratio, in a classroom setting, thereby combining this highly effective intensive training with frequent opportunities for facilitated social interactions. Progress will be measured at regular intervals through the collection and interpretation of data.

The Victory School is located on the grounds of the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center, Ziff Campus ("MARJCC") in North Miami Beach, Florida. The MARJCC also has classes for typical preschoolers and regular opportunities will be provided for the children of each school to play and learn together, thereby encouraging the development of social skills, which are often lacking in children with autism. The unique combination of individual and group instruction and assisted playtime will also maximize the opportunities for the children to use the words or skills acquired through therapy in realistic settings. The school will maintain a one-to-one student:teacher ratio. In addition, the Classroom Director will be present, on-site, every day to supervise the therapies and structure the group interaction. The Educational Consultant, Dr. Patrick McGreevy, will evaluate each student of the Victory School, design their individual programs and monitor progress.

A group of South Florida business and community leaders and parents of children with autism founded the Victory School in December of 1999. The Victory School opened its classrooms on June 5, 2000. Interest in the Victory School has been great in the autism community, which recognizes the need for such a program, and enrollment has increased quickly. Three classrooms have been completely renovated and will provide a variety of learning environments, from small workstations for intensive therapy, to activity centers for imaginative and structured play. Observation by the Classroom Director will be continuously provided through one-way windows installed in the office as well as a closed circuit audiovisual system. An observation room is available to allow parents, professionals and visitors the chance to see and hear the children learning and playing without disturbing them.