Bronx School and Preschool
3200 Jerome Avenue
Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 7-AUTISM x2500
About Our School
The QSAC School for Students with Autism in the Bronx provides educational services for students ages 3 to 21 on the autism spectrum. The school has classes with 6:1:3, 8:1:2, and 10:1:2 student-to-staff ratios. Our preschool program has 6:1:2 and 8:1:2 student-to-staff ratios. Students are assigned to a classroom based on age and academic skill level.
Upon a student’s enrollment at the school, the classroom teacher and speech therapist administer a number of assessments to further determine the student’s skill level. Following the completion of these assessments, an individualized curriculum is developed by this team in accordance with the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and through consultation with the family, the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), Committee on Special Education (CSE), and the school’s clinical team.
Once the IEP and annual goals are completed, a curriculum is designed to address individualized goals. All goals are implemented throughout the day by the classroom staff in accordance with the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA).
Based on assessed need, the assigned speech therapist provides individualized speech therapy sessions. Both classroom and speech curricula are implemented in a natural environment to capitalize on naturalistic learning opportunities and to promote generalization. Occupational therapy services are delivered in a similar fashion. Students participate in an Adaptive Physical Education (APE) program with a certified physical education teacher. As with all other instruction and curricula utilized within the school, goals are developed to meet specific motor and physical development goals.
Once a student has been accepted to the program, transportation to and from the school is arranged and provided by the NYC Department of Education (DOE) and the Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT). Students have the opportunity, when appropriate, to assist in their own lunch preparation. The site is at 3200 Jerome Avenue in a residential area close to Lehman College, public transportation, stores, and eateries.
QSAC’s Preschool and School in the Bronx is funded by the New York State Education Department and New York City Department of Education or Nassau County School Districts.
Meet Our Building Leaders
Cynthia Martinez, M.S.Ed., M.S., BCBA, LBA, SBL
Cynthia Martinez serves as the Senior Director of Education and oversees the school programs. Cynthia started as a service coordinator with QSAC in 2006. She joined the team at the Whitestone Day School as a Special Education teacher, was subsequently promoted to ABA Coordinator, and later was promoted to Director of the Whitestone Day School. Cynthia has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hunter College, City University of New York, a Master’s degree in Special Education from City College, City University of New York, a Master’s degree in School Building Leadership from Touro College, and a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from St. Joseph’s College. She holds professional certifications as a New York State Special Education Teacher and School Administrator. Cynthia is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and is a licensed behavior analyst in New York State (LBA).
Lesley Perlman, M.S.Ed, SAS
Lesley joined QSAC in October of 2019 to serve as the Curriculum Coordinator at the Bronx Day School. She earned a B.A. in psychology from The Ohio State University, an M.S. in Special Education from Wagner College, an SAS Administration degree from Hunter College, and a Graduate Behavior Analyst Certificate from Pennsylvania State University. She holds permanent certifications as a New York State Special Education Teacher and School Administrator and Supervisor. She is currently working on obtaining a BCBA certification and an Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) certification.
Jessica Rodriguez, M.A.,M.S.Ed.,BCBA,LBA
Jessica joined QSAC in August of 2015 as a staff trainer and shortly after became the curriculum coordinator at the QSAC Preschool in Douglaston. She transferred to the QSAC Bronx School in 2022. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Skidmore College, a M.A. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Queens College, and a M.S.Ed., in General and Special Education (Birth-2 grade). She holds professional certification as a New York State Special Education Teacher as well as national BCBA certification and Licensure as a Behavior Analyst (LBA) in New York State.