Based in Nutley, NJ The Phoenix Center is an accredited private special needs school serving the educational, behavioral and therapeutic needs of students ages 5-21 with autism, multiple disabilities, behavioral and intellectual disabilities. Our customized programs are built around the whole child and anchored by a hands-on, real-life, community-based instruction model.
Personalized Programs
Evidence-based programs personalized for each student.
Focusing on the Individual
We have a customized approach to curriculum development and instruction
Planning for the Future
We Prepare our students for life beyond the classroom.
Working Together
With parents, districts and professionals for better outcomes for our students.
A Message From the Executive Director
Welcome to The Phoenix Center. I invite you to explore our website to get an understanding of the scope of programs and services we provide to our students. Our Core Values and Mission illustrate our primary purpose – to serve our students and their families and to provide cutting-edge and highly customized educational, therapeutic, and transition services and supports. Our parents have entrusted me as the Executive Director to develop and oversee programs that will uncover their children’s full potential. It is my honor to continue to serve this educational community.
Unwrapping the many gifts and talents our students have is at the heart of what we do at The Phoenix Center. Together with our dedicated staff and our partnerships with our parents and school districts, we prepare our students for life beyond the classroom.
I invite you to browse our website and like us on social media. My door is always open, so feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Take care and be well.
With gratitude,
Julie Mower, M.A.Ed.
Executive Director
PS Please remember that you can support the initiatives and programming not covered by tuition dollars by donating through our DONATE page here.
Keeping Children With Special Needs Active During Cold Months
When the cold temperatures hit, it’s easy to take cover indoors and forget how important physical activity is for all of us, especially our children. Although it certainly can be more challenging to fit into busy schedules, exercise can make a big difference in your child’s ability to self-regulate. According to The National Center on […]
At The Phoenix Center, Giving Tuesday Directly Funds our One-of-a-Kind Programs
While the spirit of giving is old as time itself, Giving Tuesday is a relatively new concept. Celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, this global day of giving back started in 2012, which means this year marks its tenth anniversary. For many not-for-profits and altruistically minded organizations, Giving Tuesday plays a major role in their ability […]
Giving Students Interactive Experiences Far Beyond the Virtual Classroom
A Focus on Amy Bolliger, M.S. CCC-SLP, Unit Supervisor/Speech Therapist Autumn always has a refreshing energy to it: the summer heat fades, the leaves change, and the students return back to school. The Phoenix Center has set itself apart by wielding technology to give students interactive experiences by “visiting” far away places otherwise inaccessible due […]
Op-Ed: Five Reasons to Employ Students with Disabilities
Jim Russomano, owner/dealer principal at Nutley Auto Kia and board president at The Phoenix Center, shares his perspective as an employer of people with disabilities — in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Jim declares in his op-ed, “it’s a time to recognize the value of an inclusive workforce…in particular the benefits to both […]