Maplebrook School

Maplebrook School was founded in 1945 by three bold women empowered by a vision of an inclusive boarding school community dedicated to educating students not well-served by the mainstream educational system. Sunny Barlow, Serena Merck, and Marjorie Finger had a vision and for 75 years, Maplebrook has become one of the premier boarding schools for students who learn differently.

Maplebrook students have great potential who need a different approach to learning: one that recognizes their identities as individual learners, each with their unique strengths as well as teaching them how to overcome their learning challenges. Maplebrook as the school has developed from its beginnings on an old farm to what is today a fully accredited, New York State registered high school offering a comprehensive academic program and a unique postsecondary program.

Maplebrook School has remained true to the original vision of its three founders. Maplebrook School is not only a place to learn—it is a place where students and faculty can experience a home away from home, and each one of us is a welcome and valued member of the Maplebrook family. We recognize that without the solid foundation laid by Sunny Barlow, Serena Merck, and Marjorie Finger, and without the diligent work given by so many others to this community over the years, we would not be where we are today. Ours is a long legacy. We remember, and at the same time, we look ahead. And in the present, we carry on, continuing Maplebrook’s work of fostering excellence, independence, and friendship in diverse learners, knowing that for our students as well as the school, the present follows the past, and the future begins here.

We believe that every student at Maplebrook School has the ability to learn and grow academically, emotionally, and socially. Our faculty take pride in providing a nurturing environment where each student can feel comfortable to succeed each day with positive supports and an exciting, challenging curriculum. This allows for a successful learning environment and helps our students try to overcome their learning differences. We do not have lower expectations for our students. Rather, we understand that they may have to take some different paths to achieve the goals of other typically learning students. Maplebrook's philosophy for special needs students as being one of understanding and going the extra mile.

There is no such thing as a one-size fits all education. Using multi-sensory, individualized approaches to learning for each student, Maplebrook provides an academic setting that is both supportive and adequately challenging. We believe in our students’ abilities, and strive to enable them to rise to higher levels of academic achievement than they’ve previously attained. Maplebrook School adheres to the New York State Learning Standards in structuring its curriculum and graduation requirements.