.
.
Welcome to The Center for Special Services’ Saint Matthew’s School! Our mission is to support students, families, and component districts by empowering every student to transition successfully into adulthood. We prioritize the development of essential life and vocational skills, preparing students to become confident, capable, and contributing members of their communities. At St. Matt’s, we are committed to creating a learning environment filled with growth, discovery, and meaningful opportunities for every student.
Our programs reflect our dedication to serving students with diverse learning profiles and providing pathways that prepare them for life beyond the classroom. The location of Saint Matt’s offers unique access to the surrounding community, creating valuable opportunities for exposure and engagement. These experiences, combined with school-based and community-based vocational programming, allow students to practice essential skills in real-world environments, fostering independence, self-confidence, and workplace readiness.
Guided by ongoing assessment and data-driven practices, we emphasize targeted academic instruction and functional skill development that meet students where they are and support measurable progress. Equally important is our focus on restorative practices and social-emotional learning, which are embedded into recreational and leisure activities to build community, self-awareness, and confidence.
We also believe that families are our most important partners. Through workshops, events, and collaborative planning opportunities, we strive to keep families connected, informed, and engaged as part of each student’s journey.
At Saint Matt’s, we are guided by a student-centered vision for the future—one where every learner is equipped with the academic, functional, social-emotional, and vocational skills they need to lead fulfilling, independent lives. We are honored to work alongside such a caring and dedicated community in support of our students’ success.
We at St. Matthews believe our responsibility is to guide students to develop trust, respect, responsibility, and collaboration with peers and their community.
Students explore both the school and community to develop abilities to engage in meaningful academic and vocational skills, character education, positive social interactions, and leisure/recreational skills.
We strive to increase the independence of every student so that when they enter the world beyond these walls, they continue to blossom and lead productive lives that are full of worth and meaning.
At St. Matt’s we honor the abilities and individuality of every learner, and believe that all of our students can reach their full potential.
At St. Matt’s, magical things happen.
This program provides a highly structured site-based classroom environment designed primarily for students with autism spectrum disorders at the middle and high school levels for New York State Alternately Assessed students. Instructional methodology includes the applications of structured teaching and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) that have demonstrated effective outcomes in the school environment. Specialized clinical consultation is provided for both structured teaching and ABA classes. In addition to academic outcomes, the development of appropriate communication, social and behavioral skills are stressed.
We currently offer alternately assessed AIIM classes at St. Matt's at the middle and high school level.
CoSer 203.100
Student Teacher Ratio 8:1:2
Included Related Services:
*Speech/Language Services Group (middle school only) 1x30 per week
*Counseling services for Group & Transitional Services
*Consultant Occupational Therapy
*Consultant Speech and Language Services
*Consultant Psychiatric Services
*Parent Training
Direct OT, PT, nursing, speech, counseling (additional) or other related services as per student IEP are billed to districts in addition to tuition costs.
Career Training:
Where appropriate, high school students who are alternately assessed (NYSAA) may attend half day career preparation programs, to meet the requirements for attaining the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (SKILLS).This program is offered through the Center for Career Services, at no additional charge to the district
Districts are responsible for providing transportation services for students to be able to attend programs located at the Career Services Center in Valhalla. Southern Westchester BOCES can provide transportation services for a fee that would be billed separately to participating districts.
This program is designed to meet the needs of students who are determined by their CSE to be alternately assessed (NYSAA). The TSP/DD Program facilitates social/emotional/behavioral skills necessary for students with developmental disabilities and behavioral challenges to function successfully in home, school and community environments. Functional academics and specialized instruction in academics are emphasized. At the secondary level, the program provides students with transition supports, career awareness and services and vocational experiences and skills necessary for students to attain the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (SACC).
We currently offer TSP-DD classes at St. Matt's at the high school level.
CoSer 231.100
Student Teacher Ratio 8:1:1
Included Related Services
* Psychiatric Consultant Services
* Counseling Services 1x30 group per week
* Consultant Occupational Therapy
* Consultant Speech and Language Services
* Consultant Guidance Counselor
Direct OT, PT, nursing, speech, counseling (additional) or other related services as per student IEP are billed to districts in addition to tuition costs.
Career Training
Where appropriate, high school students who are alternately assessed (NYSAA) may attend half day career preparation programs. This program is offered through the Center for Career Services, at no additional charge to the district
Districts are responsible for providing transportation services for students to be able to attend programs located at the Career Services Center in Valhalla. Southern Westchester BOCES can provide transportation services for a fee that would be billed separately to participating districts.
This program is offered to students who require small group instruction in a therapeutic setting. Students in this program primarily present with mental health challenges that significantly interfere with the students' ability to be educated and supported within a typical general education classroom environment. Students' needs are met through highly structured classroom settings with counseling and instructional supports. At the secondary level, the program provides students with transition services and supports.
CAD Grades 6-12 CoSer 230.100
Student Teacher Ratio 12:1:1
School Closed Holiday
.
📣 Parent-Teacher Conferences – October 20, 2025
We invite all families to join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, October 20th, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
Please look out for notices being sent home with your child, which will include scheduled conference times arranged by teachers.
We look forward to seeing you and sharing updates on your child’s progress, achievements, and goals for the school year!
✨ Mission Accomplished! On September 30th, we hosted our Parent Open House, with about 50% of families joining us. Teachers shared highlights of our instructional program, community integration, work-based opportunities, and the many wonderful things happening in our school building. Principal Diana Dinzey also spoke about how SWBOCES supports families through SEPTA, helps facilitate communication and access to student data through eSchools, and offers ways for parents to stay involved in our school community.
🐾 The very next day, excitement filled the halls as we welcomed Wordly, the Blue Path Therapy Dog! Students loved spending time with Wordly; walking, petting, and soaking up lots of puppy love. It was a joyful day that reminded us of the many ways learning and connection happen at Saint Matt’s.
🌟 And out in the community, one of our new students was hard at work!
This is what life is like at Saint Matt’s—endless opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive, both inside our building and beyond.
Saint Matthew’s students launched the 2025–26 Work-Based Learning Program with a kick-off that was especially exciting because it included students who are new to Saint Matt’s. They are already acclimating well and embracing the community integration aspect of the program. From supporting our building with daily tasks to working in downtown White Plains, our students are off to an amazing start.
A huge shoutout goes to both our school based and district based teams for ensuring students had the transportation needed to reach community job sites like the White Plains Library and DSW. Their support opened the door to these valuable opportunities. Even walking to nearby job sites provides meaningful learning—students practice navigating the community safely, building independence, and making their school day unique and purposeful.
Inside the building, students tackled jobs such as washing windows, vacuuming, bus duty, shredding, and delivering meals. Out in the community, they are thriving at Raymond Opticians, Big Apple Smoothie, Cantina Restaurant, Mamaroneck Avenue Food Market, White Plains Bakery, White Plains Laundry, Fair Deal Deli, and the Apple Movie Theatre. Teachers are also weaving these experiences into their lessons, teaching the skills students need out in the community and tailoring instruction to support their growth. We are so proud of all that our students are learning and accomplishing!
Big day at Saint Matt’s! On Tuesday, September 16th, our students launched the 2025–2026 Work-Based Learning Program. This year’s big kick-off was especially exciting because it included students who are new to Saint Matt’s. They are already acclimating well and embracing the community integration aspect of the program. From supporting our building with daily tasks to working in downtown White Plains, our students are off to an amazing start.
A huge shoutout goes to both our school based and district based teams for ensuring students had the transportation needed to reach community job sites like the White Plains Library and DSW. Their support opened the door to these valuable opportunities. Even walking to nearby job sites provides meaningful learning—students practice navigating the community safely, building independence, and making their school day unique and purposeful.
Inside the building, students tackled jobs such as washing windows, vacuuming, bus duty, shredding, and delivering meals. Out in the community, they are thriving at Raymond Opticians, Big Apple Smoothie, Cantina Restaurant, Mamaroneck Avenue Food Market, White Plains Bakery, White Plains Laundry, Fair Deal Deli, and the Apple Movie Theatre. Teachers are also weaving these experiences into their lessons, teaching the skills students need out in the community and tailoring instruction to support their growth. We are so proud of all that our students are learning and accomplishing!
Southern Westchester BOCES
Center for Special Services
St. Matthew's School
3 Carhart Ave., White Plains, NY 10605
ph. 914-761-7524
fax 914-761-8806