Accredited Private Special Needs School in Northern NJ for Students Ages 5-21

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.

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 community, which has provided 32 years of educational excellence.

At TPC, we embrace the FISH Philosophy, which centers on being kind to one another. As educators, we specialize in extending kindness to our students, their families, and each other, every single day. This collective effort contributes to our ultimate goal of making a lifelong positive impact.

Unwrapping the many gifts and talents our students have is at the heart of what we do at TPC. 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.

The Phoenix Center’s annual Turkey Trot—an event that brings together students with autism and other intellectual disabilities for a day of fun, fitness, and community—has captured the attention of media outlets across the country, including a feature in USA Today! This year’s Turkey Trot, held on November 27, 2024, was our 8th annual celebration and […]

The Phoenix Center’s Turkey Trot Receives National Coverage

The Phoenix Center is proud to see innovative tools like Virtual Reality (VR) receiving the attention they deserve for their transformative impact on autism therapy. Our Executive Director, Julie Mower, contributed to an insightful feature in Autism Parenting Magazine, exploring how VR enhances social, emotional, and life skills for neurodiverse individuals in a safe, immersive […]

TPC_Autism Parenting Magazine Feature_VR

The Phoenix Center continues to make headlines for its dedication to preparing students with autism and other disabilities for meaningful futures. Recently featured on the front cover of the Nutley Journal (November 2024 issue), the article highlights how TPC’s vocational programs equip students with essential job skills and independence through real-world experiences. From navigating public […]

TPC_Nutley Journal Feature

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