Brooklyn · Torah-centered · Individualized

Every child
has a place
to grow.

A close-knit Jewish special education community where boys are seen for their strengths, supported at their pace, and welcomed into the life of a yeshiva.

Explore admissions Discover our story

More than two decades
of warmth, learning, and belonging.

The Torah Vodaath shared campus at 425 East 9th Street in Brooklyn — Our Brooklyn home425 East 9th Street

An open Torah scroll prepared for reading — Learning rooted in tradition

At a glance Small by design.
Personal by nature.

52 students

4.1:1 student–teacher ratio

12.6 FTE classroom teachers

8 hr school day

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2023–24 Private School Universe Survey.

A Torah scroll carried inside a synagogue

students opened the first school year in September 2001

WARMTH · LOVE · ACCEPTANCE · EDUCATION

Our beginning

One family’s hope became
a home for many.

Yeshiva Bonim Lamokom began with Nussen and Sarah Sander’s conviction that their son—and other boys with Down syndrome—deserved meaningful Jewish learning within the rhythm of yeshiva life.

Public accounts trace the school’s opening to September 2001, when seven students began learning inside the Yeshiva Torah Vodaath campus. The model was pioneering in its setting: specialized instruction with intentional access to a mainstream yeshiva community.

“
A haven of warmth, love, acceptance, education.
Sarah Sander, describing the founding vision

Explore our full story

Whole-child learning

Skills for the classroom.
Confidence for life.

Published program descriptions show a multi-sensory, individualized model that connects Torah learning, academics, communication, daily living, and community participation.

Torah & Jewish Life

Prayer, Torah learning, holidays, and shared moments that nurture identity, meaning, and joy.

Representative image of a boy writing in class

Academic Foundations

Literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, and technology paced to each learner’s profile.

Representative image of a young boy reading in a classroom

∞

Life & Social Skills

Communication, safety, hygiene, daily routines, and pre-vocational readiness taught in context.

Explore the learning program

Student learning photographs are representative licensed imagery, not photographs of enrolled students. Current course and service availability should be confirmed with the school.

How learning happens

One destination.
Many pathways.

Instruction meets students where they are, then builds the next achievable step through structure, practice, encouragement, and real-world connection.

Representative close-up of individualized schoolwork

Built around the learner

Goals become clear, reachable steps.

Materials adapted to comprehension level
English- and Yiddish-language learning described publicly
Progress reinforced through review and practice

Learning model summarized from publicly available NYSED proceedings and historical school materials; families should ask about the current program.

Our history

Rooted here.
Reaching forward.

From a seven-student beginning to a close-knit elementary and secondary program, the through-line has remained the same: make room for every learner to participate, contribute, and grow.

2001

A brave beginning

Seven students, one clear purpose

Nussen and Sarah Sander open Yeshiva Bonim Lamokom in September, inspired by the educational needs of their son, Moishey.

From day one

Inside yeshiva life

A home within Torah Vodaath

The program is established on a mainstream yeshiva campus—creating daily opportunities for presence, peer connection, and shared community.

2018–19

Belonging in practice

“Buddy Time” documented

Public education records describe peer pairings twice weekly, alongside shared lunch, recess, physical education, and school events.

2023–24

A close-knit school

52 students, deeply known

NCES records a 4.1:1 student–teacher ratio, reflecting an unusually personal learning environment for boys across elementary and secondary levels.

School culture

A culture of dignity,
joy, and respect.

Students thrive when expectations are clear, support is personal, and every success is noticed.

The school’s published learning model emphasizes positive reinforcement, safety, social communication, and participation. The commitments here translate those ideas into a family-friendly picture of daily culture.

Important note

No current official student handbook is publicly available. Families should confirm dress, attendance, conduct, and discipline policies directly with administration.

Explore community life

Community commitments Proposed summary · to be confirmed

Honor every person

Speak with respect, include others, and recognize the dignity in every member of the community.

Choose safety

Follow staff guidance, use shared spaces with care, and practice safe choices in school and community settings.

Participate with purpose

Come ready to learn, try the next step, and contribute to prayer, class, and community life.

Grow at your pace

Accept support, celebrate progress, and keep working through challenge with encouragement.

Tree-lined Brooklyn brownstones in spring — 01Brooklyn roots

A warm library and study table — 02Room to discover

Representative image of a boy reading at a study desk — 03Quiet confidence

Close-up of Hebrew text on a Torah scroll — 04Living tradition

Admissions

Begin with a
conversation.

Because the program is ungraded and individualized, the most useful first step is a direct conversation about your son’s strengths, needs, and goals.

Call (718) 693-9032

Connect

Call the school to introduce your family and ask about current openings.

Discuss your son’s learning profile and the supports that help him thrive.

Meet

Ask whether a family meeting, records review, or student visit is appropriate.

Plan

If the program is a fit, clarify placement, services, cost, and transition steps.

Prepare for your first call

Helpful information to have nearby

Student profile—strengths, interests, communication, and support needs
Education records—recent reports, evaluations, IEP or IESP if applicable
Related-service reports—speech, occupational, or physical therapy information
Family goals—academic, Jewish, social, independence, and transition priorities
Questions—schedule, transportation, meals, tuition, funding, and current services

Family questions

What we know.
What to ask.

Clear answers make for a better first conversation. These responses distinguish current public facts from details that need confirmation.

Speak with the school

What ages or grades does the school serve?

NCES classifies Yeshiva Bonim Lamokom as an ungraded elementary and secondary school. Because public third-party grade ranges conflict, families should ask which ages and learning profiles are currently served.

Is the program only for boys?

Yes. The 2023–24 NCES record identifies the student body as all male.

What does individualized learning include?

Public records describe adapted academic work, multi-sensory teaching, social and daily-living skills, pre-vocational learning, positive reinforcement, and peer inclusion. Ask the school which courses and therapies are available now.

Are transportation or tuition supports available?

Current transportation, tuition, public funding, and reimbursement policies are not published. Do not assume eligibility; discuss costs and any school-district process directly with the school and your district.

How do we apply?

Call (718) 693-9032. Ask about openings, student fit, documents, visits, timeline, tuition, and next steps. No official online application has been located.

Exterior of the shared Torah Vodaath campus

Shared Torah Vodaath campus · Brooklyn

Visit & connect

Come see where
belonging begins.

We welcome your first question. Call ahead to confirm office hours and arrange any visit.

Address425 East 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11218

Phone(718) 693-9032

Call the school Get directions

Cortelyou Rd E 9th Street

Yeshiva Bonim Lamokom425 E 9th St

QCortelyou Rd

Every child
has a place
to grow.

One family’s hope became
a home for many.