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    ASPIRE – An Illawarra Private School for Wollongong Children with Autism & Mild to Moderate Intellectual Disability

    ASPIRE – An Illawarra Private School for Wollongong Children with Autism & Mild to Moderate Intellectual Disability

    Looking for Wollongong Schools for Autism, where your neuro diverse child can thrive? ASPIRE is a dedicated Illawarra School for students with an intellectual disability and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis (ASD). ASPIRE is Cedars Christian College’s Primary School for Special Purpose and children with Autism. It’s located 10 minutes south of Wollongong and is for students years 3-8.

    ASPIRE gives tailored, specialist support for neuro-diverse children. Yet the school retains strong integration into the Cedars’ mainstream school and community. This means ASPIRE students get the benefits of specialist AND mainstream, high quality and private education.

    ASPIRE is for years 3 – 8. It provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and tailored support. ASPIRE is currently welcoming ALL enrolment enquiries, particularly for students entering Year 3 or Year 6 who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Intellectual Disability.

    2026 & 2027 enrolment enquiries are now OPEN. Due to small class sizes, spaces are limited. Parents can enquire with ASPIRE here, or call (02) 4258 0400, or email [email protected]

    ASPIRE is a Wollongong School, offering education dedicated to Illawarra children with Autism, ASD and mild to moderate intellectual disability.

    Cedars ASPIRE school is structured in such a way to allow maximum support for its students, but also strong integration and support into the Cedars’ school community. If your child has an ASD / Autism diagnosis, an intellectual impairment and is experiencing academic challenges, then ASPIRE supports your child academically and emotionally. Each child unique’s needs are understood and then catered for.

    ASPIRE is different from mainstream school in these ways:

    • Small class sizes with no more than 10 students ( 1 special education teacher and aide),
    • Sensory/emotional regulation breaks are built into the timetable.
    • Accommodations are made for both the classroom and the playground, so the student is supported in all areas of their schooling.
    • All students have an ASPIRE Learning Plan catering for the student’s unique social, emotional and academic needs. The personalised plans have targeted goals tailored to meet each student’s unique needs.
    • ASPIRE offers research-based remediation literacy and numeracy programs.
    • Students get specialised support but retain the benefits of being part of a mainstream school.

    The ASPIRE Learning Plan will ensure each child is uniquely catered for and crucially, each student is also part of the wider Cedars Schooling experience, removing the sense of isolation or exclusion. 

    There has been a deliberate decision by Cedars ASPIRE, to run specialised classes with Special Education Teachers whilst integrating students effectively into the wider school. The Cedars ASPIRE Team led by Mrs Vanessa Bradford, are ensuring each student can flourish in a blended mainstream and specialist school environment. ASPIRE offers each student the rich benefits of mainstream school and community but with specialist, individualised support.

    Disability & Education in the Illawarra – How ASPIRE supports each child unique needs:

    Cedars Christian College, known as forward thinking leaders in Illawarra education, ASPIRE builds on this. ASPIRE’S Special Education Teachers create a tailored plan for each student for educational, social, emotional. This plan also supports critical life and independent living skills. Small class sizes and specialist teaching staff help each child to thrive. It offers a new private education opportunity for Illawarra based children with an Autism Diagnosis of Level 1/2, or intellectually disabled students.

    Why Consider ASPIRE & Cedars Christian College for your child?

    Every child desires to belong. Every parent aches for their child to fit in, have friends, be loved, be safe, and find success in life. ASPIRE’s goal is to deliver this for each and every child.

    ASPIRE caters for Illawarra ASD & Intellectually disabled students in Years 3-8. ASPIRE are taking enrolments now and have immediate availability for years 3 and 6. Parents can enquire with ASPIRE here, or call (02) 4258 0400, or email [email protected]

    Early enrolment and enquiry is strongly recommended due to the class size limits. ASPIRE will grow over the next 5 years to cater for up to 50 students from Years 3-12.

    ASPIRE Parent Testimonial:

    It’s a challenge as a parent to know what school will work best for your child,

    Yet here I sit writing a testimony as a parent of a child who is nearing the completion of her first year of attending ASPIRE.

    What an amazing year it has been!

    Our daughter’s independence, self-confidence, and her ability to try has grown exponentially as a result of attending ASPIRE.

    A smaller class size, individually set learning goals, smaller special education trained teacher to student ratio and regular consultation with parents, are just some of the blessings that have worked in achieving growth in our daughter at school this year.

    Peter & Hayley Macfarlane

    For any parents wishing to find the right school for their unique child, please make contact with Cedars ASPIRE. They take a holistic approach to education knowing it results in empowering and equipping students to achieve greater success and fulfilment in their lives. Start a plan for your child’s future today here.

    ASPIRE – An Illawarra Private School for Wollongong Children with Autism & Intellectual Disability

    Thank you to Cedars Christian College for sponsoring this article so more Illawarra parents can be aware of this educational option.

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