LEAGUE SCHOOL FOR AUTISM CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF EMPOWERING NEURODIVERGENT STUDENTS
Providing educational excellence and positively impacting the future trajectory of neurodivergent students
WALPOLE, MA, February 03, 2026 -- In 1966, League School for Autism was founded to provide educational excellence and positively impact the future trajectory for neurodivergent students, becoming one of the first schools in Massachusetts dedicated to students with autism. Now celebrating its 60th year of empowering students with autism, League School has come a long way since its early beginnings in a school basement just outside of Boston.
Incorporated by co-founders Dr. Arnold and Leona Vetstein of Newton and Dr. Morton and Russela (Marget) Olin of Brookline, the school received organizational assistance from Dr. Carl Fenichel, founder and long-time director of the League School of Brooklyn. League School opened its first classroom in the basement of Peabody School in Newton, then moved up the hill to the Old Richardson House a year later. In 1973, the school moved to the Lindemann Mental Health Center in Boston, and eight years later moved back to Newton to the former Carr School. In 1999, League School found its final home located at 300 Boston Providence Turnpike in Walpole, where the 12-acre property was purchased and a new school building was constructed. Later between 2015-2019, the school was extended by a three-story addition and two onsite residential buildings.
Today, League School for Autism is licensed to serve 110 students (including 32 residential) ages 3-22, from over 60 Massachusetts communities. The school has a year-round individualized curriculum based on student strengths and support needs. They are the only school in Massachusetts to offer the innovative and evidence-based SCERTS® Model, a neurodevelopmental relational approach supported by multidisciplinary teams of professional specialists, including educators, clinicians, speech and language, occupational, and physical therapy staff.
League School's Vocational Training Program is designed around a step-by-step process that allows students to acquire the skills and experience they need to feel progressively comfortable and confident in a work environment, including on- and off-campus vocational opportunities. League School continues to look ahead to the future and has a vision to create a state-of-the-art Career Learning Center (CLC) on property adjacent to the school. The importance of preparing students for future work opportunities will be echoed during a special presentation by Dr. Temple Grandin, well-known author and speaker, hosted by League School on October 16, 2026.
"Our 60 years of empowering students with autism stands on the shoulders of our school's founders, leaders, staff, and supporters. We hope that this rich history of impact and excellence will provide a catalyst of support for our vision, helping transition students with autism into meaningful work, careers, and opportunities for the future," declared Larry Sauer, CEO of League School for Autism.
Throughout 2026, League School for Autism will continue to weave its 60th anniversary celebration into all activities and events culminating in the 60th Anniversary Autism Empowerment Gala on October 16th and hopes that the community will join them in the celebration.
Located in Walpole, Massachusetts, the League School for Autism is a leading private Day and Residential school for students with Autism, ages 3 to 22. Since 1966, we've been dedicated to excellence in autism education and empowering individuals with Autism to live their best lives. We employ a unique, comprehensive approach emphasizing academic, social, emotional, communication, and emotional regulation skills to maximize positive outcomes for the individuals we serve and their families.
For more information, contact Sabrina Manno, Director of Marketing, League School for Autism, smanno@leagueschool.com.
Website: https://www.leagueschool.org
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Sabrina MannoLeague School for Autism
East Walpole, MA
United States
Voice: 5088503900
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