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Rubino Academy

Experience middle and high school differently. With a small, supportive setting, Rubino Academy offers an accelerated track for credit recovery. Available to students in grades 7-12, our school is focused on academic success, emotional wellness, and social growth.

School Info

Hours
Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.

Grades
7-12

District
Mercer County Special Services School District

Transit Routes
  • NJ Transit – 601 bus Route

  • School Calendar

    Learn more about important dates on our 2025-2026 school year calendar.
    Download

Designed to help middle and high school students who are behind in credits, Rubino Academy works in partnership with nine school districts in Mercer County, New Jersey, to provide an educational setting where students feel safe, seen, and supported.
Relationships are at the heart of our school, and we get to know each student to identify their individual needs, challenges, and strengths, and then provide the care, counseling, and support needed to help them succeed in school—and in life.
In a smaller, more personal setting than traditional high schools can provide, Rubino Academy is an accelerated program that provides your student with the opportunity for credit recovery.
By developing coping and problem-solving skills, Rubino Academy students build emotional resilience, gain confidence, and recognize their own agency in realizing their full potential.

Related services offered at this school include student government and Group Guided Interactions (GGI) tailored to student needs.

Discover What Sets Rubino Academy Apart

Our Learning Pathways

  • Early Behavioral: Elementary Therapeutic and Behavior Support

    Early Behavioral: Elementary Therapeutic and Behavior Support

    Students We Serve

    • Young learners with frequent emotional dysregulation or impulsive behaviors

    • Students struggling with peer and adult interactions in early learning settings

    • Children requiring intensive behavioral support in a therapeutic environment

    • Learners who benefit from consistent routines, social-emotional development, and a high staff-to-student ratio

    Alternative Education Student Profiles
  • Transitional: Re-engagement and Rebuilding

    Transitional: Re-engagement and Rebuilding

    Students We Serve

    • Students removed from traditional settings due to behavioral or disciplinary challenges

    • Learners behind in coursework or credits who need targeted academic support

    • Students who show leadership potential but struggle with self-management and school engagement

    • Those preparing to return to a less restrictive setting with improved academic and behavioral readiness

    Alternative Education Student Profiles
  • Academic and Behavioral Support

    Academic and Behavioral Support

    We cultivate learning environments where instruction aligns with industry standards and district-specific curriculum requirements and ongoing support encourages prosocial behavior inside and outside the classroom.

  • Graduation and Postsecondary Readiness

    Graduation and Postsecondary Readiness

    No matter where a student’s unique learning journey leads, SESI helps prepare them for the next step—whether that’s graduation, vocational school, or job training.

  • Credit Recovery and Grade Advancement

    Credit Recovery and Grade Advancement

    We offer dedicated programs to help students earn credits at an accelerated pace—almost twice as fast as in traditional classrooms. This proven approach helps close grade-level gaps and keep students on track for graduation.

Meet Our Team

With deep experience and dedication to helping all students discover their full potential, our leaders provide an unwavering commitment to supporting our teachers, therapists, and other staff while fostering relationships with families and district partners.

  • Antoinette is a seasoned leader in clinical psychology and alternative education with over 25 years of experience supporting youth and families through program development, mental health services, and educational leadership. In her role as executive director, Antoinette oversees all aspects of the school’s administration, from academic leadership and student services, to budgeting and accreditation.

    Antoinette’s career has consistently centered on providing high-quality, trauma-informed care, and educational services to marginalized youth. Prior to her current role, she held senior positions including managing director and director of admissions and student services.

    Antoinette holds a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Miami, where she specialized in the child and family track, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Africana Studies from Cornell University. She is deeply committed to equity in education and mental health access, and has a leadership style grounded in compassion, accountability, and community partnership.

What People Are Saying

Across our schools and programs, we’re proud to partner with families, educators, and district leaders to support student success. Hear firsthand how our collaborative approach, experienced staff, and commitment to individualized education are making a lasting impact in classrooms and communities.

  • Rubino Academy has been very supportive and helpful to my child.

    Matthew

Events & Stories

  • A Science Lesson Using Slime

    ACI High School creating slime after a science lesson on liquid turning into solid with ingredients. Photographed: Ms. Amber Hawthorne…
    December 27, 2022
  • Achieve Academy East on The Jennifer Hudson Show

    We’re beyond proud of Stanley Alston, Team Lead, and Tiffany Davis, Teacher, for representing Achieve Academy East on The Jennifer Hudson Show! Stanley Alston,…
    February 21, 2025
  • A Veteran in the Classroom

    Between our 90 standalone day schools and 90-plus In-District Classroom partnerships across 17 states, SESI serves nearly 8,000 special education students every year—many of whom have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
    November 17, 2023

Resources

  • 20 Days of Fun and Learning ESY 2025

    Highlights from Our Extended School Year (ESY) The Extended School Year (ESY) was packed with learning, laughter, and unforgettable fun!…
  • Donuts, Diplomas, and Determination: Celebrating Summer Graduates

    Summer School Becomes a Second Chance for Excel Students For a group of students from Excel Academies of Philadelphia, this…
  • Mary Rico, SESI’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, featured on Fox 2 San Francisco

    Celebrating an Incredible Educator: Mary Rico Named 2025 Teacher of the Year We’re thrilled to congratulate Mary Rico, an extraordinary…

FAQ’s

  • SESI schools serve students with a wide range of special education needs, including emotional, behavioral, developmental, and learning challenges. We support students who need a more structured, individualized educational environment to succeed. Our schools are designed to help K–12 students with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) reach their academic, social, and emotional goals through personalized instruction, positive behavior supports, and a safe, supportive setting.

  • Parents can expect a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment where their child’s individual needs are understood and addressed. SESI schools partner closely with families and school districts to provide customized academic instruction, behavior support, and related services. Regular communication, goal setting, and progress monitoring ensure that families stay informed and engaged in their child’s success.

  • The next step is to contact us to schedule a tour of our school. This will give you the opportunity to meet our team, explore our facilities, and learn more about how we can support your child.

Contact Rubino Academy