The top reported proficiency rate is 0% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Cedar Knolls Academy
Cedar Knolls Academy is a special education school serving students in kindergarten through grade 12, located in Hawthorne in Westchester County. The school enrolls a small student body, distributed across a wide age and grade span. The enrollment includes a majority of students who are Black or Hispanic, with about a quarter of enrolled students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school operates as part of the Hawthorne-Cedar Knolls Union Free School District, a special act school district that does not operate on a residential-zoned or tax-referendum model; instead, it receives referrals from committees on special education across the region for students with disabilities.
State testing data from the school's most recent reported year shows very low results. In seventh-grade math, results were suppressed due to small numbers, though one student was tested. In eighth-grade math, zero students participated in testing. Seventh-grade English had zero test participation, while eighth-grade English had one student tested with results suppressed. Eighth-grade science showed zero participation. Testing participation is severely limited across the board, and proficiency rates where reported are at the floor. This is typical for schools serving students with significant disabilities, where many students may be on alternate assessments or have individualized education plans that exempt them from standard state testing. The extremely small number of tested students and near-zero participation rates mean state assessment comparisons are not meaningful for understanding the school's work. A parent seeking to understand the school's academic approach and outcomes would need to discuss directly with the school what assessments and learning goals shape instruction for their child.
Against the proficiency index comparing all districts in Westchester County, Cedar Knolls Academy falls in the bottom quartile, though this comparison has limited value given the school's distinct population and assessment structure. The school faces the inherent challenge of serving students with disabilities whose learning targets, instructional methods, and progress measures may differ fundamentally from mainstream state testing.
The Hawthorne area is an established community in Westchester County. Housing values in the 10532 zip code are above the state median. No recent strategic or operational changes to the district were found that would affect enrollment or program decisions, which is consistent with the nature of a specialized referral district focused on special education services.
For families considering Cedar Knolls Academy, the key conversation is with the school's leadership and special education staff about the specific services, support, curriculum, and outcomes available for their child's needs and IEP goals. State test scores are not a reliable lens for evaluating a special education school; direct inquiry into instructional programming, behavioral supports, transition planning, and individualized progress monitoring is essential.
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