About
Frostig School is part of The Frostig Center, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with diverse learning needs through research, professional development and consultation, and education. The Frostig Center has been a leader and expert in the field of learning differences since it was founded by Dr. Marianne Frostig in 1951.
Frostig School encompasses two campuses–one in Pasadena and one in West Los Angeles—that serve 135 students. Frostig School and Frostig School West give every student the opportunity to thrive by valuing their strengths and their differences.
The Frostig Center is also home to the Consultation and Education Department, which trains hundreds of public, private, and parochial school teachers every year to use research-based instructional strategies that improve learning for struggling students.
Who We
Serve
Frostig School welcomes children, teens and young adults who have complex learning differences. Frostig students have diagnosed learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, processing disorders and dyscalculia, while others live with ADHD, high functioning autism spectrum disorder and anxiety. Most Frostig students contend with more than one challenge, such as dyslexia and ADHD, high functioning autism and auditory processing disorder. We are a community that celebrates diversity and the unique gifts and challenges of each student.
Frostig draws students from throughout Southern California. Students travel from Manhattan Beach, Claremont, Beverly Hills, Fillmore, and other distant points to access the specialized education found only at Frostig School in Pasadena. We opened Frostig School West in 2019 to meet the needs of families living in West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
Frostig welcomes and encourages diversity. Our services are available to all who need them, without regard to ethnic background, race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, non-disqualifying disability or religion.
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Our FounderThe Frostig Center was established in 1951 by Dr. Marianne Frostig, an Austrian emigre who came to the United States during World War II. Dr. Frostig was a pioneer in the field of learning differences who combined compassion for children with a commitment to research. Both remain hallmarks of a Frostig School education. Dr. Frostig developed some of the earliest diagnostic tests for learning disabilities and published several books on her research and her approach to education. She started Frostig School in her home and moved to larger facilities in West Los Angeles as enrollment grew. In 1979, Frostig moved to Pasadena to accommodate continued growth. We have been at our current location since September 1987. Dr. Frostig received many awards during her lifetime and earned an international reputation as an expert in the field of learning challenges and special education. One of Dr. Frostig’s legacies is the body of ground-breaking research that The Frostig Center produced. For many years Frostig conducted cutting edge research on a variety of topics, including assistive technology, working memory and math disabilities. The Frostig Center’s most impactful work was a 20-year longitudinal study that identified a set of personal attributes that are closely associated with successful outcomes in life for people with learning challenges. The Success Attributes are woven into the daily activities at Frostig School and Frostig School West. Frostig gradually shifted from primary research to what is known as translational research, which calls for identifying, implementing and sharing research-based strategies that emanate from universities. |
OUR CORE VALUESCommunity
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Frostig School TodaySeventy years later, Frostig School remains true to Dr. Frostig’s values and vision. We are a community of respect, committed to providing a safe environment where students are proud to be themselves in small classes that embrace research-based practices. Our well-rounded education includes the arts, sports, social learning, transition planning and much more. We strive to prepare our students not only for the challenges of school, but also for the challenges they will face throughout life. For the first time in our history, Frostig School is operating two campuses. Our 1.5-acre Pasadena campus, set in a lovely residential neighborhood, has a substantial playground area, an auditorium, 10 classrooms including fine art classrooms for music, art, cinema and drama, and a fully equipped kitchen for student cooking instruction. Each classroom is equipped with the latest in technology and each student is provided with a laptop or iPad during school hours. Our West campus, which opened in August 2019, is located on the beautiful grounds of Bel Air Church on Mulholland Drive. The school features spacious classrooms, a multipurpose room, and plentiful outdoor space with sweeping views of Los Angeles. As in Pasadena, classrooms are well-equipped with technology and all students have access to computers. |
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Frostig School is a nonpublic school that has joint accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the California Association of Independent Schools. Nonpublic schools are private, non-sectarian and certified by the state of California to provide special education services to students based on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). All courses, credits and high school diplomas are recognized by the California Department of Education.
Accreditation from WASC and CAIS means that our school meets a high standard of services in all areas—from the classroom to the business office. Frostig School received the highest possible score in its most recent WASC review. We were also awarded membership in CAIS in 2019 after an extensive evaluation process resulting in a 7-year membership, the longest possible. |
| The Frostig Center conducted a study to investigate why some people with learning differences find the road to successful, rewarding lives, and others struggle through adulthood. Our researchers caught up with former Frostig School students 10 and 20 years after their departure from Frostig School and identified six personal characteristics that were predictive of success. These “success attributes” are self-awareness, pro-activity, perseverance, goal setting, effective use of support systems, and emotional coping strategies.
The Success Attributes were more powerful predictors of success than numerous other variables, including IQ, academic achievement, life stressors, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. This was groundbreaking research that had implications for education, transition services, employment readiness, and more. When Frostig alumni share their stories with staff, they frequently cite the lasting impact of the Success Attributes. One young man who fulfilled his childhood dream of working at a theme park reached out to Frostig to express his gratitude for the lessons he learned here. While a fifth- and sixth-grade student at Frostig, he said, his teachers taught him to persevere, to never take no for an answer. With that in mind, he applied for a job at Universal Studios several times before landing a retail position in 2016. By 2020 he had joined the division that creates the attractions. “Frostig is a big part of my career,” he said. Understanding and nurturing the Success Attributes can aid in a child’s development and ability to overcome learning challenges. Frostig has integrated the Success Attributes into its school curriculum. We have also published two guide books to help parents and teachers foster the development of these Success Attributes. Research and PublicationsThe Impact of Labeling – 2002 Higgins-et-al |
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A Guide For Parents
A Guide For Teachers |
Our Head of SchoolJenny Tucker Mottes, Ph.D., joined Frostig School as principal in 2014 after 17 years in public education. Ms. Tucker Mottes is remarkable for her commitment to promoting a strong academic program while also supporting students’ social and emotional needs. Her dedication to Frostig students captured the notice of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, which honoroed Ms. Tucker Mottes with its 2021 Everyday Champion Award for her “heroic and outstanding achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic.” While working as a teacher and principal in the Monrovia and Duarte school districts, Jenny gained experience in curriculum, instruction, professional development and school leadership. She worked with children with a wide range of learning challenges and developed an early intervention program for preschool-aged children with special needs. Jenny holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Cal State Fullerton and she earned her Ph.D. in Urban Leadership at Claremont Graduate University. |
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Our Assistant Head of SchoolCasey Rasmussen has worked with children and in the field of education for over 27 years in the capacities of camp counselor, camp director, play-based therapy counselor and director, paraprofessional support for students on the autism spectrum, and K-6 classroom teacher. The last 14 years, Casey has been in the Director/Administrative roles of Student Support Coordinator, Director of Student Support and Facilities and Site Director/Principal. Casey holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from UC Santa Barbara, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Mills College, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from California State University Los Angeles, a California multiple subjects credential, and an Administrative Services credential. Our Teaching StaffAll Frostig School teachers are credentialed in special education and have extensive training in learning differences. All teaching staff are trained in research-based instructional programs including Lindamood-Bell, Wilson Reading System, Step Up to Writing and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Just as importantly, our teachers exude a passion for their work and deep respect for their students. The teaching staff is a close-knit team that meets often and regularly to share information and support the progress of every student. Frostig’s wide array of electives–art, music, drama, film and computer science–are taught by instructors who specialize in those fields. Our Clinical StaffFrostig School Pasadena stands out for having a large clinical staff based on campus. They include educational therapists, speech and language therapists, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, mental health counselors and an assistive technology expert. By working on site, clinicians can observe students in the classroom and work closely with teachers to implement the most effective strategies for each child’s treatment and education plans. Clinical services are offered individually or in a small group setting (three students maximum). They may be provided in the classroom or on a pull-out basis. Depending on their Individualized Education Plan, children may be seen 1-3 hours a week. |
| The Board of Directors is responsible for defining Frostig’s mission and providing strategic direction for the school.
Lisa Zaharoni Jim McManus Brian Krinsky Norm Solomon Phyllis Kochavi Ziad Ghandour Dean Conklin, Ed.D. |
“I want to thank everyone at Frostig who helped me push myself to my limits and even beyond.”
FROSTIG GRADUATE