We opened Gillen Brewer in rented church space in 1992 with one boy enrolled. Years later, we are a community of 84 children and an exceptionally talented staff of more than 50 professionals. From the start, our mission has been steadfast — making a difference one child at a time.

— Laura Bilicic, Co-Founder

A Mission of Excellence

In 1992, Laura Bilicic and Laurie DuBos, two special education teachers, founded The Gillen Brewer School. The inspiration for this founding was the overwhelming need for a school in New York City where the children with the most challenging and severe disabilities and their families would be welcomed, educated and supported. The founders firmly believed that a knowledgeable and informed family is invaluable to each child's overall education. In the spirit of this commitment to family, the school is named after the co-founders' grandmothers Mattie Gillen and Virginia Brewer.

Gillen Brewer strives to maintain a diverse population of children from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Our Philosophy
Given an intimate, nurturing environment and a talented team of committed specialists, all children can learn.

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