River Academy of Excellence, a new special education school for children with disabilities, opened last week in Seven Fields.

The school is a sister organization of River Pediatric Therapies, a physical therapy clinic in Cranberry which provides early intervention and clinical therapy services.

Founder Cherie River worked with Dr. Lee Myford, former Chair of the Local Task Force for the Right To Education in Intermediate Unit IV, to establish the school. The state approved a license to open the school for up to 16 students in the 2021-22 school year at the end of the summer.

River Academy of Excellence will provide occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, music therapy and speech therapy for students who have an individualized plan. The school schedule was created to embed services daily so that students' needs are addressed.