The Woodcliff Academy
1345 Campus Parkway · Wall, NJ 07753 · 732-751-0240
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The Founder of Our School
Dr. Elizabeth J. Ferraro, a nationally-respected School Administrator and Learning Disabilities Specialist, is the founder of The Woodcliff Academy. Dr. Ferraro is, and always has been, a child advocate who has continuously insisted on presenting a complete, academic program to youngsters with academic learning problems.
Dr. Ferraro founded the Woodcliff Academy as it is known today in 1981. Her Woodcliff Method of education holds the teachers and the school environment responsible for the student's progress. She requires staff members to be sensitive to the psychological and educational needs of each student. All teaching methods must be adapted to meet the learning style of every student. Success only comes about by continuously diagnostically teaching. One size does not fit all when it comes to teaching!
Dr. Ferraro's work in curriculum development and program design dates back over forty years and extends from nursery school through high school. A graduate of Teachers College Columbia University, Dr. Ferraro has received degrees in Learning Disabilities, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Education K-12 and Post Doctoral work in Administration. First and foremost an educator, Dr. Ferraro has been a teacher of both conventional and learning disabled students. She is a widely-respected Learning Disabilities Consultant who has been a Director of Special Services for Public School Districts in New York and New Jersey. Her professional experience also includes research on the staff of the R & D Center of Teachers College Columbia University in visual imagery and memory as related to Special Education. She served as the Project Director, Curriculum Consultant and Federal Grant Evaluator for such institutions as the Maimonides Schools, Blythedale/Mt. Pleasant Hospital and School, BOCES Southern Westchester, the Funded Programs of New York City's District 4, and the State of New Jersey Educational Improvement Center (E.I.C.N.W.).
It should also be noted here that Dr. Ferraro is herself a dyslexic and, as such, is a constant reminder to her students and her faculty of what the human potential is all about.
Dr. Ferraro is now an advisor to the Board of Trustees and helps oversee of the philosophy and general operation of the school. She has turned the daily operation over to the Principal/Director Scott Corbett. The Applied Cognitive Behavior Modification Program is under the direction of James Gillock, Ed.D.
Our Principal/Director
Scott Corbett brings an innovative educational perspective to Woodcliff and a sincere concern for the needs of each student. His vision promotes a positive learning environment for students and fosters individual growth.
Mr. Corbett holds a BA in special education from Georgian Court University. He has extensive experience in special and regular education and is NCBL Highly Qualified in Math, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts Literacy. He has been a certified school administrator since 2003. He has been actively involved in the coordination of anti-bullying programs, peer leadership, teacher mentoring, mentoring at risk students, and advisor of peer-tutoring programs for students with academic challenges.
Under Mr. Corbett’s guidance the Woodcliff Academy has continued to promote the least restrictive environment while working closely with the sending districts and increasing parental involvement and communication. In addition under Mr. Corbett’s direction Woodcliff has become a state approved test site for NJASK-HSPA.