A new and meaningful chapter in the olam hachinuch is unfolding with the opening of Ateres Shoshana, a girls’ high school in Queens thoughtfully designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s talmidos. Rooted in warmth, excellence, and individualized attention, Ateres Shoshana aspires to be a true makom Torah—a place where every bas Yisroel is empowered to grow, learn, and thrive.
At the helm of the school is Mrs. Meira Winter, Menaheles, whose more than two decades of experience in chinuch and administration—specifically working with high school girls with learning challenges—have shaped a deeply student-centered vision. She brings both professional expertise and genuine care to her role, ensuring that each talmidah is seen, understood, and guided toward success. Mrs. Winter is deeply committed to helping each talmidah reach her maximum potential, guiding every girl to recognize her strengths and build the confidence and skills needed to succeed both in and beyond the classroom.
Working closely with the talmidos is Dr. Naomi Saar, Dean of Students, a seasoned social worker with years of experience supporting girls with learning challenges. With a strong focus on social-emotional well-being, Dr. Saar is dedicated to fostering an environment where every talmidah feels secure, valued, and confident. At the same time, she is committed to ensuring that the school’s intentionally small and supportive setting creates a full and enriching high school experience—socially, emotionally, and developmentally, alongside strong academic growth.
What distinguishes Ateres Shoshana is its clear and compassionate recognition that no two talmidos learn alike. The school is prepared to support a broad spectrum of learning challenges, including auditory and language processing challenges, non-verbal learning disorders (NVLD), dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. It also supports memory-related difficulties and executive functioning challenges such as organization, planning, and time management. Each support is thoughtfully integrated into the school day, allowing every talmidah to access the curriculum in a way that works best for her.
It is also important to note that Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are neurodevelopmental disorders, meaning they originate in the way the brain processes information, and are not the result of a lack of effort, intelligence, motivation, or educational opportunity. This understanding is central to Ateres Shoshana’s approach, shaping a compassionate and strengths-based model of support.
Learning difficulties significantly interfere with academic performance, occupational functioning later in life, and everyday activities that require reading, writing, or math skills. These challenges can impact a student’s ability to fully access and demonstrate her knowledge without appropriate support and intervention. The goal of Ateres Shoshana is to provide a structured, nurturing, and individualized high school environment in which girls are empowered to succeed academically while also developing confidence in their abilities. By addressing learning needs directly and thoughtfully, the school seeks to help talmidos not only achieve success during their high school years, but also build the skills, self-awareness, and resilience necessary to set themselves up for long-term success in college, careers, and adult life—as well as as wives, mothers, and integral members of the frum community.
The faculty at Ateres Shoshana will be a carefully selected team of highly trained special education teachers with a proven track record of success in supporting talmidos with diverse learning needs. These experienced educators will be thoughtfully integrated with newer teachers who bring fresh perspectives, up-to-date training, and strong familiarity with the latest advancements in educational methods and technology. Together, this blend creates a dynamic, skilled, and forward-thinking teaching staff committed to maximizing each talmidah’s potential.
Beyond the classroom, Ateres Shoshana places a strong emphasis on creating a vibrant and engaging high school experience. The school plans to incorporate a rich extracurricular program into the daily schedule, including opportunities such as choir, dance, art, and STEM, alongside a meaningful and ongoing chesed component. In addition, the school will offer Shabbatons, overnights, trips, Chagigahs, and other classic high school experiences, ensuring that talmidos enjoy a full, joyful, and socially enriching high school life, just like in any well-rounded high school setting. These offerings are designed not only to enhance talmidos’ talents and creativity, but to foster a sense of joy, connection, and responsibility—ensuring a well-rounded and fulfilling high school experience.
From its very inception, Ateres Shoshana is being built with this mission at its core: to meet each talmidah where she is and help her realize her fullest potential. Through close collaboration between administration, educators, and families, the school aims to nurture not only academic achievement, but confident, capable young women prepared to embrace their future.
The school will serve families across Queens, the Five Towns, Long Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and beyond, addressing a growing need for accessible, high-quality, specialized high school education within the community.
This initiative builds upon the decades-long impact of P’TACH, a trusted leader in specialized education that has served children with learning challenges in the frum community for over 40 years. Recognizing the increasing need for a dedicated high school setting for older talmidos, Ateres Shoshana represents a natural and important next step—extending this vital support into a space tailored specifically for teenage girls.
Guiding this vision are Dr. Judah Weller, Executive Director, whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing the school to fruition, together with Rabbi Sholom Skolnik, Assistant Director, who is spearheading this new initiative. The school proudly operates under the Rabbinical Board of Rabbi Doniel Lander, Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, and Rabbi Herschel Welcher, whose guidance ensures that every aspect of its development remains anchored in Torah values, educational integrity, and a deep commitment to the needs of Klal Yisrael. Together, they are helping ensure that every bas Yisroel is given the opportunity to flourish—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
