[2] Founded in 1973, the Child School began in Maari de Souza's apartment building on Roosevelt Island.

Maari began to teach children with learning disabilities using her own curriculum which was tailored to each of her students.

[1] In 2010 Maari De Souza was replaced by Sal Ferrera as the executive director of The Child School/Legacy High School.

The Island House includes a science lab with state-of-the-art equipment and a flat-screen television.

The overarching purpose is to promote learning, to meet the unique needs of early adolescents, and to support a successful transition to high school.

Established in 1996, Legacy High School educates students, grades 9–12, with learning disabilities.