Students returned for in-person fall classes in the Mount Pleasant Blythedale Union Free School District, located at Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla.

After months of taking classes remotely, 19-year-old Horace McFarlane, of Yonkers, along with other students, were back for in-person learning.

Therapists are helping McFarlane, an aspiring professional soccer player, get closer to his dream after a large tumor was found in his groin two years ago, resulting in a complicated surgery and intensive rehabilitation.

Once Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave the OK for in-person special education classes to resume, 78% of the students at the school opted in for the summer session. For fall, that number increased to 88%.

Dr. Emily Hersh is the superintendent of the Mount Pleasant Blythedale school district, and says she is thrilled to see students in person again.

"It feels great. There is a sense of normalcy and structure that we're able to provide to the children, to the families and to the staff as well," she says.

In addition to in-person classes, Mount Pleasant Blythedale School continues to offer remote learning.