A Nurturing Environment Where Children Learn and Thrive
Children and young adults learn best within an environment where they feel safe, valued and encouraged.
At the Adventist GlenOaks Therapeutic Day Schools and Transition Program, students from 3rd grade through high school and into college age thrive within an environment that blends academic education with therapies that nurture each student’s emotional growth and independence.
Fully Accredited
The Adventist GlenOaks Therapeutic Day Schools and Transition Program are fully accredited by AdvancED and inspected and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Students earn academic credits that are transferable to their home school. At the end of each semester, their report card for classes completed is issued from the GlenOaks Therapeutic Day Schools and transferred as credit to the students’ home school official transcript.
A Spectrum of Services, Tailored to Students’ Needs
The Therapeutic Day Schools and Transition Program focus on the needs of children, adolescents and young adults who require more individualized, comprehensive and emotionally supportive education than they find at most public schools. These students may face a variety of challenges, such as:
- Emotional disorders or mental health diagnosis (Aspergers, bipolar disorder, etc.)
- Anxiety
- Dependency/lack of independence
- Health impairment
- Victimization through bullying or abuse
- Low confidence, low self-esteem
- Ineffective social skills
In addition to providing academic education, our programs are designed to help students enhance their self-awareness, confidence, problem-solving skills and social abilities to they can re-enter their local schools and feel more comfortable in their community. Our approach balances teaching, treatment and therapy-driven activities.
With a student to staff ratio of 5:1, the three Therapeutic Day Schools provide education for a total of 220 students. The Transition Program serves up to 20 young adults.
These self-contained schools provide a full range of academic, therapeutic and recreational activities, including standard state-based academic courses; physical education classes; extracurricular sports and clubs; and therapeutic programs in music, art and pet therapy; and so much more.
Qualified, Caring Staff
Our staff members are well-qualified to nurture each student’s educational needs as well as his or her emotional needs. Our staff genuinely cares about each student. They take their responsibility very personally to help every student thrive and reach his or her potential.
Many of our staff members hold dual certifications as teachers and as behavioral health professionals. Many hold masters degrees in areas of expertise, such as psychology or math (for teaching high school-level courses). Our team includes teachers, therapists, certified behavioral health counselors, nurses, clinical psychologists, social workers, art therapists, music therapists and other therapists, as well as board-certified psychiatrist.
Additionally, parents and caregivers play a vital role. Their insights into their child’s emotional health is extremely useful in helping our staff provide the very best care for that child’s needs. An on-line communication system allows families to monitor homework and progress.
“We’re big believers in a strong support network that fosters physical, social and emotional growth. Students here feel like they are part of a loving and caring ‘school’ family, and that’s why they feel comfortable and do well here.”
Lisa Grigsby, Director, Therapeutic Day Schools and Transition Program