Middle School

Population Served

Our middle school is designed to serve 6th through 8th grade students who require a small, nurturing, and structured environment, provided through an accommodating program that meets their unique academic, social, and developmental needs. Our philosophy is founded on the importance of creating an atmosphere and sense of community where students develop trusting, positive relationships with school staff and peers in order to encourage school attendance and academic success. We are open to students with externalizing behaviors, internalizing behaviors and school refusal behaviors.

Academics

Our academic program consists of a mix of mastery learning and small group lessons to provide differentiated instruction tailored to each student’s individual needs. All our teaching staff are LBS1 licensed. Not only do we offer the core academic classes designed to meet Illinois Learning Standards for middle school students, but also physical education and a variety of electives (i.e., art, family and consumer sciences, computers, woodshop, etc.). Incorporated throughout the curriculum is support for students to enhance their study skills, critical thinking skills, and executive functioning skills. Remediation and related services identified in students’ IEPs (e.g., speech/language therapy) are also integrated into the student’s day as needed.

Therapeutic Services

Therapy is provided on an individual, group and family basis. Our clinicians are LCSW and/or MSW licensed and possess extensive experience in both residential and day school settings. Groups consist of a variety of psychoeducational curricula such as The Zones of Regulation, social skills, decision making skills, and somatic therapy (i.e., art, music, movement, etc). Individual counseling is provided on an as-needed basis by the student’s assigned therapist, but minimally one period a week. Family therapy is also an important part of our program in order to connect progress at school to the home environment.

Family Support

Promoting an emphasis on collaborative problem solving, parent groups and parent education are offered in addition to family therapy. Parents are accorded guidance as a community through monthly parent support groups and parent teacher organization meetings. Additionally, community-wide celebrations at the end of each semester as well as an annual Open House and Parent-Teacher-Student Conference are conducted for parents to become more familiar with all staff and make stronger connections to the school.

What makes The Learning House the place to go?

We have 25+ years of experience in the field of special education with a proven track record of facilitating our 8th through 12th grade students to successfully transition back to their home schools and/or graduate. When appropriate, we will provide supported attendance services to assist students in attending school. We also offer a smooth transition from middle school to high school through our high school program, which can also provide a positive peer support for middle school students. Focusing on teamwork and sportsmanship, we implement an athletic program for students through the Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL) in addition to a variety of other extracurricular activities and clubs. Furthermore, our amazing extended school year program not only provides remediation that focuses on each student’s challenges, but incorporates an experiential outdoor educational component to further encourage students to set SMART goals, step out of their comfort zones in a positive risk-taking stance, and develop increasing self-esteem and self confidence.

The Learning House is accredited by AdvancED and is an ISBE approved nonpublic school.