School and Transition Program

Our History
The UChicago Medicine AdventHealth GlenOaks School and Transition Program was founded in 1995 to serve the needs of at-risk adolescents and children in a six-county radius of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

From a small handful of students and staff, we have grown into a two-campus program that serves the needs of more than 220 children, adolescents and young adults (grades 3 through 12) on a daily basis, as well as a transition program for young adults (ages 18 through 22). Our state-accredited programs and dedicated staff have provided almost 25 years of continuous, innovative service to our local communities.

Our Staff
Our staff is comprised of a qualified group of teachers, nurses, social workers, therapists, clinical psychologists and a psychiatrist who genuinely care for the well-being of each student.

Our Mission
Our program will help your child:

• Work through their unique therapeutic issues in a safe environment
• Learn and achieve through appropriate behavior modifications and diverse learning activities
• Make appropriate, informed decisions and take responsibility for their actions and decisions
• Foster a lifelong love of learning through a diverse curriculum of subjects
• Build self-esteem by structuring positive relationships with peers and staff
• Demonstrate improved communication skills to get their needs met in society
• Recognize, understand and celebrate the unique differences between people and cultures

The Lower Grade Center (LGC) serves students in third through eighth grade in self-contained classrooms with a maximum of 10 students. Each classroom has a certified special education teacher (most at a master's degree level) and a behavioral health counselor with a bachelor's or master's degree in psychology, counseling, education, etc. This team approach includes regular communication with parents and school district personnel.

Curriculum
We offer daily instruction in Common Core curriculum, offering language arts, reading, math, social studies, science, physical education; hands-on experience using the latest technology; special assessments, allowing teachers to measure growth throughout the year.

In addition, specialty programming, emotional support and extracurricular activities are available.

To learn more, download our Lower Grade Center flyer.

The Alternative High School offers an expansive range of academics for students in grades 9 through 12, from remedial to college prep. We also monitor and gauge each student's progress with regular assessments.

Curriculum
Our curriculum mirrors the student's local high school, with subjects including math, science, English, social studies and foreign languages. Subject areas are grade-appropriate with a wide variety of electives. In addition, students receive a diverse plan of therapy and treatment modalities.

Extracurricular Activities
Students are given the opportunity to participate in numerous activities outside of their academic program, including:

• Art
• Music
• Technology
• Video games
• Sports leagues

For more information, download our High School flyer.

The Transition Program helps students ages 17 through 21 gain the skills they need to help them live, work and function successfully as independent young adults through volunteering, work internships, tutoring and counseling.

This program consists of the following areas to get students ready for the life they deserve:

• Education
• Employment and career exploration
• Job training
• Independent living skills
• Social, emotional and self-advocacy skills
• Offers a choice of two five-hour sessions to best accommodate students’ college or work schedules

Download our Transition Center flyer for more information.

Everyone deals with behavioral health issues differently. That’s why in our School and Transition Program, we offer a variety of therapy options to help your child manage emotions in a safe, welcoming environment.

Parents and students choose from individual or group therapy sessions where students can communicate their true feelings through art, self-expression, music therapy, physical activity or even connecting with animals.

Depending on your child’s needs, they may participate in:

• Expressive Therapy
• Social Work and Counseling

Whether you are looking to admit your child or refer a pediatric patient to our program, we can help you get started.

Our Admission Process
IMPORTANT: Students must be classified with a social-emotional disability or other health impairment or autism to be eligible for the program.

Parents typically begin the process by discussing multiple program options with their local school district's treatment team and determining which would be most suitable for their child. If you choose to move forward with our school, we adhere to the following process:

1. The school district sends the student's information packet (IEP records) to our school’s referrals email inbox
2. After notifying the school district that the packet has been received, our office staff reviews the student's information and determines which campus would be the best fit
3. Our clinical psychologist reviews the student's information with an administrator
4. If the student is determined to be a potential fit for the program, the student and their family are invited to visit and tour the school
5. During this visit, school staff will conduct an interview with the student and their parents; our administration will notify the family within 24 to 48 hours if their child has been accepted

Once a campus has been selected and the logistics have been worked out, students typically can begin classes within one week of acceptance. The timeline for this process can vary from three days to one month.

UChicago Medicine AdventHealth GlenOaks Therapeutic Day Schools and Transition Program's intent is to provide all students with an equitable opportunity to learn. Download our Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Policy and Procedures.

If you experience or witness bullying, report it at any time by completing this Bullying Incident Report Form and submitting it to GOS.Admins@AdventHealth.com