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An Opportunity To Do High School Differently

While our high school program mirrors the curriculum of local high schools — with courses in math, social studies, science and English — our students also receive diverse therapies and treatments. Our highly skilled special education teachers perform regular assessments to gauge students’ growth and discover where they need additional support.

Our high schoolers also have opportunities for various electives and extracurriculars like art, music and sports leagues.

We Value Well-Rounded, Diverse Academic Study

Our GlenOaks high school is approved by the Illinois State Board and accredited by Cognia. We blend academic education, extracurricular activities and therapies to nurture students’ emotional growth and independence.

Our small class sizes of approximately 10 students allow for special instruction to each student’s ability, including individualized instruction for unique learning needs.

In addition, we offer a variety of assessments from highly trained special education teachers to help fill learning gaps and measure growth.

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  • Common Core Standards

    Our school is a highly structured setting for daily academic instruction in Common Core standards, including a full range of required courses and electives.

  • A Variety of Courses

    Our curriculum includes a range of courses for all levels, including chemistry, advanced biology, trigonometry, algebra, precalculus, foreign languages and select Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

  • Technology-Rich Environment

    Your student will have hands-on experiential instruction in using the latest technology.

Specialty Classroom Options

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    STEP Classroom

    Our Social Therapeutic Education Program (STEP) classrooms allow autistic students to be understood and supported where they are uniquely in their treatment. Their needs are assessed, and materials are presented to match their learning styles.

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    Intervention Classroom

    We offer an intervention classroom for students who might become overwhelmed in traditional classes. These classes are self-paced and include mastery instruction by a special education teacher catering to individual needs. Students who feel less stressed and more confident can reintegrate into their regularly scheduled classes.

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    Virtual Classroom

    Our virtual classroom is designed for students already admitted to our high school. Students qualify for this classroom based on an interview process at admission, or they may join during enrollment based on treatment recommendations.

    Reasons a student may qualify for the virtual classroom include medical needs, mental health or other circumstances determined by the student, parents and student’s treatment team.

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    Learning Community Classroom

    Some students require a self-contained model to provide fewer transitions and stability within their day. These classes offer a wide variety of subjects while allowing students to stay within their small classroom setting.

Providing Emotional Support for All Students

We offer a variety of expressive therapies. Individual therapy is a main component of our program, with students meeting one-on-one with a licensed clinician or clinical psychologist once a week.

In these individual sessions, students work to develop or improve self-awareness, social skills and coping skills based on their personal goals.

Our therapists use a variety of techniques, including social thinking, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy. We also offer animal-assisted activities.

Art Therapies

  • Art therapy
  • Exploration of art
  • Photography

Music Therapies

  • Choir, guitar or piano
  • Music therapy
  • Music theory and appreciation

Recreation Therapies

  • Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL) sports teams
  • Exploration of leisure activities
  • Yoga and meditation
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Accessible Opportunities for Sports and Clubs

Because success at school goes beyond classroom studies, our students can participate in structured social activities through clubs and athletic programs.

The Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL) has sports teams for flag football, soccer, basketball and softball, emphasizing and rewarding sportsmanship. Additional after-school clubs may include art, music and movies. 

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Referrals to Our GlenOaks High School

The UChicago Medicine AdventHealth GlenOaks School opened in 1995 and has greatly expanded over the years. We blend academic and therapeutic activities for students from third grade through high school.

We welcome the opportunity to provide a unique educational experience for your high school student. Please email us at GOS.Referrals@AdventHealth.com for more information on referrals and admissions.

Contact Us

We’re here to answer any questions about our school, programming, curriculum and whether we might be a good fit for your student.