A Different
Approach to Education

Black Bear Academy student art project

about the school

We offer classes for children from 18 months through first grade. We also provide specialized, academic support services to help children grow and develop in all areas of learning.

Full-Inclusion Model

We are a therapeutic school with a full-inclusion model led by a staff of highly trained teachers and therapists. Our special education teachers, early childhood educators, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and psychologists work as a team to best serve the needs of each child in our school setting.

All Ability Levels

Our specialized team of teachers and therapists are equipped to educate young children at any ability level. Whether your child is nonverbal, unable to walk, or simply struggles with emotional regulation, we will work with your family to provide a curriculum that meets your child’s needs. Our goal is provide early and intensive intervention during the prime developmental years so that children are better prepared for their next educational environment.

Supportive Community

Raising young children with special needs lends itself to high levels of parental distress and isolation. We provide a place where families can feel supported and part of a community while creating lifelong bonds with other parents, teachers, and therapists.

2’s and Under

The 2’s and Under Class is open to children as young as 18 months and introduces our youngest learners to early language and developmental skills in a supportive, play-based setting.

This class is designed to support young children’s social-emotional, language, and physical development in a structured yet play-based setting. In this class, your child will establish confidence in being away from parents or guardians while gaining crucial practice in early language skills, gross motor skills, and problem solving skills such as cause and effect. Your child will also gain early primary knowledge about colors, numbers, environmental sound identification, and music as they engage in a variety of play-based activities that encourage physical coordination, increased attention span, and the ability to verbally identify their emotions and navigate their world.

two young girls playing in the play area at Black Bear Academy

2’s Classes

Tailored specifically for two-year-olds, our 2’s classes support children’s early development and foundational learning skills.

2’s Class

The 2’s class is an academic class designed to facilitate developmental growth and learning for children ages two years to two years and eleven months. In this structured yet play-based class, your child will develop an age-appropriate understanding of learning as they begin to establish early foundational skills in core knowledge areas such as colors, letters, and numbers. Play-based activities will support children’s understanding of character and friendship as they also practice phonemic awareness, increased vocabulary and verbal skills, large motor skills, social awareness, sustained attention skills, and self expression in preparation for a successful transition to the preschool program.

2’s Prep

2's Prep is a therapeutic class taught by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) and an Occupational Therapist (OT). This class is also supported by a child psychologist who focuses on building emotional and behavioral regulation skills, as well as social skills. In this class, your child will participate in free play, circle time, art, music, movement, snack, story time, and social-emotional regulation activities. This class structure will support your child’s academic readiness skill development, fine motor skill development, and speech and language skill development.

2’s Plus

2's Plus is our most specialized and supportive class designed for children above two years of age who need support with engagement, attention, regulation, learning, and communication skills. Children in the 2's Plus class also benefit from direct instruction in how to engage and socialize with their peers. Taught by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) and an Occupational Therapist (OT), 2's Plus is also supported by a child psychologist who focuses on building emotional and behavioral regulation skills, as well as social skills. During this class, your child will participate in free play, circle time, art, music, movement, snack, story time, and social-emotional regulation activities. This daily class structure will support your child’s academic readiness skill development, fine motor skill development, and speech and language skill development.

young girl laying on the ground playing at Black Bear Academy in Chicago, Il

Preschool

Our Preschool classes meet at least three days per week and support developmental and academic readiness skills in children above the age of three.

Preschool

The academic Preschool class introduces children to more structure and academics through experiential and multisensory learning approaches. In this class designed for children above three years of age, your child will become familiar with our formal curriculums including lessons in pre-literacy (Wilson Fundations Program®), pre-writing (Handwriting Without Tears™ and SQ Write™), and mathematics (Eureka Math®). Your child will engage in science and social studies lessons based upon a weekly theme. Students in the Preschool class must be three years of age by September 1st.

Preschool Prep

Preschool Prep is a curriculum-based, therapeutic class designed for children above three years of age. Taught by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) and an Occupational Therapist (OT), this class is also supported by a child psychologist who focuses on building emotional and behavioral regulation skills, as well as social skills. During this class, your child will participate in free play, circle time, art, music, movement, snack, story time, and social-emotional regulation activities. This daily class structure will support your child’s academic readiness skill development, fine motor skill development, and speech and language skill development.

Preschool Plus

Preschool Plus is our most specialized and supportive class designed for children above three years of age who need support with engagement, attention, regulation, learning, and communication skills. Children in the Preschool Plus class also benefit from direct instruction in how to engage and socialize with their peers. Taught by a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) and an Occupational Therapist (OT), Preschool Plus is also supported by a child psychologist who focuses on building emotional and behavioral regulation skills, as well as social skills. During this class, your child will participate in free play, circle time, art, music, movement, snack, story time, and social-emotional regulation activities. This daily class structure will support your child’s academic readiness skill development, fine motor skill development, and speech and language skill development.

play area for the children at Black Bear Academy

Junior Kindergarten

Our Junior Kindergarten classes meet five days per week and prepare four-year-old children for the transition to kindergarten.

Junior Kindergarten

Junior Kindergarten equips children with a solid foundation of knowledge in the key academic areas expected in kindergarten programs. Formal curriculums include reading (Wilson Reading System®), pre-writing (Handwriting Without Tears™ and SQ Write™), and mathematics (Eureka Math®). In this three-hour class, your child will also engage in science and social studies lessons based upon a weekly theme. Five days of attendance per week are required for this program, and we encourage participation in Extended Day. Students in the Junior Kindergarten class must be four years of age by September 1st.

Junior Kindergarten Prep

Junior Kindergarten Prep is a three-hour, therapeutic class designed to prepare children for the transition to kindergarten. The curriculum in this class targets the following skills: attention, emotional and behavioral regulation, social skills, communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, sensory integration skills, and academic readiness in reading, writing, and math. Taught by a  Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) and an Occupational Therapist (OT), JK Prep is also supported by a child psychologist who focuses on building emotional and behavioral regulation skills, as well as social skills. In this class, your child will engage in a small-group experience that promotes the necessary academic and social readiness skills needed for the transition to kindergarten. This class meets five days per week.

Junior Kindergarten Plus

Junior Kindergarten Plus is our most specialized and supportive class designed for children who need support with engagement, attention, emotional and behavioral regulation, communication, fine and gross motor skills, sensory regulation skills, and academic readiness skills as they prepare for the transition to kindergarten. Children in the JK Plus class also benefit from direct instruction in how to engage and socialize with their peers. Taught by a speech and language pathologist (SLP) and an occupational therapist (OT), JK Plus is also supported by a child psychologist who focuses on building emotional and behavioral regulation skills, as well as social skills. During this class, your child will participate in a small-group, daily class structure designed to support your child’s academic readiness skill development, fine motor skill development, and speech and language skill development. This three-hour class meets five days per week.

young boy gluing a piece of paper together

Kindergarten & 1st Grade

Our combined kindergarten and first grade classes meet five days per week and develop children’s foundational knowledge in key academic areas.

K/1

The K/1 class features a traditional, academic curriculum designed to deepen students’ learning in core knowledge areas. Children in this class will also become familiar with pragmatic approaches to problem solving with a continued focus on their social development. Formal curriculums in this class include reading (Wilson Reading System®), handwriting (Handwriting Without Tears™), mathematics (Eureka Math®), and science (FOSS Science®). Students will also engage in writing and social studies lessons based upon a weekly theme. Five full days of attendance per week are required for this program.

K/1 Prep

K/1 Prep is a full-day therapeutic class designed to prepare children for their next academic step. Led by a teacher trained in both elementary education and applied behavior analysis, this class is also supported by a speech and language pathologist (SLP), an occupational therapist (OT), and a child psychologist. The academic curriculum includes multisensory approaches to reading, writing, and mathematics. Students in this class will also engage in science and social studies lessons. While preparing your child for eventual opportunities to push-in, combine, and/or transition to a less supportive environment, K/1 Prep’s comprehensive approach will allow children to transition successfully into a private or public school for first or second grade.

K/1 Plus

K/1 Plus is our most specialized and supportive class designed for children who need support with engagement, attention, emotional and behavioral regulation, communication, fine and gross motor skills, sensory regulation skills, and academic readiness skills as they prepare for the transition to kindergarten. Children in the K/1 Plus class also benefit from direct instruction in how to engage and socialize with their peers. Taught by a speech and language pathologist (SLP) and an occupational therapist (OT), K/1 Plus is also supported by a child psychologist who focuses on building emotional and behavioral regulation skills, as well as social skills. During this class, your child will participate in a small-group, daily class structure designed to support your child’s academic readiness skill development, fine motor skill development, and speech and language skill development.

Academic Support Services

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Educational Consulting

Our educational consultants partner with families to offer guidance in selecting the most appropriate academic setting for your child. After meeting with your family to understand and assess your child’s learning needs, we are available to assist you in each step of the school selection process, from scheduling tours and shadow days to submitting enrollment applications.

Tutoring

We offer tutoring services for students of all ages and ability levels. Our trained tutors will work side-by-side with your child, offering student-centered approaches that will equip them with the tools to succeed in reading and writing, specific subject areas, and executive functioning skill areas such as note-taking, research, and test-taking strategies.

Intensive Reading, Writing, and Math Support

Reading, writing, and mathematics are fundamental to any school curriculum and are key to future success within the classroom and beyond. Our support services utilize well-researched and respected curricular programs to help your child grow and succeed in one or all of these academic skills. For intensive reading and spelling support, your child will engage in a multisensory, research-based curriculum from Wilson Language Training®. SQ Write™ is a comprehensive curriculum that will help build your child’s executive functioning skills as they learn to write effectively. For support in math, your child will receive instruction from the Multisensory Math Program, an evidence-based curriculum that applies tenants of reading instruction to the teaching of math.

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