One team. One plan. One child.
A day school for 18 months through 1st grade. Therapy, testing, and coaching for kids and teens, ages 18 months to 18, who need a more individualized approach.
Small classes of 5 to 7 children
Ratios as low as 2:1
Therapy-informed academics
Located in North Center, Chicago
What brings you here today?
The school
A small, structured day school with real academics for children 18 months through 1st grade. Therapy is woven into the day when a child needs it, and available as a standalone service when they do not.
Explore the school →Therapy and services
Occupational therapy, speech, feeding, applied behavior analysis (ABA), and Social, Emotional and Behavioral Therapy. Enrollment in our school is not required. In network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and UnitedHealthcare through Northwestern.
Explore therapy and services →Evaluations
Autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), neuropsychological, and academic evaluations, plus learning disorder screenings and second opinions. Usually scheduled within about two weeks, and every evaluation ends with a results conference.
Explore evaluations →Parent and caregiver support
Parent and caregiver coaching, Conscious Discipline® training, and help navigating a 504 plan or an individualized education program (IEP). Open to every family, whether or not your child attends our school.
Explore parent support →Summer programming
Academics in the morning, therapy and enrichment in the afternoon. For ages 18 months through 1st grade. Optional therapy services, often billed to insurance.
Explore summer programming →For professionals
For pediatricians, therapists, schools, and consultants. Refer a family for school and therapy together, or a comprehensive evaluation.
Refer a family →Not sure where to start?
That is common here. Tell us what you are seeing at home or at school, and we will point you to the right first step.
Ask us where to start →Why do families choose Black Bear Academy?
Black Bear Academy brings together real academics, therapy inside the school day, small classes, and a clinical team led by a doctor of psychology (PsyD).
Real academics, not just therapy
Academics are part of every school day. Fundations® is at the core of our structured reading program, with Wilson Reading System® intervention strategies embedded, and Everyday Mathematics® anchors math. Progress is tracked every quarter.
Real clinical depth
Clinically led by a doctor of psychology (PsyD). Wilson Reading System® trained teachers, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) experience, and a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) on the team. Specialist-level, not a general aide.
Therapy inside the school day
Therapy happens in the classroom and one-on-one during the school day, with teachers and therapists working from one shared plan for your child.
Small classes, low ratios
Classes are generally five to seven children, with ratios as low as 2:1 or 3:1, so every child is known well and supported through the day.
What does one team around your child look like?
In the school, families often arrive after years of stitching together a classroom here, a speech clinic there, and occupational therapy across town, then carrying notes between all of them. At Black Bear Academy, the lead teacher and the licensed therapists are in the same room, the same day, working from one shared plan for your child.
One classroom. One team. One plan for your child, every day.
Black Bear Academy runs a full-inclusion classroom model, where therapy, academics, and social-emotional learning happen in the same room, with the same team.
Why families trust us
Our 2025–2026 parent and caregiver survey went to every family enrolled that school year. Every family who answered the school-year experience question rated it a 4 or 5 out of 5, for an average of 4.8. Most surveyed families found us through referral and word of mouth. Black Bear Academy has served Chicago families since 2003.
My son came to Black Bear Academy after a major surgery. In almost two years, with weekly one-on-one occupational therapy (OT), speech, and mental health support, he has grown more than I imagined, and he loves going. Every staff member knows him by name, adjusts to how he learns, and leans into what he loves. They are always there for our questions too.
Black Bear Academy parent
We've loved our experience at BBA, a strong mix of high academic expectations and intentional social-emotional support. Our only regret is that we didn't come sooner.
John D., Black Bear Academy parent
I truly cannot tell you how grateful my husband and I are that we found Black Bear Academy. It has been nothing short of life changing. Every teacher and therapist we have worked with has been so incredible: positive, uplifting, knowledgeable and caring.
Black Bear Academy parent
What happens when one question leads to another?
A child can move from a question to an evaluation, a plan, and support from a connected team. Black Bear Academy and the Center for Comprehensive Neurobehavioral Care (CCNC) are sister organizations, both owned and led by Dr. Lori G. Tall, PsyD. The school is where children learn and receive therapy inside the day. The Center is a neuropsychology practice for evaluations and care, open to any child. For older students, the same connected path continues at Black Bear Elementary.
Learn more about the Center at ccncchicago.com →
A question
Something feels off, or a diagnosis raises new questions.
An evaluation
Usually scheduled within about two weeks, ending with a results conference.
A plan
Clear next steps you can actually use, at home and at school.
Support that follows through
Therapy, school, or coaching, connected to the same plan.
Therapy that fits your child, often billed to insurance
For enrolled students, therapy happens inside the school day. For families who come to the clinic, enrollment in our school is not required. Either way, when insurance covers it, therapy is billed to the plan, and so are evaluations. Day school tuition is separate from insurance.
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and UnitedHealthcare through Northwestern. Cigna PPO for testing only, through the Center for Comprehensive Neurobehavioral Care (CCNC).
May apply. We provide a master bill you can submit to insurance, a flexible spending account (FSA), or a health savings account (HSA), and some costs may count as medical expenses on your taxes.
We help you confirm coverage before anything begins. Coverage varies by plan.
Coverage varies by plan. We confirm yours at intake.
A calm, evidence-based approach: Conscious Discipline®
Black Bear Academy runs on Conscious Discipline®, a brain-state model rated SELect, the highest evidence tier from CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning). Every team member is trained in it, and we extend it to parents and caregivers.
Highest evidence tier
Rated SELect, the top evidence tier from CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning).
Whole-team trained
Every team member is trained in Conscious Discipline®, from teachers to therapists.
Parents included
The same approach is taught to parents and caregivers, so home and school match.
Visit us in North Center
1801 W Byron St, Chicago, IL 60613
In Chicago's North Center, near Lakeview. A few blocks from the Brown Line at Irving Park.
The best way to understand the Black Bear Academy model is to walk the building, see a classroom, and meet the team.
Whether it's school, therapy, or just a question, we have a path for you
Book a tour, request a service, or start with a short call. A team member will follow up soon.
Start an inquiry