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Special-Needs Schools

Cunningham-Circle Academy

Special-Needs Schools · Urbana, IL
Compiled from public sourcesProgram

About

Compiled from public web sources — unverified until claimed; please confirm details directly with the provider.

Focus
Day School Autism Developmental Delay Emotional Disability Intellectual Disability Other Health Impairment S/L Specific Learning Disability
Area
Urbana, IL
Description
ISBE-approved nonpublic special-education facility (day school), serving students with autism, developmental delay, emotional disability, intellectual disability, other health impairment, s/l. Illinois districts can place and fund students here under Section 14-7.02.
Website
cunninghamhome.org

What this special-needs school offers

Summarized from their website — verify details directly with the special-needs school.

CIRCLE Academy is a special education day treatment program operated by Cunningham Children's Home, serving students with approved disability categories referred by local school districts at two Illinois locations (Urbana and Rossville/Vermilion). The program combines individualized academic instruction with therapeutic counseling and behavioral support, guided by the Circle of Courage principles.

Leadership
Marlin Livingston — President / Chief Executive Officer
Pat Ege — Vice President of Program Services
Tony Wilson — Director of Residential and Clinical Services
Melissa Harden — Chief Financial Officer
Ann Pearcy — Director of Community-Based Services
Paige Hall — Director of Human Resources
Mark McCusker — Director of Education
Ginger Mills — Director of Advancement
Shawn Peterson — Director of Quality Improvement
Sharon Brown — Board President
Staff
Catherine Nickrent — Board Treasurer
Doug Abbott — Board Secretary
Populations served
Emotional Disability (ED) Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Intellectual Disability (ID) Other Health Impairment (OHI) Autism Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Developmental Delay (DD)
Setting
Day
Ages
5–21
Grades
K–12 (plus transition age 18–21)
On-site therapies
Individual therapeutic counseling Group therapeutic counseling Therapeutic behavior intervention Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Structured TEACCH (autism services)
Services
Individualized special education programming Small class instruction (2:7 student-to-teacher ratio) Vocational training Bridge to Independence Program (ages 18–21) Family involvement programming
Programs
CIRCLE Academy Urbana CIRCLE Academy Vermilion (Rossville) Bridge to Independence Program
Accreditations & approvals
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved EAGLE Accreditation (United Methodist Association) Illinois Department of Human Services licensed Illinois Department of Children and Family Services licensed Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services licensed
Phone
(217) 367-6923
Highlights
Cunningham Children's Home serves over 953 children, youth, young adults, and families annually; CIRCLE Academy Urbana capacity is 70 students and Vermilion capacity is 55 students; 50–60% of students participate in vocational services.
Approach
Empowering Students for Success – in school, at home and in the community; grounded in Circle of Courage principles: Belonging, Independence, Generosity, and Mastery.
Admissions
Students are referred by local school districts based on special education eligibility in approved disability categories.

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What to look for in a special-needs school

  • Population served (autism, emotional/behavioral, learning differences) and the age/grade range
  • Whether it's an ISBE-approved nonpublic facility — districts can place and fund students there
  • On-site therapies (OT/PT/speech/behavioral)
  • Day vs. residential
  • How transitions back to public school work

Want to rate your public school or district on special education instead? See the school & district scorecards.