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Special-Needs Schools

Guiding Light West

Special-Needs Schools · Shorewood, IL
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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
Shorewood, 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
guidinglightacademy.org

What this special-needs school offers

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

Guiding Light Academy is a non-public, ISBE-approved therapeutic day program in the Chicagoland area serving students in grades K–12 with autism and other developmental disabilities. The school uses evidence-based methodologies to support individualized academic and therapeutic goals.

Leadership
LaKisha Thigpen — Principal (Central)
Michael Otte — Principal (Shorewood)
Michael Smith Jr. — Principal (Academy)
Staff
Tabria Hill — Program Coordinator
Kendra James — Assistant Program Coordinator
Mary Orloff — Business Manager
Deven Cortese — Education Coordinator
Dorothy Edler — Clinical Coordinator
Populations served
Autism Spectrum Disorder Intellectual Disability Other Health Impairment (OHI) Developmental Delay
Setting
Day
Ages
5-21
Grades
K-12
On-site therapies
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Speech-Language Therapy Occupational Therapy Individual Therapy Milieu Therapy Behavioral Therapy
Services
Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) 1:1 support Parental involvement program Proactive behavior intervention
Programs
Therapeutic Day Program K-8 Central Program Academy (High School Program)
Founded
2014
Accreditations & approvals
ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) approved
Phone
(630) 739-7500
Highlights
Operates three Chicagoland locations (Woodridge Academy/High School, Woodridge Central K-8, and Shorewood West); officially opened June 17, 2014; maintains at least one classroom assistant per ten students.
Approach
Evidence-based methodologies including TEACCH, Natural Environment Teaching, Direct Instruction, and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), with an emphasis on creating life-long learners who develop self-regulation.
Admissions
Accepts referrals from Chicagoland school districts for students grades K–12 with qualifying primary diagnoses; tours available Monday–Friday during the school year upon request.

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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

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