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Special-Needs Schools

Hammitt School on Willow

Special-Needs Schools · Normal, 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
Normal, 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
thebabyfold.org

What this special-needs school offers

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

The Baby Fold is a faith-based multi-service child welfare agency founded in 1902 in Normal, Illinois, serving over 1,200 children annually through early childhood services, intervention and foster care programs, special education (Hammitt Schools), and post-adoption services. It reflects Christian principles and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church tradition.

Leadership
Rev. Dr. Kent King-Nobles — Board Chair
Populations served
Students with autism spectrum disorder Students with communication disorders Students with emotional and behavioral disorders Students with history of verbal or physical aggression Children and families in Central Illinois Foster youth Adoptive families Infants and young children
Setting
Day
Ages
K–21 (school programs); birth through young adulthood (agency-wide)
Grades
K–12 and post-secondary transition (K–21)
On-site therapies
Speech-language therapy Occupational therapy School psychology Individual counseling Group counseling Social work services Crisis intervention Family advocacy
Services
Hammitt Schools (special education, two locations) Healthy Start Caregiver Connections Intact Family Services Foster Care Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) Adoption Support and Preservation Adoption Record Search and Support Respite Care Training and Consultation Services Community Schools
Programs
STRIVE (autism/communication disorders, structured therapeutic program) Connections (middle-ground academics, social skills, emotional regulation, pre-vocational) Vocational/work-study program (Hammitt on Oglesby) Community-based career exploration Healthy Families Illinois Post-Adoption Services
Founded
1902
Accreditations & approvals
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved non-public special education school AdvancED accredited Council on Accreditation EAGLE Commission, Methodist Ministries Network Licensed by Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Contracted with Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Healthy Families Illinois
Tuition & funding
Students placed through their local public school district IEP process; no direct tuition stated — district-funded placement.
Phone
309-452-1170
Highlights
Serving children and families since 1902; serves over 1,200 children annually across Normal, Urbana, and Springfield, Illinois.
Approach
Highly structured, positive learning environment with trauma-informed practices; instruction based on each child's individual learning style and unique emotional needs, with small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios.
Admissions
Students are referred through their local public school district IEP team; students remain legal students of their home district.

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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.