Therapeutic Day School & Yeshiva
The Therapeutic Day School is designed to meet the needs of students with behavioral and emotional disorders and attempts to provide an atmosphere that helps to alleviate these behaviors. Many students, who have adjusted poorly within the traditional education setting and the community at large, feel grateful to finally be understood by their teachers. “I get the sense that people care,” one student relays. “The teachers are relaxed and flexible and everyone finally really listens to me.”
In its attempt to address the emotional and behavioral issues of the students, the program offers individual and group therapy, as well as individualized and small group special education services. The school operates on the principle that a therapeutic environment for students with emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities requires meaningful participation from parents, mental health professionals, the community and the students themselves.
To further tailor fit each student’s individual needs, the low staff-to-student ratio allows for the delivery of a comprehensive, individualized educational program. Faculty members include special education teachers, social workers, an art instructor, a gym instructor, a drama teacher, an assistant principal, a principal and a rabbi. The general curriculum is provided and approved by the local school district with the flexibility that allows for adaptation to meet each student’s academic strengths and weaknesses, in addition to his or her unique learning style. If students are enrolled in the Yeshiva program, they will attend Yeshiva classes in addition to their secular education program.
The Therapeutic Day School is accredited and licensed by the North Central Association and the Illinois State Board of Education. In addition to working with the Chicago Public Schools, the School works in conjunction with many suburban school districts from the North Shore, Lake County and the Western suburbs.
WE PROVIDE
Therapeutic Yeshiva Program
The JCFS Yeshiva Program serves Jewish children with emotional disorders who are interested in participating in Jewish studies. The program meets requirements for general secular studies and includes instruction in Hebrew language, Torah, Prophets, Jewish Law, and Mishnah/Talmud. A dedicated faculty provides an individualized program of study.
When appropriate, students can take classes from other Jewish schools as part of their academic program. To broaden their social and Jewish involvements, we seek volunteer opportunities in the community as well as celebrations at other Jewish schools.
The Yeshiva Program helps its students succeed academically and emotionally as individuals and as members of the Jewish community. Our former students have successfully transitioned to other school programs and have gone on to receive degrees from undergraduate and graduate universities, professional schools, and Jewish studies programs in Israel.
The Yeshiva Day School accepts tuitioned students from local school districts. Students may be referred directly to the JCFS Yeshiva Program by Jewish day and high schools including those affiliated with ATT, The Virginia Frank Child Development Center, public school districts, parents, Rabbis, and other involved professionals. If a child’s parents have made a good-faith effort to complete the tuitioning process and the student has nevertheless not been tuitioned, they are encouraged to call the Yeshiva Program about possible placement.
THE YESHIVA PROVIDES
• Beit Midrash for morning and afternoon prayer and study
• Special Jewish holiday celebrations and commemorations
• Optional weekly after-school Mishmar study
The JCFS Theatre Company
Since February 1993, the JCFS Theatre Company has produced 15 productions and has been invited to two Illinois High School Theatre Festivals (1994, 1999). A few of the productions include Moliere's "The Imaginary Invalid," Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple,” Christopher Durang's "The Actor's Nightmare” and Leonard Gershe's "Butterflies Are Free.” As of 2001, sixty students have participated in the drama club.
