Joseph academy

  Michael Schack Executive Director


Excellence in Special Education


“We are regarded as the 'go-to' school by Lake, Cook and DuPage Counties.  We are the specialist”.

          - Michael Schack, Executive Director

See our article in the Des Plaines Times!

About Us

Joseph Academy is a school serving the needs of young people with severe behavioral, emotional, and learning disabilities. Our program strives to give hope to our students to become successful in their learning environment.

Joseph Academy provides an environment that is both nurturing and challenging.  We seek to build students’ self-esteem and productivity through a therapeutic program in which staff members constantly express respect and affection for them.

 

Upcoming Events:

Summer Break                                        June 20 - July 7

Summer School Begins                                         July 8

23rd Annual Golf Outing                                                     Ridgemoor Country Club                                      August 3

Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School             August 18

Staff Inservice - No School                                  August 19

Fall Semester Begins Tuesday, September 8th

2008-2009 ISBE School Calendar

CHECK OUT OUR:

SPRING NEWSLETTER 2009

Check out our Comcast Cable interview with Illinois Senator Dan Cronin from October 30, 2008 

Part I

Part II

Part III

 

Pennies for Paris

When Ralph Strickland's (veteran staff person) daughter Paris was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at one week old, the entire Joseph Academy family rallied together to aid in the expensive and overwhelming medical costs. 

However, the greatest feat of all was accomplished by the Joseph Academy students.  This spring the kids at Joseph Academy's Des Plaines campus raised $631.81 in Pennies for Paris.  The main prize was the chance to toss a pie into a staff person's face!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The History of a "School of Hope"

Michael Schack’s passion for helping   children is what prompted him to open  Joseph Academy in 1983. He and his staff are dedicated to recognizing the value in young people who often come from troubled environments or who have been marginalized or neglected most of their lives.  The ultimate goal is to transform these young people into achievers who can effectively reenter the mainstream.  The Joseph Academy staff are trained to "catch kids being good" and affirm their self worth through constant interaction.