Felicity School

Felicity School is a non-traditional school environment with open and flexible spaces and a diverse staff that alleviates negative feelings students may associate with a more traditional school setting.

Through integrated vocational programs, experiential learning, individualized programming, technology. mentoring and individual and group counseling, our incredible staff provide students with the resources to develop a sense of self-worth, accept responsibility, and become equipped to make healthy life choices. Our students gain an understanding of ethics and values while developing a strong sense of community.

Our student to staff ratio is a maximum of 10 students working with 2 staff members (one certified teacher and one paraprofessional). Related services staff are available as directed by each student’s Individualized Education Plan. We serve students ages 11 to 21 years old. Our access to a wide variety of activities and experiences creates a unique sense of belonging.

Felicity School has developed a set of core values that embodies our approach to education. We manage our school, students, staff and instruction based on these fundamental beliefs:

• All students can achieve greatness
• Education is a partnership with community, families, school faculty and local businesses
• The most productive environment to learn in is a safe, friendly, positive place.
• Integrating the mind, body and spirit is essential for every student’s development
• Experiential learning is critical for development and growth
• Developing social-emotional skills is crucial for a well-rounded education
• Positive behaviors are best developed with affirming and consistent supports
• We provide individual choices, value independent growth and encourage accountability for both our students and staff
• We value our diverse learners and diversity in our staff
• Academic growth will occur as we utilize data, individualize instruction, teach to strengths, and maintain open communication for areas of improvement

The learning environment should be a joyful place where every person is comfortable, safe, motivated and excited about one’s possibilities. Felicity staff encourage students to bring their individuality to each academic setting and embrace the specialized resources we provide. We believe this is a driving force for creating success and is reflected in our school’s name and daily practice.

Simple: Connect to others and be happy:

Happiness is an important aspect of education, which can be overlooked in mainstream education. The learning environment should be a joyful place where every person is comfortable, safe, motivated, and excited about one’s possibilities. Felicity staff allow students to have the creative freedom to bring their individuality to each academic setting they are in and embrace the specialized resources we provide. Felicity School fundamentally believes this is a driving factor for creating success and has taken on this ideal in name and in practice.

Felicity School is designed to serve students who are eligible for special education services in the categories of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Emotional Disability (ED; i.e. depression), Learning Disability (LD; i.e. dyslexia), and Other Health Impairment (OHI; i.e. post-traumatic stress disorder). Students are typically referred by their school district to one of our staff members to determine eligibility to provide services.

Regardless of the diagnosed eligibility category, students referred to us have externalized behavioral overlays that negatively affect their ability to learn in their home school setting. Anyone from a student’s support system, such as a therapist or family member, is welcome to reach out to Felicity School to ask questions and confirm that Felicity is the best fit. We are located in Deerfield (just off Lake Cook Road and Kates Road) and have the capacity to serve up to 60 students.