Program Spotlight: Connect Academy’s Therapeutic Day Programs

At Connect Academy, we are committed to serving students with diverse learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. Our therapeutic day programs provide structured, individualized support to help students build the skills they need to succeed academically and emotionally.

With three specialized programs—Connect Academy Main (Grades 3-8), Connect Academy East (Grades K-2), and Connect Academy Early Childhood (Pre-K-K)—we meet students where they are and create nurturing, inclusive learning environments tailored to their unique needs.

Connect Academy Main (Grades 3-8)
Location: 1514 S. Main Street, Door 15, Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: (630) 822-8085 Ext. 1
Site Administrator: Mollie Marshall

Connect Academy Main provides a structured, supportive environment for students in grades 3-8 who need individualized education and therapeutic interventions. Our program focuses on academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and behavioral support, helping students overcome challenges and build confidence.

Key Features:

• Small Class Sizes – Maximum of 10 students per class with 1.5 teachers and 1.5 paraprofessionals for individualized attention.
• Academic Excellence – Research-based ELA and Math curriculum aligned with Illinois Common Core Standards.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) – Daily instruction using AIM (Accept, Identify, Move), a program integrating mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
• Therapeutic Approaches – Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Physical Education to support emotional expression and well-being.
• Collaborative Environment – Partnerships with families, school districts, and therapists ensure a seamless support system.

"The 'C' in 'Connect' in my eyes stands for two things—Collaboration and Community. Never have I worked at a place where I feel so valued, appreciated, and respected by colleagues and admin. The potential and hunger for success these scholars have is absolutely superb. With high expectations, hands-on learning, and unconditional compassion, our students will continue to SOAR!"
– Brandon A., Classroom Teacher

Connect Academy East (Grades K-2)
Location: 1464 S. Main Street, Door 7, Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: (630) 822-8085 Ext. 2
Site Administrator: Peggy McDermott

For students in kindergarten through second grade, Connect Academy East provides a safe, structured environment where they can develop essential academic, social, and emotional skills. Our program is designed to help young learners build a strong foundation for future success.

Key Features:

• Small Class Sizes – No more than 10 students per class, with teachers and paraprofessionals providing individualized support.
• Academic Program – Research-based ELA and Math curriculum aligned with Illinois Common Core Standards.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) – AIM (Accept, Identify, Move) curriculum, blending Mindfulness, ACT, and ABA techniques to teach emotional regulation and social skills.
• Therapeutic Supports – Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Physical Education to enhance learning and emotional well-being.

"At Connect Academy, we focus on building strong relationships with our students and their families. We meet each student where they are to help them reach goals both emotionally and academically."
– Peggy M., Site Administrator

Connect Academy Early Childhood (Pre-K - K)
Location: 1519 S. Grace Street, Door 9, Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: (630) 822-8085 Ext. 3
Site Administrator: Jessica Burkoth

Connect Academy Early Childhood provides therapeutic preschool and kindergarten programs for young learners with developmental, social, and emotional needs. Our program follows a play-based, research-driven approach that fosters early learning and self-regulation skills.

Key Features:

• Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum – Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum for Preschool, aligned with the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards.
• Small Class Sizes – Maximum of 10 students per class, with a 1.5 teacher-to-student ratio for personalized instruction.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) – Al’s Pals curriculum, teaching young children emotional regulation, problem-solving, and healthy decision-making through interactive puppet-led lessons.
• Therapeutic Approaches – Music Therapy and Art Therapy to support emotional expression, communication, and motor skill development.

Why Choose Connect Academy?
At Connect Academy, we believe that every child deserves a supportive learning environment tailored to their needs. Across all three programs, we emphasize individualized instruction, with small class sizes and personalized learning plans that help students thrive. Therapeutic support is integrated into daily learning, providing behavioral, social-emotional, and therapeutic interventions to ensure a well-rounded education. Collaboration with families and districts is a key component, as we work closely with parents, caregivers, and school districts to align goals and strategies for each student. Ultimately, our programs create a pathway to success, whether students transition back to their home district or continue with us, leaving with greater confidence, essential skills, and emotional resilience.

Learn More & Start the Referral Process
If you are a parent, educator, or district representative looking for a specialized therapeutic day program, we invite you to explore how Connect Academy can support your student. Check out our Referrals Page for more information on the application process.

We look forward to partnering with families and districts to provide a nurturing and supportive learning environment for every student!