WELCOME TO ReCONNECT ACADEMY
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ReConnect Academy is a small, supportive school program where students can reconnect with learning, strengthen confidence, and continue building toward their future.
Students are surrounded by caring staff, consistent routines, and individualized support that help them stay engaged academically while developing important skills for school, future careers, and everyday life. At ReConnect Academy, the focus is on helping students move forward with confidence, direction, and a stronger sense of possibility for what comes next. |
THE ReCONNECT ACADEMY APPROACH
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ReConnect Academy is designed to help students build the habits, skills, and mindset needed to succeed both in and outside of the classroom with a clear plan for what comes next. Students learn in a structured environment where expectations are clear, support is consistent, and growth is encouraged every day. Our team works closely with each student to strengthen communication skills, develop self-awareness, navigate relationships, and make positive decisions with greater confidence and independence.
A key part of our approach is helping every student create an individual career plan. Each student identifies a postsecondary goal whether that is a career path, trade, college, or other next step after high school. From there, we work backwards together, building a clear, step-by-step plan that connects daily effort in school to their long-term goals. This helps students see the purpose behind their work and stay motivated as they move forward. Through restorative practices, reflection, and individualized support including access to social work services students are encouraged to learn from their experiences, strengthen resilience, and continue building toward their future with confidence. |
ReCONNECT ACADEMY FOCUS AREAS
Building communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
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Creating consistent routines that help students stay engaged and successful
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Encouraging self-awareness, responsibility, and independence
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Helping students navigate relationships and everyday challenges in a positive way
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Supporting academic progress while guiding students through an individual career plan, starting with a postsecondary goal and building a clear path to achieve it
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Through restorative practices, reflection, and individualized support, students are encouraged to continue learning, growing, and moving forward with purpose.
THE ReCONNECT ACADEMY STUDENT EXPERIENCE
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At ReConnect Academy, students learn in a smaller, more focused environment where they receive individualized attention, build meaningful connections with staff, and stay engaged in both their academic and personal growth.
This setting allows students to be truly known and supported, creating a foundation where they can rebuild confidence, stay accountable, and make consistent progress. Students experience a thoughtful balance of academics, future planning, and real-world skill development. Through this approach, they not only stay on track toward graduation, but also gain clarity about what comes next developing the skills, direction, and independence needed to succeed in future careers and in life. |
WHAT YOUR CHILD CAN EXPECT
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Students continue working toward graduation through academic instruction aligned with their home school district requirements. Smaller class sizes and individualized support allow staff to better understand how each student learns and provide guidance that helps students stay engaged, organized, and progressing academically. Our team works closely with students to strengthen consistency, build positive academic habits, and help students continue moving toward their long-term educational goals. Students benefit from a predictable daily environment with clear expectations, consistent routines, and ongoing support throughout the school day. This structure helps students build positive habits related to organization, communication, time management, responsibility, and independence. Staff provide regular encouragement, guidance, and accountability while helping students develop the consistency and self-management skills needed for success both in school and beyond. Students work closely with caring staff who provide consistent guidance, encouragement, and individualized support throughout the school day. Staff take time to understand each student’s strengths, interests, personality, and goals in order to build meaningful relationships and create a supportive learning environment. Through these daily interactions, students are encouraged to strengthen confidence, improve communication skills, navigate social situations positively, and continue developing greater independence and self-awareness. ReConnect Academy helps students strengthen practical life and interpersonal skills that support success in school, future careers, and everyday life. Students are encouraged to develop communication, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, and self-management skills through ongoing guidance, reflection, and real-world application. Our approach focuses on helping students build the tools needed to navigate responsibilities, relationships, and future opportunities with greater confidence and maturity. Future planning at ReConnect Academy is centered on helping students better understand their strengths, goals, interests, and the opportunities available to them after high school. Staff work closely with each student to identify where they are currently, what support or experiences may help them continue growing, and how to begin building a clearer direction for the future. Career planning is integrated throughout the student experience and focuses on helping students explore potential career paths, identify personal strengths and interests, and better understand the skills and experiences connected to future opportunities. Students are encouraged to begin thinking about both short-term goals and long-term possibilities as they continue preparing for adulthood. As students progress through the program, they are introduced to opportunities that help connect their interests and abilities to real-world experiences, future education pathways, employment opportunities, and long-term goals. This may include community-based learning opportunities, workplace readiness experiences, mentorship, and individualized planning support. Throughout the process, students continue developing the communication, responsibility, independence, and decision-making skills needed to navigate future academic, workplace, and life opportunities with greater confidence and direction. Language support services are available for students who benefit from ESL support. Staff work closely with students to help strengthen communication and language development skills while ensuring students remain engaged and supported academically throughout their educational experience. |
ReCONNECT STUDENT OUTCOMES & NEXT STEPS
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The goal of ReConnect Academy is to help students leave with more than completed coursework. We want every student to leave with a clear sense of direction, a defined plan, and confidence in what comes next.
At ReConnect Academy, success is not defined by a single outcome, it is defined by progress toward a meaningful future. Through each student’s individual career plan, they identify a postsecondary goal and begin to see a clear path forward. This gives students a stronger sense of purpose, helping them stay engaged and motivated as they work toward something they can clearly envision. For some students, success may mean returning to their home school with greater consistency, focus, and confidence. For others, it may mean continuing toward graduation, exploring career pathways, preparing for employment opportunities, or building a stronger foundation for adulthood and independence. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to better understand their strengths, expand what they believe is possible for their future, and continue building the skills, experiences, and habits that support long-term success. By connecting daily effort to a larger goal, students begin to take greater ownership of their progress and their future. |
NEXT STEPS MAY INCLUDE
Transitioning back to their home school environment with a stronger plan and renewed confidence
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Continuing progress toward graduation and diploma completion
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Exploring college, workforce, trade, or career pathway opportunities aligned to their goals
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Connecting with community resources and future support services
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Building greater independence, responsibility, and readiness for life after high school
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Every student’s path forward is different. Our role is to help each student create a clear vision for their future and take meaningful steps toward it so they leave ReConnect Academy prepared, motivated, and moving forward with purpose.
A TYPICAL DAY AT ReCONNECT ACADEMY
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Students attend either a morning or afternoon session designed to help them continue making academic progress while building the routines, responsibilities, and practical skills that support long-term success.
Each day is intentionally structured to create consistency while also helping students connect what they are doing now to where they want to go next. Through a smaller, more focused environment, students strengthen organization, communication, future planning, and day-to-day decision-making skills that directly support their individual career plan and long-term goals. Students begin to see how daily habits, effort, and progress connect to a clearer future, helping build motivation, accountability, and a stronger sense of purpose. |
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PROGRAM HOURS:
School Hours: 8:00a.m. - 3:30p.m. Student Hours*:
*Students come to ReConnect Academy for 3 hours each day during either the morning session or the afternoon session. |
A TYPICAL DAY MAY INCLUDE:
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ReCONNECTING WITH OPPORTUNITY
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ReConnect Academy may provide students with opportunities to participate in supervised community-based learning experiences, including volunteer opportunities, job exploration, vocational skill development, and community work experiences when appropriate.
These experiences are designed to help students connect their interests and career goals to real-world opportunities, while strengthening independence, confidence, communication skills, and overall readiness for life after high school. Students may receive academic and/or elective credit for approved work-based learning experiences in coordination with their home school district, when applicable. Participation in these experiences is individualized based on each student’s readiness, goals, supervision needs, and district approval. |
In addition to classroom instruction, students may participate in therapeutic supports, social-emotional learning, transition planning, and experiential learning opportunities throughout the day. These supports are designed to keep students engaged, help them continue growing, and ensure they are making steady progress toward a clear and meaningful future.
ReCONNECTING WITH FAMILIES
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Student success is strongest when schools and families work together. At ReConnect Academy, we believe that strong, consistent relationships and natural supports play a critical role in helping students move forward successfully, both in school and beyond.
Our approach prioritizes collaboration with families to strengthen the support systems that already exist around each student. By building on these natural connections (family, trusted adults, and community supports) we help create a stable, consistent foundation that encourages growth, accountability, and positive decision-making. Our team works closely with families to ensure there is alignment, open communication, and shared understanding of each student’s needs and progress. When students experience consistency between home and school, they are more likely to stay engaged, build confidence, and continue making meaningful progress. Families are encouraged to stay actively involved throughout the student experience, and we strive to create an environment where communication remains open, supportive, and solution-oriented. Together, we focus on reinforcing the relationships and support systems that help students grow and succeed over time. |
ReCONNECT FAMILIES CAN EXPECT
Regular communication and student updates, keeping families informed and connected
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A consistent point of contact for questions, guidance, or support
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Collaboration centered on student growth, progress, and overall well-being
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Ongoing partnership between staff, families, and home school districts
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A team-focused approach that strengthens natural supports and helps students continue moving forward successfully
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ReCONNECT ACADEMY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
See below for some of the most common questions we received from parents of ReConnect students.
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Yes. Students continue working toward graduation requirements through academic instruction aligned with their home school district. Our goal is to help students stay engaged, rebuild consistency, and make steady, meaningful progress toward credit completion and graduation. The length of time varies based on each student’s individual needs and progress. Our team works closely with families and home school districts to monitor growth, provide ongoing support, and determine the right next steps as students continue moving forward. For many students, returning to their home school is an important goal. ReConnect Academy works closely with students, families, and districts to help prepare for successful transitions when students are ready, ensuring they return with greater confidence, consistency, and readiness. Students participate in a structured daily schedule that includes academic instruction, individualized support, life skill development, and opportunities for reflection and growth. The day is designed to create consistency while helping students stay engaged and continue making progress. ReConnect Academy provides a smaller, more personalized environment where students are known, supported, and held accountable. In addition to academics, there is a strong focus on responsibility, independence, and real-world readiness, helping students build a stronger foundation for long-term success. Transportation is coordinated through the student’s home school district. In some cases, districts may partner with ReConnect Academy’s transportation providers to support student needs. If your child will be absent, arriving late, or needs early dismissal, families should contact the main office at (630) 822-8085. Attendance updates are shared regularly with the home school district to ensure continuity and support. In addition to academics, students develop important life and interpersonal skills such as communication, organization, decision-making, problem-solving, and self-management. These skills help students succeed in school, navigate everyday challenges, and prepare for future opportunities. Students should wear comfortable clothing appropriate for a respectful school environment and daily activities. Safe footwear is required. Our team works with students and families to help ensure students feel prepared and comfortable throughout the day. Families can expect regular communication through phone calls, emails, meetings, and progress updates. We believe strong communication and partnership with families are key to helping students stay on track and continue moving forward successfully. |
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
We have answers! We are more than happy to connect with parents on a variety of topics. Get in touch to learn more.
ReCONNECT ACADEMY LEADERSHIP & STAFF
Our staff is committed to helping students stay engaged, continue making progress, and build positive momentum for the future. Students are supported by a collaborative team that creates a structured, encouraging, and student-centered environment each day.
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Our team is focused on building strong relationships and supporting each student’s growth.
ReCONNECT GRAND OPENING
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
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VISIT & LEARN MORE
We welcome the opportunity to connect with you and answer any questions.
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If your child is being considered for ReConnect Academy, we are here to help you understand the program and feel confident in the next step. Please fill out the form or contact Heather for more information!
HEATHER BRUEN
President, The Connect Academy P: 312-519-4581 E: [email protected] ReCONNECT ACADEMY INFORMATION
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