What Makes ILA Unique?

Most other private programs for children with special needs are conducted in separate, freestanding buildings where the children are segregated from the mainstream of students. The Inclusive Learning Academy allows students to receive their specialized education without being isolated from their peers. The benefits to our students are tangible and compliant with least restrictive environment. 

The mission of ILA differs from that of most other private schools for children with special needs. The aim of most private schools is to provide a specialized education required for a student to graduate from their institution. By contrast, ILA aims to teach students the necessary learning and behavioral skills to thrive academically and socially in a mainstream environment, with an eye towards the student’s return to their home district. 

It is important to note that a return to district is only one possible goal for our students. 

ILA has enrolled some students for ten months and some students for ten years. Many of our students thrive between an inclusive learning environment and the support our staff offers. All placements are determined, in cooperation with the student’s Child Study Team, based on the needs and performance of the individual.  

ILA is not merely “a school within a school.” Creating inclusive opportunities for our students requires cooperation with the hosting public school district. The host public school districts that ILA deals with demonstrate considerable professionalism and compassion in their willingness to collaborate with our innovative program. 

Our administrative team is largely comprised of formerly public education leaders. It is also common for our teachers, paraprofessionals, and counselors to have experience working in a public school system. Their insight and experience is instrumental in determining policies that will best serve the needs of the school district, as well as the students. 

We do not regard ILA as an alternative, but rather as a supplement to mainstream-public education. Additionally, ILA seeks to combine the best elements of public education with special services and opportunities that are distinctive to a private institution.