Empowering Students for Success - in school, at home and in the community.
Youth who participate in our CIRCLE Academy Education Programs in Urbana (70 students) and Rossville (37 students) live with their families in surrounding communities. They have unique behavioral and emotional challenges which have prevented them from being successful in a public school environment. Our therapeutic education model identifies the individual needs and strengths of each student and builds on those strengths, both academically and behaviorally.
Beginning with admission, our program model engages youth and families to determine what it will take for a student to enter back into the public school setting. Our model is designed to identify the individual needs and strengths of each student. Our staff then works to build on those strengths. We continue to identify ways to better incorporate academic/curriculum foundations and address internal and/or external behaviors. Building a strong, collaborative partnership with family member’s helps to get students back to their home school in a more expedient manner.
CIRCLE Academy-Urbana 2023-2024 School Calendar
CIRCLE Academy-Vermilion 2023-2024 School Calendar
CIRCLE offers our students:
- Individualized Special Education Programming
- Small class sizes (average 2:7 ratio)
- Individual and Group Therapeutic Counseling
- Therapeutic Behavior Intervention Programming
- Vocational Training Opportunities
To be considered for enrollment, students must be eligible to receive special education services in one of the disability categories for which CIRCLE Academy has been approved by the Illinois State Board of Education including:
- Emotional Disability (ED)
- Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
- Intellectual Disability (ID)
- Other Health Impairment (OHI)
- Autism
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Developmental Delay (DD)
In most cases, the primary disability is Emotional Disability. The student may have other disabilities which are secondary.
Specialized Programs Offered:
Autism Services:
- Currently serving students with SPED label of Autism as well as students with medical diagnosis of PDD
- Classroom placements based upon grade and ability levels
- Placed with students who primarily present with internalizing behaviors
Bridge to Independence Program:
- Serving students ages 18-21
- Bridge students are given individualized opportunities to earn the credits for graduation
- Youth are challenged with practical and relevant life/social skills activities
- Students are expected to obtain and maintain employment
- Participation in vocational training opportunities is required
- “Bridge Entrepreneurial Projects” provide additional opportunities
K - 12 students:
- Classrooms are highly structured and predictable
- Differentiated instruction and formative assessments are used
- Students are challenged with high- interest materials and encouraged to demonstrate acquisition of knowledge/skills through creative and traditional modalities
Vocational Services:
- 50-60% of student population receives vocational services
- Services include career exploration, resume development, skills training, and hands-on work experiences
- CIRCLE funding is augmented through Workforce Investment Act (WIA) grants and United Way of Champaign County
Our Mission
CIRCLE Academy strives to prepare each student for successful experiences in school and throughout their lives by providing a structured, nurturing environment that emphasizes family involvement. The program seeks to enable students to develop in the four principals of the Circle of Courage: Belonging, Independence, Generosity, and Mastery, such that they experience success in school, at home, and in the community.
Our Vision
CIRCLE Academy… Empowering Students for Success in School, at Home, and in the Community.
For more information about CIRCLE Academy Urbana, please contact Linda Fox at 217.367.6923 or CIRCLE Academy Vermilion, please call 217.769.0030 or click here to send us an email.
CIRCLE Academy has a diverse student body and has a non-discriminatory policy as to students. This educational program does not discriminate against students who are referred to CIRCLE Academy on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. CIRCLE accepts students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at CIRCLE. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, ancestry, gender, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation in administering its educational policies, admission policies, athletic and other school-administered programs.