Special Education
Merlin Day Academy provides special education instruction tailored to the individual needs of each child. The Merlin Approach to Learning© includes daily educational instruction in literacy, math, science, social studies, and art classes to provide children with a well-rounded education in a supportive environment. Families may privately enroll their children into Merlin Day Academy as a special education private school, or they can be privately placed by the home school district under the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Merlin Day Academy serves students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the following disability categories: Intellectual Disability, Learning Disability, Speech/Language Delay, Other Health Impairment, Emotional Disability, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. The individualized support and learning opportunities we offer are key aspects that remain at the forefront of how Merlin Day Academy impacts students. We meet the diverse and sometimes complex needs of students through our supportive services, academic curriculum, and lesson plans implemented by all service providers in accordance with each student’s IEP.
PEL Social Work
Merlin Day Academy provides school social work from highly trained, licensed Social Workers that have undergone additional training to achieve their Professional Educator License. These knowledgeable and compassionate individuals provide specialized educational instruction and social and emotional support in our classrooms.
The Merlin Approach to Learning© includes a daily Social Work Rotation that pulls from Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curricula such as Zones of Regulation. This effective and therapeutic approach helps children struggling with social skills by encouraging and teaching them how to consider the thoughts and feelings of others and to be aware of their own actions and behaviors in social situations. Although beneficial to all children, this method is especially helpful to those diagnosed with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by building confidence and promoting positive social interactions. Our Social Workers utilize Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and the Intentional Relationship Model in their work with Merlin Day Academy students.
Illinois State Board of Education Licensure
Merlin Day Academy is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and families may privately enroll their children into Merlin Day Academy as a special education private school, or they can be privately placed by the home school district under the child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). We invested in this multi-year process to allow for more equitable access to our innovative services as we believe that every child has the right to learn in the environment that is most supportive to them. Merlin Day Academy serves students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the following disability categories:
- Intellectual Disability
- Learning Disability
- Speech/Language Delay
- Other Health Impairment
- Emotional Disability
- Autism Spectrum Disorder.