Central School Programs 

355 East Chicago St.
Elgin, IL 60123

Phone Number: (847) 888-5000 Ext. 5340

Mission Statement

Central School Programs provides a therapeutic environment in which students gain the skills to become a successful adult in, but not limited to the following areas: independent living, college readiness, career readiness, and social/emotional functionality. Our mission is to develop respectful, responsible, and active citizens in his/her respective communities.

Description of the school

Central School Programs (CSP) is a public day school designed to meet the needs of junior high and high school students who have been identified as eligible to receive special education services and require more structure and support than the mainstream school can provide. This alternative educational site provides students with a smaller environment in which to succeed academically, and the opportunity for students to learn and practice appropriate social skills in a safe, therapeutic setting. Throughout the school day, students are encouraged to use appropriate social skills and coping strategies through the highly interactive nature of instruction. Immediate feedback is offered to the students through the use of a behavior management system that empowers students to assume responsibility for managing their own behaviors. The program is structured in such a way that, through the participation in monthly field trips and an alternative sports league, the students are afforded the opportunity to generalize the social skills taught and reinforced daily in a variety of settings.

Students at CSP are provided assistance from many related service personnel. Social workers provide emotional support for the students through individual and/or group counseling and assistance with referral to community resources. A nurse is available to the program to address physical complaints and to educate students regarding medication and other health-related concerns. Other professionals (Speech/Language Therapists, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapists, and Psychologist) are available to the students identified as requiring these services as stated in the Individual Education Plan (IEP).