Clare Woods Academy

I credit CWA with much of my overall positive development later in life. I was expelled from numerous district schools way back in 2001. By 2002 CWA was decided to be the best option by my district and mother. Clare Woods was in Bartlett back then, but the care, support, and determination were the same. There I learned with their help to control my anger, excel academically, and improve my social skills. The vocational and therapeutic aspects also helped tremendously. They were also critical in helping me slowly ease back into my district schools and eventually graduate. I consider myself beyond blessed to return to a staff role twenty-one years after my debut as a struggling young student.

i went to Clare Woods Academy in October of 2018. Where i decided to go both in the choir and two piano the staff are great and i have a really chill laid-back homeroom teacher. It's great because i get to have the opportunity to be in a normal high school setting homecoming as well as talent show are pretty cool they also have Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts after school great opportunities for young people to learn explore the environment. They also have job opportunities like volunteering as well as for younger students they also have a playground they take walks does the Cardinal shop it's around the corner and down the street where some of the students who want to participate can make jewelry like bracelets that can make keychains. Their students of all kinds and abilities from people who don't communicate that effectively we need more help to fairly average teenagers and young adults.In conclusion it is a great School and i wish i had found it earlier perhaps when i was even the first or second grader

We are very pleased to find Clarewoods Academy. Our neighborhood school did not have the program my son needed, so we were referred to Clarewoods. My son has excelled in all his academics and begun to play with other children instead of next to them. He has social outings, he goes to a work place, he is learning to be out in the world independently. He has all the wonderful extra curricular activities of art, music, and games. They have proms, they have homecoming, they have football games. The programs are designed for your child's needs, the teachers and staff meet weekly to make sure our kids are on track. They have also opened a school store within the city that the children go to and make all the items that are sold at the store. We couldn't be happier with our son's progress at this school. The teachers and staff are amazing, very dedicated to the progress and well being of the children.

This has been my son's 2nd yr of ESY summer school. He wouldn't stop talking about how he wanted to attend because the staff, and his friends were going. He has reached many goals, while attending ClareWoods Academy in Wheaton. Thanks to Mr. Utterback (principal) for his constant care of my child and other students there. He has seen much potential in my son, and has really made his transition from another school (which I won't mention) extremely rewarding. Never giving up on him, and instead mentoring him to do well. I can't say enough for this staff. They are amazing!!!! The love and care they put into each child is just a peace of mind for us parents. As a community we all need to work together to achieve our childrens best education and achieve their individual goals. And at ClareWoods, parents receive that support. Blessings to this staff and Mr. Utterback and Mr. Greske.

I am so happy we decided on Clarewoods Academy for my son. He not only has improved academically but has nDeveloped friendships . The friendships have blossomed so much that he now goes to the movies on the weekends to lunch ,and bookstores with his friends he met at Clare Woods. Thank You Principal Utterback and Staff for helping my son come out of the cocoon.

My son transferred in mid year after a disastrous year at his homeschool. It has been such a comfort to learn how much he CAN do instead of the incessant communication about what he couldn't do. The staff of Clare Woods as a whole has been welcoming , friendly, and collaborative. We noticied that on our tour all students and staff we saw smiled waved said hi... It is a very safe embracing environment that has allowed out Kindergartener finally be sucessful, even with a developmental delay! Could not be happier with the choice we made.

Clare Woods Academy has been a wonderful experience for our family. It has given my son resources that were not available in the public school setting and has given him the opportunity to learn in his own special way. The staff has always been fantastic and supportive. I love the fact that he participates in the musicals and productions twice a year. I would highly recommend Clare Woods Academy!

My son's home school is over 3600 kids which is too big for my son to be mainstreamed. He has improved socially and emotionally in the two years at Clare Woods. OT Community boys group is wonderful. Great teachers and support staff.

My wife and I are so happy that our son goes to Clare Woods Academy. He is being taught more than the 3 R's. He is learning life skills he needs to know in order to hold a job one day. We attended his IEP this past spring and he has met our exceeded his goals for the school year. His teachers and therapists are the greatest. The Spring and Winter musicals are a great program to expose the student to music and being in front of an audience. I have recommended this school to a family and now there son is in my son's class.

I love teaching here. Staff is great and very supportive.

Our base HS was too big and overwhelming for my child with autism. Since I moved him to Clare Woods a year and a half ago he is a different kid. He is happy and In a safe, individualized setting where he is learning and making friends. The staff is caring and supportive of our family as well.

This has been our 1st year at Clare Woods, and it's been amazing. My daughter's individual needs are met by highly qualified teachers and aides. The staff here see there work not as a job, but as a vocation. The class sizes are small which allows for great differentiation. My daughter used to say, "No school today Mom" *every* single morning in public school. Now she says, "Yessss!" when I tell her it's a school day. That alone speaks volumes. You won't find a more dedicated staff or welcoming environment. It's fantastic!

Highly recommend Clare Woods Academy to any family with a autistic child. My son and I have been treated like family. He has progressed so much in just a year academically and sociably. I am so elated we found Clare Woods Academy.