Our mission is to provide students with a path to success.
At Charles H. Walsh Sr. Academy & Career Tech High School, or Walsh Academy for short, every student is provided authentic and experiential learning opportunities through a structured and caring educational environment. It is characterized by student-teacher and student-student relationships grounded in mutual respect.
Walsh Academy will prepare special education students to enter high-demand trades and be college-ready for a successful future.
14-22
ages of students
Comprehensive high school offering:
- social emotional learning
- academics
- vocational
open enrollment policy
Welcome to Walsh Academy
Ann Craig, Ed.D., principal and director of educational services, welcomes you to Walsh Academy and shares its vision of growth and opportunity. Ann takes you on a journey from when Jen School was founded in 2007 to the present when the new school answers the needs of our students to be college-ready or enter high demand-trades for a successful future.
In the News
Emergency School Closing Information
For Emergency School Closing information, please listen to WGN radio or go to https://www.emergencyclosingcenter.com/. Our school will be listed under “Maryville Jen School” or Walsh Academy.
- Walsh Academy is Hiring!
Join an award-winning, innovative school that is student-focused and provides a unique and collaborative environment. We have four open full-time positions: School Cook and Dishwasher, HS Special Education Teacher, HS Special Education Paraprofessional, and School Psychologist. Walsh Academy offers: competitive salaries with great benefits, a supportive teaching and learning environment, small caseloads and a push-in model for social work services. Walsh Academy has been recognized as a School of Excellence… Read More - Walsh Academy receives CISCO recognition
The Construction Industry Service Corporation honored Walsh Academy and Maryville with a special mention award during its annual meeting at the Westin Hotel in Lombard on January 19. The award is part of CISCO’s annual Pride in Construction Award program. Walsh Academy and Maryville’s recognition is only the second time that CISCO used its discretionary authority and awarded the special mention honor. “I could not believe all that you are doing in this old facility. I could… Read more: Walsh Academy receives CISCO recognition
What sets us apart
Our students at Walsh Academy have one or more significant challenges such as specific learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism or other health impairments. Many students have also experienced childhood trauma such as abuse, neglect or abandonment.
Students learn through a curriculum that follows the trauma-informed model combining high school academics with career technical education (CTE) courses and social emotional learning (SEL).
CTE makes learning more accessible for special needs students by contextualizing academics.
Walsh Academy is the only nonpublic special education school that has a unique staffing model of having a special education teacher, a social worker and a paraprofessional in every classroom. Individualized attention and guidance to each student are provided.
Academics
Walsh Academy provides specialized academic, therapeutic and career technical education (CTE) opportunities for adolescents experiencing intellectual, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges that can potentially limit their success.
SEL
Social emotional learning (SEL) is integrated into the core curriculum. Students are taught how to manage their frustrations whether working on math or in stressful family or life situations. Learning is not only about academics, it is about life.
CTE
Walsh Academy’s career technical education (CTE) education program is to provide structured and supported employment opportunities through experiential learning process. Our CTE curriculum gives our students the opportunity to be in apprenticeship programs and a pathway to high paying trade careers.
Important dates for school year 2023-2024
- April 26, 2024, 7:30 am: Inservice Day
- May 2, 2024, 8:30 am: Quarter 4 Ends
- May 3, 2024, 8:30 am: May Term Begins
- May 27, 2024, : Memorial Day - No School
For full calendar, click here
Make a difference
We are grateful to you for touching and changing the lives of our students in immeasurable ways. Your generosity has allowed us to expand our programs and support our students and faculty.
About Charles H. Walsh Sr.
As a child, Chuck Walsh lived at Maryville where he learned several vocational skills. It was these skills that helped him land his first job as a cobbler at Florsheim Shoes. Chuck went on to a successful career, eventually becoming part owner of the Chicago Bulls and White Sox. Chuck served as the chairman of Maryville Academy’s Board prior to his death in 2018.
