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
Walsh Academy is the first school of its kind in Illinois, and perhaps the country, that focuses on preparing diverse learners to enter high-demand, high-paying jobs in the trades or prepare them for college for a successful future. Dr. Ann Craig, Ed.D., principal and director of educational services, takes you on a journey of this award-winning school that opened its doors in Niles, IL. in the fall of 2023. It offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes academics, integrated social-emotional learning and career-technical educational instruction.
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 Walsh Academy.
At Walsh Academy, we remain committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
We understand that recent announcements and media coverage about the possible presence of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies—such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—in schools may raise questions or concerns. As the Director of Educational Services, I want to take a moment to reassure you of our ongoing commitment to student safety and share current information on this matter.
As affirmed in the 1982 U.S. Supreme Court case Plyler v. Doe, children cannot be denied access to free public education based on their or their families’ immigration status. Furthermore, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) safeguards the privacy of student educational records. Schools cannot share student information with authorities unless presented with a lawful court order signed by a judge.
In line with this, Walsh Academy follows strict protocols regarding interactions with governmental agencies on school property. School policy mandates that all visitors to school grounds check in at the main office and receive permission to remain.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has also released resources [link below], emphasizing that schools should serve as “safe havens” for all students, where they can learn without fear.
We are fortunate to have a dedicated and resourceful team ready to support our families. This includes staff who are available to assist with any individual student needs—please feel free to reach out to your child’s classroom counselor or Walsh Academy administrator.
https://www.isbe.net/Pages/newcomer-resources.aspx?_cldee=e360okFbpvwf7lVN4XQXtcT2PLyvVqSmWo84WmaHx4ipistM9VxWeDyZlBHKq_ka&recipientid=contact-b245186dd91aee118f6e000d3a314a06-4b23b89a3145465384b625dbce41d306&esid=06b50293-e5d8-ef11-8eea-6045bd0305f4
- Skate for a brighter future! Join the Chicago Wolves in supporting Walsh Academy
Mark your calendars! The Chicago Wolves will host a special fundraiser to support Walsh Academy on Saturday, February 15, at 7 p.m. at Allstate Arena. Enjoy an exciting game, Chicago Wolves vs. Cleveland Monsters, while helping raise funds to support our students achieve a brighter future. Tickets are available now! Get yours at https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/maryvillewalshacad25 and be part of an evening filled with fun and community spirit. Don’t miss out – we look forward to seeing you there! - Walsh Academy celebrates first historic graduation
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… READ MORE
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 2024-2025
- April 30, 2025, : May Term Begins
- May 2, 2025, 7:30 am: Staff Inservice
- May 26, 2025, : Memorial Day - No School
- May 29, 2025, : May Term Ends
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.
