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
- Walsh Academy to celebrate second graduation at Niles campus May 30 with author Michael Menard as speaker
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 - Emergency School Closing InformationOur 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
- At Walsh Academy, we remain committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.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
- June 19, 2025, : Juneteenth - No School
- July 3, 2025, : 4th of July Break - No School
- July 17, 2025, 1:15 pm: ESY Ends / All students dismissed at 1:15 (No CTE Extension)
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.
