Day School Overview
Our Approach: Empowering Through Personalized Learning
At Giant Steps, our mission is crystal clear: we equip students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to achieve academic success and lead independent, fulfilling lives in their communities. Since 1996, we’ve served as a licensed therapeutic day school in Illinois, delivering integrated education, therapy,
Giant Steps Curriculum & Outcomes
At Giant Steps, every student benefits from a highly individualized, strengths-based curriculum, thoughtfully designed to foster both academic and practical skill development.
Personalized, Standards-Aligned Curriculum (K–12)
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- Students engage with standards-aligned English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, paired with targeted skill development to support learning across contexts.
- The instructional team includes LBS1-certified special education teachers, senior program assistants, and paraprofessionals, ensuring flexible staffing and a focus on generalizing skills across people and environments.
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A Holistic, Evidence-Based, Multidisciplinary Model
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- Instruction is anchored in evidence-based teaching methodologies, ensuring that academic, therapeutic, and community-based learning is effective and purposeful.
- A multidisciplinary team—including educators, therapists, and clinicians—collaborates to craft holistic programs tailored to each student’s needs.
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Secondary & Transition Programs (Ages 14–22): Fostering Independence
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- Tailored for emerging adults, this program emphasizes:
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- Independent living
- Career exploration and vocational readiness
- Personal and social development
These elements support meaningful transitions into adulthood and community life.
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- Tailored for emerging adults, this program emphasizes:
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Our Team Outcomes & Impact
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- Our mission is clear: equip and empower students to be academically successful and able to participate independently in their communities, now and in the future
- Beyond the classroom, Giant Steps supports school districts through modern, best-practice training and consultation, benefiting staff, students, and families alike.
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School Calendar and Hours
Giant Steps operates 205 instructional days each year:
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- Regular School Year: 176 days
- Extended School Year (ESY): 29 days
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During the regular school year, the school day runs from 8:40 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with students participating in six academic and therapeutic periods, a lunch period, and dismissal.
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- Early Dismissal Wednesdays: 8:40 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.
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Our Extended School Year (ESY) program, available for students who qualify through their IEP, runs from 8:40 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. over a 29-day summer session. Giant Steps staff work year-round to ensure students experience minimal staff transitions during ESY.
Focus On Individual Growth and Reintegration
At Giant Steps, we are committed to supporting each student’s journey toward greater independence. Whenever appropriate, we work closely with families and districts to prepare students for reintegration into their home school districts.
Readiness for reintegration is assessed individually based on daily data collection, which targets academic, behavioral, and social skills needed for success in the least restrictive environment. Each student’s progress is evaluated throughout the year and formally reviewed during their annual IEP meeting.
Our individualized, data-driven approach ensures that each student’s needs and goals remain central to every decision.
Ready to learn more about Giant Steps and our admissions process?
