NOW ACCEPTING DISTRICT REFERRALS
Oak Lawn, Illinois | Opening Fall 2026
Structured Therapeutic
Education for Grades 3-12
Now Accepting District Referrals for Fall 2026
Serving the Greater Chicago Region and
surrounding communities with a flexible service model designed to support district placement needs.
Program Overview PDF
Relay works in partnership with districts to meet students where they are and support their re-engagement in learning.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reconnect students to learning by meeting them wherever they are while providing flexible, supportive pathways that lead to academic success and real-world readiness.
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Why This Model Matters Now
Across Illinois, many students—especially those with IEPs—are struggling to attend school consistently.
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• Nearly 1 in 5 students miss significant instructional time due to chronic absenteeism
• For students with IEPs, that number rises to approximately 28% in many suburban districts
• Nationally, an estimated 30–45% of students with IEPs are chronically absent—rates that are often higher in large urban districts such as Chicago
​ "Some students benefit from more flexible and individualized approaches to support consistent engagement and progress, which may be at our traditional school based site or virtually per district placement decisions "
Grounded in Proven Models
Relay Academic Preparatory integrates research-based instructional practices and evidence-based therapeutic supports that have demonstrated success for students with IEPs and behavioral, emotional, and learning needs.
Our program incorporates:
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Evidence-based therapeutic day school practices used throughout Illinois.
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Flexible instructional delivery, including virtual learning options when appropriate and specified by a student’s IEP or district agreement.
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Individualized academic programming, positive behavioral supports, and close collaboration with referring school districts.
Relay brings these proven practices together in a structured, supportive environment designed to help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
*Relay brings these proven practices together within a structured, supportive environment designed
'to meet students where they are while maintaining strong alignment with district expectations.
About
About Relay Academy Preparatory Therapeutic Day School
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​Relay Academic Preparatory Therapeutic Day School serves students with IEPs across the following eligibility categories, including:
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• Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
• Emotional Disability (ED)
• Other Health Impairment (OHI)
• Speech/Language Impairment (SLI)
• Multiple Disabilities (as appropriate)​
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Benefit from smaller, structured, and supportive learning environments tailored to individual needs
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Require therapeutic behavioral and social-emotional supports to fully access instruction
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Need individualized, IEP-driven academic instruction with consistent progress monitoring
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Benefit from additional support in engagement, attendance, or behavioral regulation
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Thrive in environments that provide flexible, student-centered approaches
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Benefit from structured transition planning, life skills development, and community readiness preparation
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​Our Service Delivery Model
Relay Academic Preparatory Therapeutic Day School serves students in Grades 3–12 who benefit from structured, individualized learning environments.
We provide IEP-driven instruction, therapeutic behavioral supports, and personalized academic programming designed to support student growth, stability, and re-engagement in learning.
Our program utilizes a structured school based service delivery model located in Oaklawn, Illinois that prioritizes in-person instruction within a traditional school-based setting, with virtual supports available as appropriate based on student needs and district placement decisions.
All services are aligned to each student’s IEP and designed to address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
Relay’s model reflects established nonpublic therapeutic program practices across Illinois and is designed to align with ISBE expectations for student support, accountability, and individualized instruction.
Transportation is coordinated through each student’s home school district in accordance with IEP services and placement decisions.
How Students Are Supported
Students receive structured, school-based instruction and therapeutic supports within a traditional learning environment, aligned to their IEPs and individualized goals.
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Additional supports, including virtual options are incorporated based on student needs and district placement decisions.
Our team collaborates to provide a consistent, supportive environment that promotes academic growth, behavioral development, and long-term success.
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Students we serve may:
Executive Director
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Dr. G. Diane Walters, PhD, serves as Executive Director of Relay Academic Preparatory Therapeutic Day School, bringing experience in urban and suburban public education with special education leadership.
Her work has focused on building structured, supportive school environments, strengthening student outcomes, and preparing students for long-term success beyond high school.
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Go "DePaul Blue Demons
Community Leadership & Partnerships
Dr. Walters brings a longstanding commitment to community engagement and service, supporting initiatives that uplift underserved students and families.
She has collaborated with school systems including Chicago Public Schools, Rock Island Public Schools, and Joliet Public Schools, contributing to student support, educational programming, and community engagement efforts.
As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, an internationally recognized service organization, Dr. Walters demonstrates a continued commitment to leadership, service, and community impact.
These experiences directly support Relay’s mission to connect students to meaningful community and workforce opportunities.
Workforce & Community Partnerships
Preparing students for real-world success beyond the classroom
Our goal is to connect students to real-world training and workforce opportunities through aligned community programs and partnerships. These experiences are designed to support career exploration, skill development, and successful transition beyond high school.
Culinary Arts & Workforce Exposure
Relay partners with community-based organizations to provide students with exposure to hands-on career pathways. Through programs such as those developed by Co-Founder, Paulette Mitchell and the Larger Than Life Foundation, students have opportunities to explore culinary arts, entrepreneurship, and service-based learning experiences.
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Youth Development & Workforce
Readiness
Relay aligns with community-based youth development programs that support leadership, communication, and job readiness skills. These experiences help students build confidence and prepare for structured work environments.
Career Exploration & Community-Based Learning
Relay supports student participation in community-based learning experiences that may include job shadowing, supervised engagement, and exposure to a variety of career pathways aligned with student interests and goals.
Transition & Independent Living Skills
Our focus incorporates opportunities that support the development of independent living and transition skills, helping students prepare for life beyond high school, including employment and community participation.
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​Relay Academic Preparatory Therapeutic Day School partners with districts to provide structured, supportive, and individualized programming for success.”