Wheeling, IL: Autism school for kids with "pretty significant behavioral challenges" opening

July 22, 2025, Chicago Daily: Herald: School for students with autism coming to Wheeling 

A school for children and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities could open this fall in Wheeling.

Inspired Learners Academy is planned for first-floor space in a vacant, three-story building at 350 E. Dundee Road, near the northeast corner of Dundee Road and Milwaukee Avenue.

Called a therapeutic day school, Inspired Learners Academy would accept students who can’t be educated in traditional public schools because of “pretty significant behavioral challenges,” owner Karyn Olszak told the village board Monday night. Public school officials in the region already are interested in sending students to Inspired Learners, she said.

The school would have up to 25 students, Olszak said. A one-to-one student-to-staff ratio is planned.

Students would be between 5 and 22 years old, according to village documents.

Olszak envisions opening by November. The facility first must be constructed and then accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education, she said.

Olszak was before the village board Monday to apply for a special use permit for the school. Several trustees spoke in favor of the concept before the board unanimously approved the permit.

Trustee Mary Krueger spoke of a brother with disabilities who attended special education programs while in school.

“This is something that is very needed,” Krueger said. . . .