A state-approved school in Uptown, Chicago
Small classes. Real progress. Support built into every day.
A small therapeutic school in Chicago for students in kindergarten through 8th grade.
939 W. Wilson Ave., Uptown, Chicago · Map
K-8
Kindergarten through 8th grade
5 or fewer
Students per teacher, plus a classroom coach
Every day
Therapy built into the school day
State-approved
Approved by the Illinois State Board of Education
Who we serve
Black Bear Elementary serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade who need small classes and support built into the school day.
Twice-exceptional students are gifted and also learn differently.
For districts and IEP teams
Black Bear Elementary is a state-approved school in Chicago for students in kindergarten through 8th grade who need a therapeutic day setting. Led by Dr. Lori G. Tall, PsyD, who also leads sister school Black Bear Academy, serving Chicago families since 2003.
Approval
Approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
Grades
Kindergarten through 8th grade, grouped by student profile, no more than 3 grades apart
Classes
5 or fewer students per teacher, plus a classroom coach
Therapy
Speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and social work and psychology, delivered one-on-one, in small groups, and push-in during the school day
School day
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Summer program
Offered each summer. Contact the school for dates.
Transportation
Provided by the placing district
Location
In Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, a short walk from the CTA Wilson Red and Purple Line station and the #36 Broadway and #78 Montrose buses. 939 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL 60640
Ages 5 to 15
Autism · Emotional Disability · Hearing Impairment · Intellectual Disability · Other Health Impairment · Specific Learning Disability · Speech or Language Impairment
Ages 5 to 9
Developmental Delay
Verify us in the ISBE Private Facilities searchHow to refer
Five steps from records to a shadow day. Admissions are rolling.
1
Email these to infobbe@blackbearacademy.com: the student's IEP, behavior intervention plan (BIP), report cards, and recent school reports.
2
We follow up promptly once we receive the records.
3
The family meets by phone with our Clinical Director and Clinical Psychologist to share background and history.
4
We observe the student at their current school, in person or by video. The current school chooses what works best.
5
The student spends a morning with us, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., so our team can see how they do with the supports we offer.
For families
Your child learns in a small class with a teacher and a classroom coach. Support is part of every day.
Talk with your school's IEP team about a placement at Black Bear Elementary. We work with your district on the referral.
Contact us for tuition. The steps are the same: an intake call, an observation, and a shadow day.
Tours run at 8 a.m. or 3 p.m., before or after the school day.
Our team
Teachers, therapists, and support staff who work with our students every day.
Dr. Lori G. Tall, PsyD
Executive Director
Sarah Rose
Principal / Chief Administrator
Emily Mason-Pehr, M.S. CCC-SLP/L
Clinical Director, Speech-Language Pathologist
Dr. Sayali Inamdar
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Twyla Harris
Lead Teacher, LBS1
Morgan Shah
Lead Teacher, LBS1
Julia Stevens
Lead Teacher, LBS1
Teddy Hoffmann
Literacy Specialist and Substitute Teacher
Amy Gass
Speech-Language Pathologist
Avery Mark, MOT, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Charlie Roback
Lead Restorative Interventionist
Ryan Jones
Restorative Interventionist
Nika Chavla, Sean Mocny, Hannah Katz, Kalina Zizulka, Aaron Dripps
Learning Support
Contact
We will follow up by phone or email.