P R I D E SCHOOL

P R I D E School is a public school that is part of the A E R O Spec Educ Coop school district, located in Oak Lawn, IL with about 69 students. With about 15 teachers, P R I D E School has a student/teacher ratio of about 4:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The **PRIDE School**, located in Oak Lawn, Illinois, is a specialized therapeutic day school operated by the AERO Special Education Cooperative. It is designed to serve students with significant emotional and behavioral disabilities who require a more supportive and structured environment than what is typically available in a general education setting. The school focuses on a "therapeutic-first" approach, integrating intensive social-emotional learning and clinical support with academic instruction to help students develop the coping skills and behavioral regulation necessary for success.

The program is highly individualized, utilizing a multidisciplinary team—including teachers, social workers, psychologists, and therapists—to address the unique needs of each student. By maintaining small class sizes and a low student-to-staff ratio, the PRIDE School aims to reduce academic barriers while fostering a safe, consistent atmosphere. The ultimate goal of the institution is to provide students with the stability and therapeutic tools needed to improve their social functioning and, whenever possible, successfully transition back to their home school districts.

For more information, contact P R I D E School at (708) 598-4530 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.