Why We Stand Out Since 1947, The Cove School has been a national leader within its field, creating an exceptional environment where children with learning disabilities “learn how to learn” and develop the emotional and social skills to reach within, achieve above, and exceed beyond.
Your Child Deserves a Top-notch Education
The Cove School is a K-12
to Reach Their Personal Best.
school dedicated solely to students with learning
is flexible and varies according to the individual student's learning style. A team of on-site specialists
intensive, integrated related services.
350 Lee Road Northbrook, IL 60062
work collaboratively with you and your child to provide
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student growth. Classes are kept small. Teaching
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disorders.
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provides a unique learning experience that maximizes
Visit Our Website: www.coveschool.org
disabilities and related
Come learn about our unique environment! For more information, call (847) 562-2100 and ask for Mark Ditthardt.
The Cove School’s specialized approach to learning
Our dual purpose is to
Changing Lives. Building Futures.
provide students with customized learning strategies to complete an academic curriculum, and facilitate the development of their social, emotional, and self-advocacy skills.
The Cove School provides highly individualized education and life strategies for children with learning disabilities.
Student Activities
Belong to a Community.
Extracurriculars All students are encouraged to
participate on the basketball team, cheerleading, or pom squad, in our school plays and choir, as well as student council. After school programs are numerous and include Homework Club, Maker Studio, Robotics, School of Rock, and Soccer just to name a few. Cove provides monthly social events outside of the school for all grade levels.
Technology Every Cove classroom has a Smart board
and phonic ear and utilizes Google Classroom. Each student receives either a Chromebook, laptop or an iPad to use in class and for homework assignments. Assistive technology staff train students on LD software and apps.
Fine Arts Our comprehensive fine arts program in-
cludes music, visual arts, digital photography, an elementary school musical as well as an annual all school theater production performed at a local community theater.
STEAM Our STEAM program teaches Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Students learn how to solve real world problems using 3D printers, Lego robotics, and littleBits electronics.
Transition Each student maintains a work portfolio
during their high school years to help assess and develop their skill sets beyond the classroom. Through field trips to local businesses and internships, Cove students get the opportunity to experience different types of work environments. Our Transition Specialists help each student explore post-secondary program options.
Our campus includes the following facilities: • 22 classrooms equipped with SMART Boards and Phonic Ears • Multi-Media Center • Learning Resource Center • Multi-purpose Room with Gymnasium, Lunchroom and Stage • Fitness Center
• Occupational Therapy Center • Outdoor Track, Field, and Playground • Art Room • Science Lab • 3 Conference Rooms • Speech Language Suite • Social Worker and Transition Suite
FAQs
How do we know if Cove is right for our child?
Who attends The Cove School?
Does Cove offer year round education?
Cove attracts a diverse student population from communities throughout the greater Chicago area.
Cove’s ESY (Extended School Year), otherwise known as summer school, gives students the opportunity to continue working on basic core curriculum, as well as a chance to try out some specialty classes like STEAM, cooking, and dance!
Why do students come to Cove? Each student that comes to Cove has unique needs and require specific programmatic requirements that call for an individualized approach. Cove can provide that as well as provide an appropriate peer group with authentic opportunities to allow students to enhance their strengths.
Can a smaller class size make a difference? To facilitate the continual assessment and individualized instruction essential to the Cove experience, classes are kept small with no more than eight to ten students per class. For more intensive remediation, groups may be as small as two or three students. Classes and groups are designed to be as cohesive as possible with special consideration paid to the age, social, and language needs of the students involved. Overall, Cove maintains a student/ teacher ratio of 4:1.
What is the relationship between Cove and public schools? We provide a vital service to all public schools challenged with finding the appropriate educational setting for students to meet their complex learning needs. This collaboration is a top priority at Cove, helping to facilitate the students’ transitions back to their local schools and broader communities.
How broad of a reach does Cove have? Students come to Cove from more than 60 school districts throughout the greater Chicago metropolitan area. We also serve as a training site for local teachers and professionals in the community, maintaining a close working relationship with local universities, private specialists, and others involved with childhood learning and development.
How does Cove help students socially? Because certain learning disabilities make it difficult for students to acquire and maintain friendships, we offer specific classes to help students develop and refine these vital social skills. Many children with learning disabilities do not learn as quickly or as easily as their peers. As a result, their sense of self-worth often suffers. At Cove, students experience academic success and develop social skills that build confidence and enhance their personal growth.
Can my child enter Cove mid year? Yes. Cove accepts new students at any point during the school year, space permitting. Therefore, it is not unusual for students to begin at The Cove School mid-year.
The Application Process
Start Here. Move Beyond.
The Cove School offers an unparalleled opportunity for students with learning disabilities to gain the tools they need to succeed in life. The Cove School is approved by the State Board of Education to serve students with a variety of disabilities. Our primary focus is learning disability, but we recognize that students with learning disabilities often have secondary diagnoses that contribute to the complexity of their needs. Applying to The Cove School requires a number of important steps.
• All prospective students must submit a completed application form along with a complete evaluation
•E valuations consist of a psychological and education assessment; their health, school and social history; a medical report; and a current IEP, if available. In some cases, a neurological, ophthalmological, or psychiatric examination may be necessary as well
• Parents of prospective students are encouraged to visit The Cove School to discuss their child’s special needs prior to beginning the application process
Where is Cove located? The Cove School is located at 350 Lee Road in Northbrook, IL. To contact Cove, phone the main office at 847.562.2100.
Once completed application materials are received, they’re evaluated by a team of Cove professionals who will determine whether or not Cove can meet the needs of the student. The prospective student will then be invited to visit a Cove classroom for either a half or full day. A final decision on enrollment will be made by the Cove administration and the prospective student’s family, following the student’s school visit. For more information, or to schedule a tour, contact Mr. Mark Ditthardt, Director of Admissions, at mditthardt@coveschool.org.