Staff/Services

In addition to the day-to-day operations of the school, the principal oversees all components of programming, meets with prospective families to conduct intake interviews and communicates with districts regarding current and prospective students. The principal is available to discuss any questions and concerns regarding the school program.

The Clinical Director organizes and supervises all clinical staff and therapeutic groups. In a crisis situation, the Clinical Director will assist counselors in assessing a student’s need for emergency treatment. In addition, the Clinical Director may conduct intake interviews with prospective families and supervise support staff.

In addition to running the day-to-day operations of the school, the Assistant Principal supervises teachers, trains and supervises paraprofessionals, monitors data in accordance with ISBE standards, and may conduct intake interviews with prospective families.

Each program’s Educational Coordinator is responsible for the  day-to-day operation and management of the academic component of that program, including supervision of staff, collaboration with students, teachers, and families, monitoring of IEPs and meetings, and implementation of general program and disciplinary policies.

Each program’s Clinical Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the therapeutic component of that program, including managing a caseload of students, supervision of staff, collaboration with students, teachers, and families, monitoring of IEPs and meetings, and implementation of general program and disciplinary policies.

Classroom teachers are certified through the Illinois State Board of Education  as Learning Behavior Specialists (LBS1). Teachers provide instruction that meet state standards and district requirements, while supporting the individual needs of the students in accordance with their IEP and monitoring individual student goals.

Licensed paraprofessionals provide academic and emotional support to the students in the classroom and milieu settings under the direction of the teachers. They assist the teachers in the classroom by providing additional academic and emotional support to students, as well as classroom and milieu management.

Counselors are responsible for conducting individual and group sessions, providing research-based curricula, meeting with students and their families to address family issues and communication, communicating with the educational staff regarding treatment and intervention methods, and participating in the implementation of students’ IEPs.

The Nurse is responsible for distributing medication to students per the school’s policy and as authorized by parents/guardians and the student’s licensed prescriber, keeping updated health and immunization records, seeing students who are not feeling well, and contacting parents when necessary.  

Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Director and with the help of our licensed counselors acting as mentors, interns are responsible for conducting individual and group sessions, meeting with students and their families to address family issues and communication, and communicating with the educational staff regarding treatment and intervention methods. Interns are advanced graduate students from one of Chicagoland’s professional schools specializing in clinical or counseling psychology.

The literacy coach focuses on improving student achievement by directly working with students to build and strengthen reading skills.  The literacy coach provides direct instruction to students individually and/or in small groups in and outside the classroom. In addition, the literacy coach evaluates the students’ reading abilities and skills and works directly with teachers to assist and support classroom reading instruction, curriculum, and individual needs/concerns. 

The resource teacher focuses on improving student achievement by directly working with the students to build and strengthen math, reading, and writing skills.  The resource teacher provides direct instruction to students individually and/or in small groups in and outside the classroom.  In addition, the resource teacher evaluates the students’ abilities in these areas and collaborates with classroom teachers regarding instruction and curriculum. 

Metro Prep contracts professionals to deliver services to students who are in need of speech/language and occupational therapies.  These professionals are accredited and licensed and provide individualized services as delineated on the students’ IEPs.

The guidance counselor meets with students 14 years old and older on an individual and group basis to develop a transitional plan and goals for each student, as well as to explore both high school and post-secondary options and planning.

Under the supervision of the clinical director, the school psychologist is responsible for leading the diagnostic team to complete evaluations.  The school psychologist also completes all academic achievement, functional performance and cognitive functioning evaluations with the students.

The school-based substance use programming provides a continuum of care to best address the individual needs of each participant. The certified addictions counselor addresses a variety of issues, including cognitive, psychological, legal, social, cultural, lifestyle, vocational and behavioral changes in clinically appropriate settings such as group counseling, individual counseling, client specific education, and early intervention. Through integrated and comprehensive services, including continuous assessment, participants are able to access levels of care and specific services to create an individualized treatment approach.

Metro Prep and Laureate Day School have partnered with Psychiatry Studio to enhance the mental health and wellness support available to our students. Through this collaboration, we offer a school-based Mini Clinic to support your child’s mental health and emotional well-being.

We recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health, nutrition, and hygiene. When children experience significant or prolonged challenges with behavior or emotional regulation, support from mental health professionals can be an important part of helping them succeed. Increasing our understanding of these challenges and providing appropriate support is key to helping students thrive.

In some cases, when difficulties are more significant—similar to physical health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, arthritis, or seizures—treatment through therapy and, when appropriate, medication may be recommended by qualified medical professionals.

Students at Metro Prep and Laureate Day School, regardless of health insurance coverage, are eligible to receive mental health services through the Mini Clinic. There are no costs for mental health services provided by the Psychiatry Studio team at Metro Prep and Laureate Day School. However, parents are responsible for any costs related to medications that may be prescribed and/or any lab tests that may be requested.

This partnership will allow families to access services in a more timely manner and help eliminate long wait times that often occur when seeking community-based providers.

The security officer screens visitors, maintains traffic safety, and monitors campus grounds.