Northwest Center for Autism at High Road School2024-09-30T13:35:22-04:00

Northwest Center for Autism at High Road School

Northwest Center for Autism (NCWA) at High Road School provides academic and therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and young adults, ages 3 through 21, with extraordinary needs.

We believe students reach their highest potential in safe and structured environments that afford them a strong sense of security, a positive attitude toward learning, and incentives for appropriate behavior.

By focusing on key areas — academics, behavior modifications, support services, and transition/life-planning services — we meet the individual needs of all students. Through collaboration with a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team, we can choose the most appropriate learning model based on a student’s present levels of performance, social capabilities, motor coordination, and ability to learn in a group setting.

Some of the emotional and behavioral issues, as well as other disabilities, we embrace in our schools include:

  • Emotional Disability
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Multiple Disabilities
  • Other Health Impairments
  • 123 W. 1st Street
    Genoa, IL 60135

  • (P) 815.787.4144
  • School Hours: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
  • Transit Routes Close to 1-88 and 1-90
Home > Our Locations > Northwest Center for Autism at High Road School

NWCA at High Road School serves students with an array of exceptional needs. Our programs provide individualized attention and a curriculum that is based on each student’s cognitive ability, learning style, and interest. That curriculum includes:

Pearson Curriculum aligned to Common Core State Standards

  • PEAK
  • Touch Math
  • Handwriting Without Tears
  • Unique Learning
  • Additional supplemental materials

The goal for students who attend NWCA at High Road School is to make progress on their individual goals and objectives as stated in their Individual Education Program (IEP) so they may reintegrate to a less restrictive environment as soon as possible. That is why we provide a wide variety of therapies, engaging and useful courses, and activities such as:

  • ABA therapy
  • Adapted physical education
  • Adult prep program, including 12 off-site volunteer job opportunities
  • Art therapy
  • Assisted technology
  • Life skills education
  • Music therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • PEAK
  • Pet therapy
  • TheraPlay
  • Sensory supports
  • Social skills
  • Special Olympics
  • Speech therapy
  • Visual supports
  • Vocational training

Additionally, NWCA at High Road School provides the opportunity for students to explore the many amenities within the school building, including:

  • Comfort and sensory rooms
  • Full-sized gym
  • Grooming rooms and kitchens
  • Mock apartment setting with bedroom, family room, and kitchen
  • Adapted indoor and outdoor playgrounds
  • Adaptive workshop
  • Dedicated occupational therapy room

We also provide parent guidance and education, as well as the opportunity to attend parent events, as part of our support services.

Our Students
Students are referred by their school district to attend NWCA at High Road School and range in age from 3 to 21. They face disabilities in a variety of areas, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Multiple Disabilities, Emotional Disabilities, and other health impairments.

Our Staff
We are proud to employ certified special education teachers and therapists, who are certified through the Illinois State Board of Education and have crisis intervention training. We have services providers in counseling, speech, occupational, and music therapies

Faith’s Law
Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Resource Guide 

Faith’s Law is named after prevention advocate and child sexual abuse survivor Faith Colson, who graduated from an Illinois high school in the early 2000s. Faith’s Law was passed by the Illinois General Assembly as two separate pieces of legislation. The first legislation established the definition of sexual misconduct within the Illinois School Code and outlined the requirements for schools to develop and post employee code of professional conduct policies.  The second legislation adds employment history reviews as part of the hiring and vetting process for schools and school contractors, requires notices to be provided to parents/guardians and the applicable student when there’s an alleged act of sexual misconduct, and makes other changes to the process schools must follow when handling allegations of sexual misconduct.  As a result, ISBE has developed a resource guide that is available on its website (www.isbe.net) and includes guidance for pupils, parents or guardians, and teachers about sexual abuse responses and prevention resources available in their community, including the contact information of entities that provide services for victims of child sexual abuse and their families.

The Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Resource Guide can be found on the Illinois State Board of Education website (www.isbe.net) at: https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Faiths-Law-Resource-Guide.pdf#search=faith%27s%20law

In addition, a copy of the Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Resource Guide will be provided to parents/guardians, upon request. Please contact the School Administrator to request a hard copy of the Resource Guide.

Resources


Katrina Evans
Northwest Center for Autism at High Road School
2023-2024 Regional Winner


Valerie Nardini
Northwest Center for Autism at High Road School
2023-2024 Campus Winner

Recent School Events & Stories