Black Bear Academy
Black Bear Academy has been a North Center fixture since 2003. What began as a small, founder-led preschool has evolved into a comprehensive full-day school, therapy clinic, and evaluation practice for children from 18 months through 1st grade—all operating as one unified team under a single roof.
Black Bear Academy building in North Center, Chicago
What is Black Bear Academy, in a nutshell?
We are a private school and clinic serving children from 18 months through 1st grade. What sets us apart is our truly integrated approach. Our classroom teachers, licensed therapists (including occupational, speech-language, and social-emotional specialists), and parent coaches function as a single, cohesive team. By working together on one comprehensive plan for every child, they support development seamlessly across all domains, both in the classroom and at home.
What makes the school different from a typical classroom or therapy provider?
We believe that therapy and academics shouldn't be an either-or choice. While many programs that incorporate therapy allow academics to take a backseat, we are committed to maintaining rigorous academic standards that help every child thrive. With small classes of five to seven children, ratios as low as 2:1, and a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)-led clinical team (including a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and speech-language pathologists specializing in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)), we provide a depth of support that typically requires coordinating several separate providers.
What therapy and support do you offer in-house?
Our in-house services include occupational, speech-language, feeding, and applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapies, along with behavioral support, individual and group sessions, social skills groups, parent coaching, and sleep or toilet-training consults. Because everything happens on-site, families don't face referral wait times between services or the risk of information getting lost during a hand-off.
Teacher working with a child in a Black Bear Academy classroom
Do families need to enroll their child in the school to use these services?
Not at all. Our therapy, evaluations, tutoring, and parent support services are open to any family in the community, regardless of school enrollment. A family might initially visit us for an autism evaluation and later decide the school is the right fit, or they may simply utilize one specific service. We support all paths equally.
What kinds of evaluations do you offer, and how fast can families get answers?
Led by Dr. Lori G. Tall, PsyD, we offer autism, ADHD, neuropsychological, and academic evaluations, as well as learning disorder screenings and second opinions. These are usually scheduled within two weeks, with a full written report and feedback meeting provided in about a month. As with our therapy services, a child does not need to be enrolled in the school to receive an evaluation.
Occupational therapy sensory gym at Black Bear Academy
How do you support parents and caregivers, not just kids?
Our focus extends to the adults in a child's life through individualized coaching, training, and educational events. We are always available to meet with parents and caregivers to ensure consistent, supportive environments. Additionally, we weave Conscious Discipline® (a brain-state approach to behavior with the highest evidence rating from CASEL) into our classroom routines and parent coaching. We also provide advocacy and support for 504 plans and IEPs, ensuring the support families receive doesn't stop at the classroom door.
Is there a story that captures what a day at Black Bear really feels like?
One family's experience perfectly captures our "one team, one plan" philosophy. Their son began at Black Bear two years ago following a major surgery. His mother shares: "Everything happened under one roof: coaching, a neuropsychological evaluation, and speech and OT assessments, plus weekly one-on-one support. He loves going and is doing things far beyond my expectations. Every staff member knows him and clearly cares; they adjust to him individually, supporting his interests and helping where he needs it." That level of coordination by people who know every child by name is the heart of what we do.
Teacher and student at Black Bear Academy
How does insurance and cost work, and how do families get started?
Navigating costs is a collaborative process at Black Bear. Our clinicians are in-network with BCBS PPO and UnitedHealthcare through Northwestern, and we also accept private pay, FSA, or HSA funds. Since coverage varies by plan, we help every family verify their specific benefits before getting started. To support those using out-of-network benefits, we provide master insurance bills to simplify the reimbursement process. The best way to begin is with a short call or a 45-minute tour to see our classrooms in action and find the right fit for your child.
See it for yourself.
Black Bear Academy is located at 1801 W. Byron St. in North Center, a few blocks from the Brown Line at Irving Park. Schedule a tour, ask a question, or learn more at blackbearacademy.com, by calling (773) 244-0700, or by emailing info@blackbearacademy.com.
Follow Black Bear Academy on Facebook at @BlackBearAcademy.Chicago and on Instagram at @blackbearacademy.
