Structured Therapeutic
Education for Grades 6-12
​Now Accepting District Placement Consultations 2025-2026 School Year
Serving the South Suburban Chicago Region and surrounding communities within approximately 20 miles of Chicago Public Schools.
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About
About Relay Academy Preparatory Therapeutic Day School
Relay Academic Preparatory Therapeutic Day School provides a structured, supportive educational environment for students in Grades 6–12 who benefit from smaller, individualized learning settings. The program offers IEP-driven instruction, therapeutic behavioral supports, and personalized academic programming designed to help students stabilize, grow academically, and re-engage in school.
Relay utilizes a flexible, student-centered service delivery approach aligned with each student’s IEP, allowing services to be tailored each students academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.
Relay partners with school districts and IEP teams to support students whose needs may not be fully met in traditional settings, with a strong focus on positive behavioral strategies and preparation for successful transition beyond high school.
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Students Who May Benefit From Relay
Relay Academic Preparatory Therapeutic School is designed to support students who:
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• Benefit from smaller, structured, and supportive learning environments tailored to individual needs
• Require therapeutic behavioral and social-emotional supports to access instruction across settings
• Need individualized, IEP-driven academic instruction and consistent progress monitoring
• Have experienced difficulty succeeding in larger or traditional school environments
• Demonstrate challenges with school engagement, attendance, or behavioral regulation
• Would benefit from structured transition planning, life skills development, and community readiness preparation
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Mission Statement
Relay Academic Preparatory Therapeutic Day School provides a structured, therapeutic educational environment for students in Grades 6–12, partnering with districts to support academic growth, behavioral stability, and successful transition beyond high school.
Executive Director
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Dr. G. Diane Walters, PhD, serves as Executive Director of Relay Academic Preparatory Therapeutic Day School. She brings decades of experience as a school administrator in urban public education and special education programming, with leadership focused on building positive school climate and structured academic environments.
Dr. Walters has also served as a special education teacher, Dean of Student Support & School Culture and case manager. Her work centers on strengthening behavioral outcomes and preparing students for long-term success beyond high school.