Wolcott College Prep: A Strength-Based Approach to College Preparation for Students with Learning Differences

Wolcott College Prep is an independent high school in Chicago designed to provide a rigorous college preparatory education for students with learning differences. The school's mission is to help students with learning differences flourish in college and beyond by providing them with the academic, social, and communication skills they need to succeed. Wolcott achieves this through a strength-based approach, individualized support, and a collaborative community.

Who Wolcott Serves

Wolcott College Prep serves high school students of superior to average cognitive abilities with learning differences who can contribute to, and flourish in, our strength-based, collaborative community. These students typically have well-developed reasoning skills and one or more language-based learning disabilities in reading, written expression, and mathematics, or attention deficit disorder (predominantly inattentive type). The school recognizes that specific Learning Disabilities often exist with processing and executive functioning challenges. Wolcott serves a socio-economically diverse community of students living across Chicagoland.

Curriculum and Teaching Approach

Wolcott offers an exemplar curriculum tailored to the strengths and aspirations of each student. Wolcott School offers an exemplary high school program for students with learning differences, tailored to the strengths and aspirations of each student. The school's expert faculty employs best practices to help students gain self-awareness, confidence and resilience.

Teachers are trained to differentiate instruction-providing multiple entry points for understanding complex material. Each student participates in Learning Strategies classes designed to strengthen executive functioning, organization, time management, and self-advocacy skills. After school, students can join Academic Coaching sessions that provide structured, supportive time to complete homework, prepare for tests, and build study habits. Wolcott students learn by doing-through field trips, service learning, and hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to the world around them. Wolcott’s teachers work closely with Learning Specialists to adapt instruction based on students’ learning profiles.

The Importance of a Psycho-Educational Evaluation

Wolcott requires a psycho-educational evaluation for admissions because it helps them determine whether Wolcott’s academic program will be a good fit for a student’s learning profile and needs. A psycho-educational evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a clinical psychologist that helps answer questions regarding an individual’s overall learning profile (including strengths and weaknesses) as well as emotional and behavioral functioning. A typical evaluation assesses an individual’s functioning in cognitive reasoning, oral expression, language comprehension, academic skills, and social-emotional well-being. The results determine whether a student’s functioning meets the diagnostic criteria for a learning difference.

The Wolcott Community

Wolcott is more than just a school-it’s a place where students find connection, belonging, and lifelong friendship. With a wide range of student-led activities, after-school programs, clubs, and athletics, our students have countless opportunities to build meaningful relationships both in and out of the classroom. Wolcott is where they found “their people.” Here, your child won’t just make friends-they’ll build a support system and form lasting bonds that often continue long after graduation.

The school fosters a welcoming community that really “gets” each kid. Though small, they work hard to give students a chance to experience many different extra curricular activities and sports.

Student Life: School. Life. Balance.

Critical to every student’s success is a healthy balance between the demands of school and life. We believe our students’ schedules should allow time for meaningful engagement in extracurricular activities. Our programs are purposefully structured to integrate social emotional learning. An active student government, clubs, sports, music, arts and theater, and our service learning curriculum complement our rigorous academics, resulting in a powerful and balanced high school experience.

Wolcott delivers small class instruction with peer and teacher engagement, 1:1 instruction, and daily to weekly meetings with educational coaches, advisors, guidance counselors and college counselors. Students are offered a variety of courses and after-school activities and sports in a small, supportive community that helps all students thrive and reach their greatest potential.

Extracurricular Activities

At Wolcott, creativity thrives across every medium-visual, performance, music, written, and dance. Students express themselves through classes, clubs, and showcases that celebrate collaboration and imagination. Athletics at Wolcott are about more than competition-they’re about teamwork, perseverance, and pride. With inclusive, no-cut teams, expert coaching, and state-of-the-art facilities, every student has the chance to grow as an athlete and a person. Student life at Wolcott is dynamic, diverse, and student-driven. Our clubs and affinity groups reflect a range of interests-from robotics and social justice to creative writing and cultural heritage. Leadership at Wolcott begins with belonging. Through grade-level Leadership Teams, Student Government, and service-oriented clubs, students develop their voices, collaborate across grades, and help shape school culture. Wolcott students learn by doing-connecting academic study with community action. Service Learning projects promote civic engagement and empathy while addressing real-world challenges.

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The Tyree Institute

With so much information available today on learning differences, attention and organizational challenges, and adolescent development, it can be difficult to keep up. The Tyree Institute serves as Wolcott’s platform for exporting expertise to the greater community. Through our Tyree Presentations, Wolcott faculty and distinguished educational professionals share strategies and insights that promote meaningful learning and student success.

Location and Accessibility

Wolcott is conveniently located for families traveling from the north, south, and west. With students coming from 60+ different zip codes across Chicagoland, we are committed to making the commute as smooth as possible. Most students travel to school by car, public transportation, or our complimentary shuttle service.

Affordability and Admissions

It is our philosophy to keep the school within the financial reach of all our families. We are committed to working with families to make a Wolcott education affordable. If you think Wolcott is appropriate for your student, and are concerned about tuition or transportation, we encourage you to reach out to Rachel Spiro, Director of Admissions.

Applying is easy through our online admissions portal. Families can start an application without the need for completing it in one sitting. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline.

Testimonials

Parents and students alike praise Wolcott for its transformative impact. Here are a few examples:

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"This school exceeded my family’s expectations in every way. He is blessed with a great athletic department (basketball), amazing and caring teachers and has made the best of friends with open, sweet and humble peers. Wolcott is a school for kids without behavior issues who simply need the help to master how they study best in order to be successful in college." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"Their integration of different learning styles/methods, strong support of students who have diverse learning needs, and personal attention to students has surpassed our expectations for our student. The diversity of students is a big plus for us, and the strong and thoughtful attention to a collaborative (versus competitive) school culture has been refreshing. The curriculum is rigorous and the access to teachers for homework help, guidance and coaching has been outstanding." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"Highly experienced staff, small class room sizes and an individual approach, based on your unique learning style, is what you can expect. Innovative technology with state of the art equipment and environment, makes this a very effective and engaging setting to bring out the best in their students. Alternative learners without behavioral issues, this is a school that will help you soar!" - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"No one falls through the cracks! Teachers foster learning skills using a strength-based approach. Students set and achieve meaningful goals. Teachers provide executive function skill development and growth in fundamental academic skills, such as reading comprehension, math problem solving and written expression. 100% college acceptance!" - Wolcott Student, Source: Niche.com
"Wolcott College Prep is a standard of education that should be used in all schools. It’s strength based learning builds on your child’s top skill set and shows them how to use that to propel them in multiple learning and a variety of subjects. Our son is starting his junior year and has matured in the ability of who he is, how he learns and what he needs to succeed." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"Wolcott College Prep was an excellent school for our family. Our daughter was totally engaged in what she was learning - with that came a better academic experience, a greater interest in extra-curriculars, increased self-confidence, and a happier child!" - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"The biggest thing for me was that I was really down on myself. I was diagnosed with dysgraphia and ADD, and school wasn’t for me. I had so many tutors before. I have to thank my parents for putting up with me. They sent me to Wolcott and with some work and patience I was able to be myself again. I started playing basketball and I really enjoyed being involved with Student Council." - Wolcott Alum, Source: Niche.com
"My son is nearing the end of his freshman year at Wolcott, and the transformation that he has undergone has been astounding. He has blossomed academically and in confidence under the guidance of caring teachers who understand his learning needs and help him leverage his strengths. In just this first year, he has become deeply motivated to learn and adept at advocating for himself." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"Wolcott School is a private high school in Chicago for students with learning differences. They teach many strategies for all the students to take to college. All the students have a class, called Learning Strategies, where there is a student-teacher ratio of 5:1. In that class, the students work to complete homework, work on executive functioning skills, and other skills needed for high school and beyond. Wolcott’s goal is for all their students to be able to know what they all need to succeed in college and life. So with that, I can stay that my 4 years at Wolcott have taught me to be the most efficient learner I can be." - Wolcott Alum, Source: Niche.com
"I wanted a real high school experience for my son, AND I also wanted a place where they would support him. I knew that despite his IEP he was brilliant, and that all he needed was teachers who would see him and embrace who he is and give the nudges and the high fives to get him to do his work and believe in himself. He graduated two years ago and he is thriving in college now." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"Wolcott was a game changer for our son who is gifted with ADHD. He transferred his Junior year and we wish he could have attended all four years. The staff brings out the best academically, socially and emotionally. It’s an incredible and special place." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"My child has learning differences and needed a school that recognized and celebrated his strengths while helping him discover work around a for his challenges. Wolcott seemed like a perfect fit, and overall was a great place for him to grow into a young adult." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"As a student who has a learning difference, the teachers are focused on the achievements of what the students are capable of and help the students set goals for themselves to get ready for college. There is a vast amount of diversity within the school to sport clubs, arts & media clubs, theatre, and soon music production clubs. For the years of experience going to Wolcott, I’ve met many friends and connected a lot with the teachers and staff." - Wolcott Alum, Source: Niche.com
"Wolcott provided a rigorous academic experience with appropriate support for my child. My child thrived there. She loved the teachers. She made good friends. She participated in many extracurricular activities. Many opportunities. Amazing college application support. Responsive helpful administrators. Wonderful experience." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com
"Wolcott College Prep has been the most wonderful enriching experience for our son. The teachers are amazing and really understand the needs of the students and how they specifically need to be taught. He has made amazing friends, something that he has not been able to do before." - Wolcott Parent, Source: Niche.com

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