Black Bear Academy - Chicago Private

Black Bear Academy - Chicago Private Black Bear Academy is a center for learning that provides education and support to children of all ages and their families in the Chicago area.

About Us:

Black Bear Academy began in June 2003 as a pilot program to support children and families in the Chicago area. With an eighteen-month-old son at home, founder Maureen Black decided it was time to put a long-time vision in motion and established BBA in a 1400 square-feet space at Irving Park and Hermitage with three employees. Maureen served as executive program director and consulted w

ith families, schools, and therapists to provide exceptional services to students both at BBA and in external programs to support the success of Black Bear students as they transitioned to other city programs. In the fall of 2009, Maureen and her husband Kevin closed their therapeutic company Clinical Assist to continue their research and focus their full attention on continually improving the programming at BBA. Sadly, Maureen struggled with declining health following a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and passed away in November 2019. Dr. Lori Tall became the new owner of Black Bear Academy in 2020. Her experience in pediatric neuropsychology, passion for mentorship, and dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration make her well-suited to continue to build an exceptional offering of academic and therapeutic programming to support children and families at BBA. We Believe:

Black Bear Academy is a center for learning that provides education and support to children of all ages and their families in the Chicago area. We offer a wide range of academic and therapeutic programming that reflects our commitment to meet the needs of children at all skill levels as they learn, grow, and develop. We believe in supporting learners at all levels. Our teachers and staff are passionate about student-centered approaches to learning and development that serve the needs of the whole child. Our research-driven programming is uniquely tailored to meet each child’s individual needs. We offer a wide range of classes and services that engage children in fun, multi-sensory approaches to learning and development.

☀️ Our BBA Summer Program is almost here—and spots are filling quickly!With both half-day and full-day options available...
05/28/2026

☀️ Our BBA Summer Program is almost here—and spots are filling quickly!

With both half-day and full-day options available, our program is designed to provide a supportive, engaging environment where children can build confidence, connection, regulation, and social skills through structured play and learning.

📅 Session 1: June 15 – July 17
📅 Session 2: July 20 – August 14

We intentionally keep our groups small to create a more personalized experience for every child.

If you’ve been considering summer support for your family, now is a great time to reach out and learn more.

📩 info@blackbearacademy.com
📞 773-244-0700

Summer can be an opportunity for more than just keeping children busy—it can be a chance to help them continue building ...
05/11/2026

Summer can be an opportunity for more than just keeping children busy—it can be a chance to help them continue building confidence, connection, structure, and emotional growth in a supportive environment.

Black Bear Academy’s Summer Program is designed to provide children with engaging experiences while supporting social-emotional development, communication, movement, play, and individualized learning needs along the way.

☀️ Session 1: June 15 – July 17
☀️ Session 2: July 20 – August 14
☀️ Half-day and full-day options available

At Black Bear Academy, we believe progress happens through consistency, support, and meaningful relationships—and summer is no exception.
For families exploring a more supportive and connected summer experience, we’d love to help you learn more.

📍 Limited spots available
📧 info@blackbearacademy.com
📞 773-244-0700
🔗 www.blackbearacademy.com

This month, we’re taking a moment to focus on what truly matters.Awareness.Understanding.Early support.Individual differ...
05/08/2026

This month, we’re taking a moment to focus on what truly matters.

Awareness.
Understanding.
Early support.
Individual differences.
Emotional growth.
Progress over perfection.

At Black Bear Academy, we believe every child deserves to be seen, supported, and understood—not rushed, compared, or overlooked.

We know many families are navigating questions that don’t always have clear answers.
And sometimes, the most important step is simply having a place to start.

If you’re exploring what your child might need next, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

We’re here when you’re ready.

🔗 Learn more at www.blackbearacademy.com

Mental health isn’t something we talk about once a year—it’s something we support every single day.At Black Bear Academy...
05/04/2026

Mental health isn’t something we talk about once a year—
it’s something we support every single day.

At Black Bear Academy, we celebrate the small wins:
connection, confidence, and emotional growth.

Because when children feel safe, understood, and supported—
that’s when real progress begins. 💚

Miss Emily and Miss Caroline attended a Conscious Discipline conference last week. We are excited to bring more CD pract...
07/30/2025

Miss Emily and Miss Caroline attended a Conscious Discipline conference last week. We are excited to bring more CD practices into our classrooms!

07/09/2025
The 2’s and Under Class is open to children as young as 18 months and introduces our youngest learners to early language...
06/24/2025

The 2’s and Under Class is open to children as young as 18 months and introduces our youngest learners to early language and developmental skills in a supportive, play-based setting.

This class is designed to support young children’s social-emotional, language, and physical development in a structured yet play-based setting. In this class, your child will establish confidence in being away from parents or guardians while gaining crucial practice in early language skills, gross motor skills, and problem solving skills such as cause and effect. Your child will also gain early primary knowledge about colors, numbers, environmental sound identification, and music as they engage in a variety of play-based activities that encourage physical coordination, increased attention span, and the ability to verbally identify their emotions and navigate their world.

04/29/2025
This weekend consider donating gently used toys to help the kids at BBA!
04/22/2025

This weekend consider donating gently used toys to help the kids at BBA!

Don't forget to join us tonight for our Open House!
11/20/2024

Don't forget to join us tonight for our Open House!

Something exciting is happening! Come join us to learn more about Redwood at Black Bear Academy!

Something exciting is happening! Come join us to learn more about Redwood at Black Bear Academy!
11/13/2024

Something exciting is happening! Come join us to learn more about Redwood at Black Bear Academy!

Address

1801 W Byron Street
Chicago, IL
60613

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

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