PAEC Elementary School
Principal: Amina Payne
Main Office Phone Number: 708-338-3250
PAEC Elementary School provides comprehensive educational and mental health services for students with severe emotional disturbances who struggle to conform in traditional school settings without intensive support. Students enrolled in this specialized program receive individualized education through IEPs while participating in multiple therapeutic modalities including individual counseling, group therapy, and family support services, delivered by a multidisciplinary team. The academic program aligns with Common Core Standards but incorporates significant accommodations such as small class sizes, flexible scheduling, and individualized instruction tailored to each student's learning profile and cognitive abilities. A structured behavioral management system tracks student progress through daily point accumulation across multiple evaluations, leading to both immediate and long-term rewards, with elementary students eligible for transition back to their home districts after demonstrating sustained behavioral success (95% weekly points for 12 consecutive weeks) and academic achievement (C grades or higher) without major incidents. Safety and therapeutic effectiveness are maintained through daily security screenings, Crisis Prevention Institute-trained staff, and a purposefully designed physical environment that promotes structure, predictability, and positive relationship-building while teaching students to replace maladaptive behaviors with effective coping strategies.