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About
Niles Central Philosophy
As a D219 school, the mission and vision of Niles Central High School aligns with the Strategic Plan. We work to inspire and empower students to reach their fullest potential. We want every student who comes to Niles Central to have clear paths, bright futures, and no limits.
We embrace a philosophy based on a strength-based approach that focuses on building student independence. We use a variety of social emotional learning tools to build student capacity as they strive toward their future goals. We use a curriculum called Rebel Human to integrate emotion regulation and stress management into the classroom. Rebel Human guides students through practices to shift their physiology, emotional state, and mindset in real time so they feel better and are prepared to learn.
Niles Central Independence Point and Level System Guidelines
The Student Independence Point and Level System help us identify student needs, target intervention, measure growth, and celebrate achievement. These data points allow team members to consistently reflect with students, celebrate as they grow, and help students, families and school teams determine the level of support students need as they reflect on the continuum of supports available within D219.
At one time, the program operated two half-day sessions and only offered classes in basic academic skill areas. Today, Niles Central students can attend throughout a full academic day and have a greater choice of academic and elective classes available. Over the years, we’ve improved the staff-to-student ratio and enhanced the program with a variety of positive activities geared to promote social-emotional growth, which includes a staff of two full-time social workers and one full-time school psychologist. Whether our students transition back to their home high school building or graduate directly from Niles Central, we are continually fine-tuning our program to meet our students’ needs and reflect the goals of District 219 for all students.
Niles Central History
Since its beginning in 1971, Niles Central has been continually evolving to provide a quality special education program in order to address the intellectual, physical, emotional, and social needs of the young adults in District 219.
The program was originally housed in a storefront, later moving to the former Niles East High School building and then to the District 219 Administration building. The current Niles Central building opened in the summer of 2026. The two-story, 43,000 square-foot school provides a smaller, therapeutic setting for students who require a structured environment to strengthen their social, emotional and behavioral skills. Using a trauma-informed lens in the design of Niles Central, D219 thoughtfully and intentionally chose the lights, colors, furniture and curved walls to give an organic feel and enhance the therapeutic setting for students.
