Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School

The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School
The front door of the Orthogenic School's former building, with the iconic "yellow door" that has become a trademark of the school.
Address
6245 S. Ingleside Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60637 United States
Coordinates	41°46′51″N 87°36′10″W / 41.780722°N 87.602662°W / 41.780722; -87.602662Coordinates: 41°46′51″N 87°36′10″W / 41.780722°N 87.602662°W / 41.780722; -87.602662
Information
Type	Residential treatment center
Motto	Providing a safe haven and a path to hope
Founded	1915
Grades	6-12
Age	8 to 18
Enrollment	40-60
Average class size	8-10
Student to teacher ratio	4:1
Hours in school day	6
Newspaper	The Yellow Door Chronicles
Information	773-702-1203 ext. 100
Website	website

The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School, also known simply as the Orthogenic School or informally as the O'School, is a residential treatment center and therapeutic school for children and adolescents typically classified as emotionally disturbed. The Orthogenic School specializes in the treatment of youth who have failed in other treatment settings. The school is located on the campus of and is affiliated with the University of Chicago.

The school is able to adequately educate students of above-average intelligence and assist students in pursuing advanced courses on an individual or group basis. Students may also attend local universities or private and public schools on a part-time basis. Currently, the school is able to treat students in an unlocked setting without utilizing seclusion or medical restraint. Dorm counselors, teachers, and teaching assistants typically have a bachelor's degree and experience in working with young people. Typically the staff to student ratio is very high, with an average of two staff members supervising five to eight students at a time, with support of masters-level staff, educational staff, and crisis intervention staff.

While at school the students have contact with a staff of therapists, program managers, special education teachers, art teachers, teaching assistants, and other professionals. Students with appropriate privileges have the opportunity of going out into the community several days a week, with some students able to leave the school on independent outings into the community.

The school has developed a comprehensive transition program for adolescent students leaving for home, college, or independent living. Students in the Transitional Living Center have the support of the school staff, their old dorm staff, and the transitional living staff. They are typically able to go into the community and pursue employment, educational options, and other community activities. Students stay in the transitional program for periods ranging from several months to two years.