Since our inception in 1996, Giant Steps has been focused on providing education, therapeutic and recreational programs for Elementary, Junior High and High School students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), their families and the community.
Giant Steps is currently designated as a therapeutic day school in the State of Illinois licensed and certified to exclusively serve students with a primary diagnosis of autism.
Our goal is to improve a child's ability to interact, communicate, and develop academic and daily living skills through a one-on-one integrated approach.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Special Education School
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 111 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
Year Founded
1996
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
111 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
56%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
25 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.:
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Application URL
School Notes
- School Motto: 'Equipping and empowering students to be academically successful and to independently participate in their community to the fullest extent possible both now and into adulthood.'
- Since our inception in 1996, Giant Steps has been focused on providing education, therapeutic and recreational programs for Elementary, Junior High and High School students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), their families and the community. Giant Steps is currently designated as a therapeutic day school in the State of Illinois licensed and certified to exclusively serve students with a primary diagnosis of autism. Our goal is to improve a child's ability to interact, communicate, and develop academic and daily living skills through a one-on-one integrated approach.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for Giant Steps Illinois?
The application deadline for Giant Steps Illinois is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Giant Steps Illinois also viewed these schools: High Road Of Naperville, Acacia Academy, Clare Woods Academy, Laureate Day School and The Winston Knolls School.
The nearest high school to Giant Steps Illinois is Benet Academy (2.0 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Dupage Montessori School (1.4 miles away)
The nearest preschool is A Generation Ahead Child Care/learning Center (1.1 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
High Road Of Naperville
Special Education School
1220 Bond St
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 355-0200
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 355-0200
5.3 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 84 students Tuition listed
Acacia Academy ![Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.]( "Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.")
Special Education School
6425 Willow Springs Rd
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
11.3 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 91 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
125 E. Seminary Ave.
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 289-4221
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 289-4221
4 miles
Gr: Inquire with school | 92 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Laureate Day School
Special Education School
2525 E Oakton St
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 956-7912
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 956-7912
16.7 miles
Gr: 2-8 | 56 students
The Winston Knolls School
Special Education School
2353 Hassell Rd #110, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(630) 283-3221
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(630) 283-3221
17 miles
Gr: 2-12 | 36 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
High Road Of Naperville
Special Education School
1220 Bond St
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 355-0200
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 355-0200
5.3 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 84 students Tuition listed
Acacia Academy ![Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.]( "Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.")
Special Education School
6425 Willow Springs Rd
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
11.3 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 91 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
The Winston Knolls School
Special Education School
2353 Hassell Rd #110, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(630) 283-3221
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(630) 283-3221
17 miles
Gr: 2-12 | 36 students
Wheaton Academy ![Wheaton Academy Photo - Wheaton Academy Campus]( "Wheaton Academy Photo - Wheaton Academy Campus")
(Christian)
900 Prince Crossing Rd
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 562-7500
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 562-7500
6.8 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 667 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 28 Tuition listed
Joseph Academy-melrose Park
Special Education School
1100 N 22nd Av
Melrose Park, IL 60160
(708) 345-4500
Melrose Park, IL 60160
(708) 345-4500
13.8 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 77 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
High Road Of Naperville
Special Education School
1220 Bond St
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 355-0200
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 355-0200
5.3 miles
Gr: 1-12 | 84 students Tuition listed
Acacia Academy ![Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.]( "Acacia Academy Photo - Offering a variety of year-round and summer programs designed to meet each student's learning objectives in terms of his/her learning capabilities.AdvancED accredited school in the La Grange, IL area. Illinois State Board of Education approved for out-of-district placement for special education.")
Special Education School
6425 Willow Springs Rd
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
La Grange, IL 60525
(708) 579-9040
11.3 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 91 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition listed
Laureate Day School
Special Education School
2525 E Oakton St
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 956-7912
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847) 956-7912
16.7 miles
Gr: 2-8 | 56 students
The Winston Knolls School
Special Education School
2353 Hassell Rd #110, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(630) 283-3221
Schaumburg, IL 60173
(630) 283-3221
17 miles
Gr: 2-12 | 36 students
Joseph Academy-melrose Park
Special Education School
1100 N 22nd Av
Melrose Park, IL 60160
(708) 345-4500
Melrose Park, IL 60160
(708) 345-4500
13.8 miles
Gr: 4-12 | 77 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
A Generation Ahead Child Care/learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
2055 Burlington Ave
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 271-1025
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 271-1025
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-K | 89 students
1111 E Warrenville Rd
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 369-6899
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 369-6899
1.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 325 students Avg. class size: 20 students Extracurrculars: 6 Acceptance rate listed
Chesterbrook Academy ![Chesterbrook Academy Photo]( "Chesterbrook Academy Photo")
Daycare / Preschool
275 W Loop Rd
Wheaton, IL 60189
(484) 939-8305
Wheaton, IL 60189
(484) 939-8305
1.5 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 46 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Wheaton KinderCare ![Wheaton KinderCare Photo - Wheaton KinderCare]( "Wheaton KinderCare Photo - Wheaton KinderCare")
Daycare / Preschool
100 E Loop Rd
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 690-4848
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 690-4848
1.5 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 32 students
Chesterbrook Academy ![Chesterbrook Academy Photo]( "Chesterbrook Academy Photo")
Daycare / Preschool
4622 Lacey Ave
Lisle, IL 60532
(773) 916-5596
Lisle, IL 60532
(773) 916-5596
1.7 miles
Gr: PK-K | 49 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Benet Academy
(Catholic)
2200 Maple Ave
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 719-2782
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 719-2782
2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,265 students Avg. class size: 24 students Tuition listed
Chesterton Academy Of The Holy Family
(Catholic)
5205 Kingston Ave
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 518-8383
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 518-8383
2.2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 138 students
335 East Seminary Ave
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 547-5125
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 547-5125
3.5 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 126 students Avg. class size: 14 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Brightmont Academy - Naperville ![Brightmont Academy - Naperville Photo - Brightmont Academy Naperville offers one-to-one learning with personalized instruction tailored to each student's goals and pace.]( "Brightmont Academy - Naperville Photo - Brightmont Academy Naperville offers one-to-one learning with personalized instruction tailored to each student's goals and pace.")
Special Program Emphasis
445 Jackson Ave.
Naperville, IL 60540
(331) 260-0334
Naperville, IL 60540
(331) 260-0334
3.8 miles
Gr: 1-12 Avg. class size: 1 student Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Francis High School
(Catholic)
2130 W Roosevelt Rd
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 668-5800
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 668-5800
3.8 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 697 students Avg. class size: 23 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
1111 E Warrenville Rd
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 369-6899
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 369-6899
1.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 325 students Avg. class size: 20 students Extracurrculars: 6 Acceptance rate listed
Kids Kampus
Daycare / Preschool
603 E Diehl Rd
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 577-0046
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 577-0046
1.9 miles
Gr: NS-7 | 85 students
4913 Columbia Avenue
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 969-1732
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 969-1732
1.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 385 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. James The Apostle School
(Catholic)
490 S Park Blvd
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 469-8060
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 469-8060
3.1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 221 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 5 Tuition listed
201 E Franklin Ave
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 355-0113
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 355-0113
3.3 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 415 students Avg. class size: 25 students Sports: 5 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
A Generation Ahead Child Care/learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
2055 Burlington Ave
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 271-1025
Lisle, IL 60532
(630) 271-1025
1.1 miles
Gr: PK-K | 89 students
1111 E Warrenville Rd
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 369-6899
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 369-6899
1.4 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 325 students Avg. class size: 20 students Extracurrculars: 6 Acceptance rate listed
Chesterbrook Academy ![Chesterbrook Academy Photo]( "Chesterbrook Academy Photo")
Daycare / Preschool
275 W Loop Rd
Wheaton, IL 60189
(484) 939-8305
Wheaton, IL 60189
(484) 939-8305
1.5 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 46 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Wheaton KinderCare ![Wheaton KinderCare Photo - Wheaton KinderCare]( "Wheaton KinderCare Photo - Wheaton KinderCare")
Daycare / Preschool
100 E Loop Rd
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 690-4848
Wheaton, IL 60189
(630) 690-4848
1.5 miles
Gr: NS-PK | 32 students
Chesterbrook Academy ![Chesterbrook Academy Photo]( "Chesterbrook Academy Photo")
Daycare / Preschool
4622 Lacey Ave
Lisle, IL 60532
(773) 916-5596
Lisle, IL 60532
(773) 916-5596
1.7 miles
Gr: PK-K | 49 students
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Alternative School
44w625 Plato Rd # R
Burlington, IL 60109
(847) 464-6000
Burlington, IL 60109
(847) 464-6000
9173.9 miles
Gr: 9-12
(Math: 39% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
44w625 Plato Rd
Burlington, IL 60109
(847) 464-6030
Burlington, IL 60109
(847) 464-6030
9173.9 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,575 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
(Math: 51% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
44w303 Plato Rd
Burlington, IL 60109
(847) 464-6000
Burlington, IL 60109
(847) 464-6000
9173.9 miles
Gr: 8 | 418 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5n720 Il Route 47
Maple Park, IL 60151
(847) 464-6011
Maple Park, IL 60151
(847) 464-6011
9174.1 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 275 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
(Math: 32% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
44w575 Plato Rd
Burlington, IL 60109
(847) 464-6008
Burlington, IL 60109
(847) 464-6008
9174.2 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 678 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
School Reviews
5 2/27/2020
Giant Steps is Godsend, full of Angels for teachers. My son has absolutely thrived here. I cannot do it, without them! This school is phenomenal!
Endorse Giant Steps Illinois. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Ask Current Parents What Admissions Won't Answer
Learn how to ask current private school parents revealing questions about culture, academics, communication, costs, discipline, and community life before deciding whether a school truly fits your family well.
When School Anxiety Is Really a School Fit Problem
Learn when school anxiety may signal a poor school fit, how parents can identify academic or social mismatches, and when changing private schools deserves serious consideration for families today.
Will My Child Find Their People? Evaluating School Culture
Learn how to evaluate private school culture, student belonging, friendships, teacher relationships, social dynamics, and authentic community fit so your child can find the right place to thrive and connect.
