NCYAA
NCYAA News & Updates
College Financial Aid Resources for Families
YouTube Live: FAFSA Follow Up - Understanding Financial Aid Offers. Did your child complete a financial aid application for college and now you're wondering about their eligibility and the required follow up steps? Join the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) for a YouTube Live session where ISAC's Parent Outreach Coordinator, Claudia Aly, will discuss financial aid offers, also known as award letters, and explain what they are and when to expect them. This session will provide guidance on understanding the different types of financial aid your student may qualify for, including scholarships, grants, and loans. Whether your child has already submitted their financial aid application or you’re just starting to explore options, this is a great opportunity to ask questions. Visit ISAC's YouTube channel to find the link for the session that works for you (as well as recordings of past sessions):
- Thursday, February 27, 5:30-6pm (English)
- Thursday, February 27, 6:30-7pm (Spanish)
Free Financial Aid Application Resources. With students now able to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) for the 2025-26 cycle, ISACorps™ of near peer mentors are available to assist students and families with their financial aid applications. Students can book a virtual one-on-one meeting with an ISACorps™ staff member using the ISAC Booking page at www.isac.org/booking. They can book a virtual meeting up to 7 days in advance, and there's an option to meet with a Spanish-speaking ISACorps™ member if they prefer.
PowerSchool Cybersecurity Incident
NCYAA has provided this message to staff and families about the PowerSchool cybersecurity incident.
North Cook Young Adult Academy (NCYAA) educates students in one of two distinct programs:
- Regional Safe School Program (RSSP): RSSP serves students from Grades 6-12 who have had multiple suspensions or are pending expulsion from their home school.
- Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (ALOP): ALOP offers flexible educational programs and services to meet the complex needs of students. The objective is to offer additional tiered support that follows a school's continuum of services in an environment that is more flexible and adaptable for the students.
NCYAA is dedicated to providing a positive, safe, inclusive learning environment for all students. Goals of both programs include increasing graduation rates, increasing student attendance & participation, increasing credit attainment, improving family engagement, increasing job-related skills, and improving copy strategies.
Both the RSSP and the ALOP are regular education programs that follow a comprehensive curriculum similar to the home school district, with differentiated instruction that is centered around a student’s individual differences and learning styles. Social-emotional growth is an important aspect of each program. Class sizes do not exceed 10 students in most cases. NCYAA also provides resources and services, such as planning and goal-setting, counseling, job-related services, and social-emotional learning, along with individual and group support. We offer a team approach in our programs. There is regular, ongoing communication between NCYAA staff, parents/guardians, the student, and the home school.
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School Administration
Jeremy Paul
NCYAA Principal of Operations
jpaul@ncisc.org
847-803-3707
Nataly Lopez-Diaz
NCYAA Principal of Instructional Programming
nlopezdiaz@ncisc.org
847-803-3702
Staff Directory
Hours
Staff: 7:15 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Students: 8:45 a.m.–2:25 p.m.
Phone
847-803-3709
Referral & Intake
Students are referred to NCYAA for placement from their home school district for a variety of reasons, often in lieu of school suspension or expulsion. NCYAA is an ideal solution for students who need an alternative educational experience with extra resources and support that increases their opportunity for success.
Once referred to NCYAA, our Principal or Intake Counselor will set up an Alternate Planning Meeting (AEP) or Student Success Planning Meeting (SSP) to explain the program, discuss goals and the student's schedule, and to sign necessary documents for enrollment. District representatives are encouraged to participate in that meeting to increase the opportunities for success and to reassure the student and their family that the alternate placement is an extension of the student's home school experience.
Upon enrollment, the intake counselor will conduct a Clinical Interview to gain a better understanding of the student, his or her success plan, and how best to support the student during placement.
Each student's educational program is customized to maximize his or her opportunity for success. Classes begin as soon as possible after the AEP or SSP meeting to avoid disruption in the education process for the student.
Please note: North Cook does not take private placements; all students must be referred by one of its serving districts. A referral form must be completed with necessary uploaded documentation. Please complete either the NCYAA RSSP Referral Form or the On-Site ALOP Referral Form. After approval, student start dates are determined by the schedule below:
All credits earned by students at NCYAA are transferred to their home school district. More than 80% of students sent to NCYAA successfully transition back to their home school or graduate. North Cook Young Adult Academy empowers students to develop respect and responsibility for themselves and their communities. A focus of each program is for students to become lifelong learners and active contributors to their community.