College Living Experience is a college program for students with special needs
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CLE is a college program for students in Illinois with special needsArts, Recreation and Sports Make Chicago a World-Class Student Destination

Under Chicago’s celebrated urban skyline, cultural and recreational activities abound, providing college transition experiences for students with ADD, Asperger’s Syndrome, autism, nonverbal learning disorder and learning disabilities.

With two major league baseball teams, as well as professional football, basketball and hockey teams, College Living Experience (CLE) students in Chicago have no shortage of choices for recreational experiences. Hundreds of lakefront parks, gardens and nature preserves, along with the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry round out Chicago’s cultural and leisure offerings. Many special needs students enjoy taking in the sights and tastes of community celebrations and neighborhood festivals, as well as diverse theatrical offerings. Michigan Avenue’s famous shopping and dining district appeals to just about anyone, while the city’s world renowned jazz and blues festivals fuel Chicago’s reputation as one of America’s most appealing cities. It is an ideal location for students with special needs to develop their social and independent living skills while attending a college program.

Excellent Higher Education Choices
CLE-Chicago is neighbor to two-year colleges and certificate programs such as:

Public transit also opens up a world of educational opportunities including:

And many other education institutions and college programs for students with special needs

CLE is a college program for students with special needs in ChicagoConvenient Setting
Both CLE and the CLE student apartments are located just 20 minutes from the downtown Loop and are easily accessible from O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway Airport. With convenient access to public transportation, CLE residences facilitate independent living for students with special needs while giving students access to conveniences such as grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants and shopping destinations — all of which are located within walking distance of the CLE student apartments.

Residence Features
The convenient suburban location of CLE-Chicago promotes independent living in spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments. Students live in the modern, inviting Maple Grove apartments just a few blocks from Northwestern University in downtown Evanston, which allows them to enjoy all the dining, shopping and cultural events both the city and the university have to offer. The building features a fitness center and a laundry. The YMCA is right across the street and public transportation to downtown Chicago and the suburbs is nearby. A resident advisor and other CLE staff members facilitate tutoring, recreational and social activities, and help students develop independent living skills as they transition to college and independent adulthood.