The D38 Home School Enrichment Academy (HSEA) and Transition Services will have new spaces to call home for the 2025-26 school year. The Board of Education approved purchasing a prefabricated building for the homeschool program at their April 22 regular meeting, and Transition Services will move temporarily to a dedicated wing in the new Career & Innovation Center (CIC).
D38 is relocating both programs as the Board unanimously voted to demolish the deteriorating Grace Best Building, where both the HSEA and Transition Services currently operate. The building will come down later this calendar year as it is at the end of its serviceable life.
New Building for HSEA
Home schoolers will settle into a new facility designed with many features on the HSEA community’s wish list. The modern-day “Pod” will feature more than 13,000 square feet of space, including 10 classrooms and a multi-purpose classroom—significantly more space than where they currently operate.
Unlike traditional modulars, the Pod will be built with 2x6 construction, and will be designed to last for 40–50 years. Additionally, the modular will offer flexibility for future expansion as the program grows.
The building is expected to cost approximately $2.53 million, and is an expense that the district can cover in the existing budget.
Most importantly, HSEA’s new home will enable the program to maintain its identity as a unique educational choice for students—something that staff and families value as they continue building the program’s legacy.
"A school is more than just walls and classrooms, it is a place where dreams take root, where curiosity is nurtured, and where a community grows together,” said Julie Jadomski, HSEA Principal. “As we open the doors to our new building and playground, we will celebrate not just the space, but the boundless potential of every student who will learn, play, and thrive here."
Plans are to locate the new Pod adjacent to the district administration building to provide direct access to existing utilities, parking and shared use of the administration building’s Community Room and Learning Center.
District leadership anticipates the building will be ready to welcome students after their post-Labor Day start in fall 2025.
Currently, the Home School Enrichment Academy serves about 160 students. The program supports families of homeschooled students with an array of enrichment activities including music, art, P.E., and drama. Students in grades 6–12 can also participate in elective offerings in subjects like science, history, and literature. Middle and high school students will attend next fall on Wednesdays, and elementary students will use the facility on Thursdays.
A New Opportunity for Transition Services
Transition Services, which serves students ages 18–21, focuses on developing life and vocational skills to help students with special needs prepare for life after high school.
In fall 2025, the program will temporarily relocate to a designated space within the Career & Innovation Center (CIC) for the 2025-26 school year. The move comes as participation in the program is expected to grow. “As we forecast a two-year increase in students, this space will provide ample flexibility to meet the diverse needs of our students as they focus on life skills development and access career development opportunities,” said Danielle Holmes, Director of Special Education.
District administration has been working closely with Transition Services staff and families to determine their new location. After visiting the CIC site, leadership believed this location could help connect students to community services—something their families voiced was important to them. “By moving to the CIC, we can connect students with the community and workforce for hands-on experiences,” Holmes added. “Students in the program won’t always be at the center, but instead on job sites or accessing community resources.”
Moving into space at the new CIC also makes financial sense. “When we weren’t able to locate a building for sale that could meet the needs of these students, we began to look at relocating them to the CIC,” said Melissa Andrews, Director of Planning, Facilities, and Grounds. “Not only would this help support a goal of community connection, but it would provide a new, temporary location rent-free, saving the district money.”
The new space will include two large, multi-purpose rooms that can be configured with flexible furniture to accommodate diverse learning needs. It will also feature a cooking area and laundry facilities to support instruction in independent living skills. “The practical learning space will allow us to demonstrate that we have a focus on life skills development, as well as accessible vocational training,” said Holmes.