CAYR Community Microschool

CAYR Connections is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in Oak Park, Illinois. CAYR stands for “Come As You Are,” which reflects our core values of inclusivity, accessibility, and embracing neurodiversity (i.e., the natural variation of human brains.) The number of people in the US whose brains differ from the norm is estimated to be between 20% and 67%, yet society is still set up in a way that requires neurodivergent individuals (e.g., Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexic, OCD, etc.) to either fit into the “neurotypical” mold or be excluded. 

 

Our goal is to build a better world for people with all kinds of minds by promoting neurodiversity and advocating for increased access to neuro-affirming resources in the greater Chicago area. One way we are doing this is by creating an inclusive educational community in the Oak Park area that will support neurodiverse families raising curious, creative, compassionate humans. 

 

Research shows that our brains are as different as our faces. We believe that the diversity of human brains is an important part of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives, though it is often left out of the conversation. By celebrating differences, focusing on strengths, and embracing challenges, we aim to create an inclusive educational environment that benefits every learner, even nondisabled, typically-developing kids. The CAYR Community School will be a supportive, collaborative environment where everyone can learn from each other. 

 

Learning happens in the context of relationships, and this drives our approach to teaching. Small class sizes and low student to teacher ratios allow for each learner to form strong connections with the teachers, staff, and other students. In order to create an individualized learning experience, teachers can help learners discover what makes them unique, how their brain works, and what supports they might need to learn. We support the whole child – our goal is to foster learners’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

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Want to learn more? Check out this page to learn about our philosophy.