School Board approves lease extension for New Trier Transition Center while praising transition services

Four years after New Trier High School’s Transition Center opened in Glencoe, staff and students involved with the center shared its successes with the high school’s School Board on Monday.

Dr. Joanne Panopoulos, assistant superintendent for special education and student services, said that since its opening in 2022 the Transition Center has “significantly expanded our partnerships and real-world vocational opportunities, allowing us to shift from a transitional school-based model to one of comprehensive individualized services.”

The Transition Center, 640 Vernon St. in Glencoe, serves young adults ages 18-21 with disabilities, and according to New Trier’s website, “allows for individualized schedules and real-life learning opportunities. The Transition Services team ensures each young adult builds a presence in their own community.”

In addition to hearing a presentation, the board also unanimously approved a lease extension with Connor-Max for the Transition Center as part of its consent agenda. The original five-year lease goes through March 31, 2027, and, with the extension, will now expire on March 31, 2032.

Kari Nakayama, transitions coordinator with New Trier, said the district began offering transition services in 2009 in two classrooms at the Winnetka campus. It expanded to a three-room suite in 2016 before the off-campus move. She said, as of 2025, 129 young adults have participated in the Transition Center, an average of approximately 35 per year.

Special education teacher Anna Dowling, who teaches in the Transition Center, said the services focus on planning for the future of those it services, including “employment, independent living skills, socialization (and) education.”

She added that every participant has their own transition service plan, which looks different for each student.

“We have some young adults who may go to the Transition Center every day if that’s what we need, and then we have some who may come once a week,” Dowling said.

The Transition Center includes a kitchen, a recreation area, the One Stop Trev Shop and a classroom, according to the staff.

During the presentation, Dowling highlighted photos showing the students and what they do at the center.

“You’re seeing laundry, different cooking experiences, students doing some yardwork,” she said, all of which includes the “hands-on learning experience” the Transition Center provides.

In addition to the benefits within the facility, the center’s location in Glencoe’s business district provides opportunities for students as well.

One way, according to staff, is having a grocery store within walking distance so students can shop.

“Our students are able to walk to the grocery store and then actually meal prep in our kitchen that we have,” Dowling said.

The teachers also said partnerships with local government, businesses and organizations have benefitted students, such as the one with The Writers Theatre, which Dowling said allows the Transition Center to hold events, including a talent show last year.

“Also, they have events for the Writers Theatre that they’ve asked our students to be ushers for and help out with that,” she added. “That’s been a great opportunity for them.”

Glencoe School District 35 has also provided opportunities.

“Students have a lot of vocational training experiences there,” Dowling said. “And we have students who have turned it to paid job experiences going there as well.”

Board members also heard from students who are involved in the Transition Center.

Vincent Lysaught-Lim said he has appreciated the opportunity to do hands-on work, including building a rocking chair, while Matty Schultz said many of the businesses in town know the students from their frequent interactions.

Regarding the future of the Transition Center, staff said one goal is to continue educating families and the community about the purpose of transition services, highlighting that it is not a program but a service.

Other goals are expanding community connections, which may include local colleges and same-aged peers, in addition to creating connections to post-secondary settings.

Nakayama said the Transition Center has been beneficial to the students who utilize it.

“These real-world experiences are not as accessible to us when we were in the building,” she said. “And now we’re out all over the place.”

She added, “From the start, we’ve had a really, really great welcoming from the city of Glencoe and the community in general.”

Board members praised both the students and staff for their work.

“I so appreciate the thoughtful, student-centered approach that you all take with this,” board member Courtney McDonough said to the staff. “The work that you do is amazing.”

Board member Kimberly Alcantara thanked the students for speaking as well.

“We really appreciate and value your time and your enthusiasm in sharing your experiences with us,” she said. “We always say that we learn the most when the students come. … It’s super helpful for us in assessing the progress of the (transitions) program and the Transition Center.”

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