Admissions Director: John Conway
E-mail: jconway@edgelearningcommunity.com
Executive Director: Jason Wynkoop
Academic Director: Brittany Williams
Clinical Director: Jason Wynkoop
Milieu Director: Jason Wynkoop
Year Founded: 2011
Category: Transition/ Step Down
Optimum Size: 16
Annual Number Of Students: 30-40
Average Length Of Stay: 7-9 months (we ask for a 6 month commitment).

Admissions Policy:

Year-Round Rolling Admissions. Enrollment decisions are contingent on submission of our online application and an assessment interview (in person or over the phone.)

Appropriate Student/ Resident:

EDGE is a wellness community in Chicago committed to supporting college students striving for academic and social success.

Gender: Co-Ed - 50% Male, 50% Female

Age Range: 18 - 24

Program Description:

EDGE is a substance-free, co-educational young adult transition program with an emphasis on college-level learning and holistic wellness. With a limit of 16 students, EDGE provides a nurturing community that emphasizes connection and relationship as well as a high degree of individual support and accountability. EDGE students take classes at or pursue admission to any of the more than 20 colleges and universities within 5 miles of the program. Each student works with a life coach and a learning coordinator in the program in addition to outpatient therapy (either provided within the program or from an outside therapist).

Staff to Student Ratio: 1:1 clinical and therapeutic services as well as access to live-in staff, as needed.

Clinical Description:

EDGE provides roughly 15-20 hours of clinical, therapeutic and recreational programming per week. Students are expected to fill the remaining time with school, part-time employment and/or volunteerism.

Psychotropic Medications Allowed?: Yes

Policy: Students should be able to self-administer their own medication.

Academic Description:

Students meet with their learning coordinator as needed for support in academics; scheduling, advising, mentoring and coaching.

Upscale, contemporary, fully furnished and appointed apartment living in the "Loop" of Chicago. All students live on the same (3rd) floor, along with "live-in" staff. There is a learning center on the same floor where staff and students meet throughout the week, as well as a rooftop deck overlooking the city (24th floor) and an on-site fitness center and movie theater (6th floor).

Families are encouraged and expected to be involved through parent weekends (several times throughout the year) and receive professional parent coaching, as well as frequent updates from our executive/clinical director on student progress. Because of the nature of our program, parents and students are in contact with one another regularly.

We offer "Alumni Services" for 3 months (more can be arranged, as needed) post successful graduation from EDGE.

In process. Current data shows 85% of all EDGE students go on to independent living following their time at EDGE and continue to be living independently six months post-discharge. Over 90% of EDGE students who finish the program successfully continue to have success in independent living twelve months post-completion.

Spiritual Development: N/A

Summer/ Adjunct Program: Outpatient counseling services can be provided on-site from EDGE therapists or from off site therapists and/or practices. Tuition, books and fees associated with the student's college or university are not included.

Professional Affiliations: NATSAP, COA, AEE

Accreditation, Licensure, Approved: COA

Payment Category: 100‰ Private pay. Families may seek reimbursement for clinical therapy services offered on-site (not included in the tuition).

For more information about EDGE Learning and Wellness Collegiate Community,
visit www.edgelearningcommunity.com.