As a freshman in high school, Kat Oleksa suffered from depression and anxiety. Her grades dropped, and she lost friends. Hoping for a fresh start, she transferred to Logos School her sophomore year. “It was the perfect match from the moment I got here,” says Kat, now a senior. The 17-year-old credits Logos’ therapeutic approach for her academic, social and emotional transformation. “I used to have my head down in classes and was always stressed about going to school. Now, I look forward to coming to school.”
Logos has helped students turn struggles into strengths for 45 years, says head of school Kathy Boyd-Fenger. “We provide a place where kids who had difficulties in previous school settings can refocus on their goals and get remotivated about their future.” The school offers a year-round program with an individualized education plan for each student and a 6-to-1 student-teacher ratio. “Our students get a high level of attention, which helps them experience academic success when before, they may have struggled,” Boyd-Fenger says. “They start thinking about their dreams, whether it’s going to college or pursuing a certain career.”
Every student at Logos is assigned a licensed therapist and receives an hour of individual therapy and two hours of group therapy each week. There are also skills-based sessions each week where students learn about topics like mindfulness and anger management. “There’s always a therapist available for students,” says adolescent therapist Deb Brisco. “Our therapy doesn’t stop at the end of the school day. We’re on call. If there’s a crisis, we’re available.” The depth and breadth of therapeutic options at Logos appeals to Oleksa. “It’s nice to talk about your problems with someone who will listen,” she says. “My public school counselors had so many students on their caseload, but here the therapists know us individually.”
Art is also a huge component of Logos’ therapy program, Boyd-Fenger says. Student artwork lines the hallways, and several of Oleksa’s paintings were featured at the school’s annual fundraising gala last month. “It was cool to have my art recognized,” the teen says. “Art helps me express myself and gives me a sense of accomplishment.” Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities that can build self-esteem, Boyd-Fenger says, including team sports and atypical elective classes, such as dancing and cooking.
The innovative combination of academics and therapy has a 45-year track record of success, Boyd- Fenger says. “Success is graduating with a high school diploma or coming here to gain the skills needed to go back to a traditional school and do well.” Ninety-eight percent of Logos students graduate, and 92 percent go on to postsecondary education, she says. Before Logos, Oleksa says she didn’t see college in her future, but now she plans to attend community college for two years and then study psychology and art at a university. “I want to work at a place like Logos or be an art therapist,” she says. “I feel like I have people who believe in me now, and I finally believe in myself too.”
[Logos School, located at 9137 Old Bonhomme Road, provides innovative education and therapy for struggling students and their families. Pictured on the cover, seated: Clinical director Collin Miller (middle) with students Noah and Abby. Standing: Joe Pangelinan, therapist and director of student retention (middle), with students AJ and Claire.]
Pictured: Kat Oleksa and therapist Deb Brisco
Photos: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Cover design by Jon Fogel
