Big things are happening at CHS! We are expanding our services to the northeastern corner of the state with a new therapeutic day school in Aberdeen. This exciting expansion marks a new chapter for CHS as we grow our impact and bring specialized services to more children and families across South Dakota.
The new school will provide education alongside therapeutic services for students ages 4 to 14 who have experienced emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges related to childhood trauma, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, reactive attachment disorder, abuse and neglect, anxiety disorders, aggression and other parent-child challenges. These experiences can significantly affect a student’s ability to succeed in a traditional classroom setting.
“We are excited to bring a day school to Aberdeen and expand our services to more children and families who need extra help to thrive,” said President and CEO Michelle Lavallee. “At CHS, we specialize in providing curriculum that blends academic instruction, special education, behavioral support and therapeutic services within the school day. The goal of our education program is not to replace services provided by public schools, but rather to complement them. We want to give kids the tools they need to successfully transition back to their home school.”
In May, we received grant funding from the South Dakota Department of Education to support the development of the Aberdeen therapeutic day school. The idea for the program grew from conversations between CHS and the Department of Education, Aberdeen Area School District, local business leaders, community organizations and state lawmakers, including State Representative Lana Greenfield, who sponsored legislation that established grant funding for the program.
“This project started with people around the table asking how we could better support kids,” said Business Development Officer Dr. Mike Groher. “School, business and state leaders, along with CHS, all recognized a need and were willing to work together to come up with a solution. That’s what makes this project so exciting—it’s the result of the community coming together to create something that will make a real difference for these students.”
We are currently finalizing a lease agreement for our future home on the third floor of the Blackstone Building at 14 South Main Street in downtown Aberdeen. Over the coming months, we will equip the school, recruit an initial team of three staff members, and continue working with our educational and community partners to prepare for welcoming students in January 2027.
The news is already being well received by the public. View Dakota News Now, KELOLAND and the Aberdeen Insider’s coverage below.
Dakota News Now: https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2026/08/13/childrens-home-society-brings-therapeutic-day-school-aberdeen/
KELO: https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/therapeutic-day-school-to-open-in-aberdeen/
Aberdeen Insider: https://aberdeeninsider.com/alternative-setting-day-school-will-open-in-aberdeen-in-january/