Students may also attend local universities or private and public schools on a part-time basis.

Currently, the school is able to treat students in an unlocked setting without utilizing seclusion or medical restraint.

Dorm counselors, teachers, and teaching assistants typically have a bachelor's degree and experience in working with young people.

The school has developed a comprehensive transition program for adolescent students leaving for home, college, or independent living.

Students can participate in as many extracurricular activities as they like, so long as their behavior and academic performance are within acceptable boundaries.

When there was a residential program, the dorm counselors regularly contacted parents and updated them on their child's progress, and students were able to call home at least once a week and can write as often as they wish.

Students who were not able to go home due to distance or behavior were allowed to visit their parents at the school or in the local community.

In this, students can attend the school, in addition to receiving group and individual therapy services, but still live at home.

[4] The well-known and controversial psychoanalytic theorist Bruno Bettelheim served as director of the Orthogenic School during the mid-20th century (1944 to 1973).

Unlike most hospitals and asylums that functioned much like a medical facility, Bettelheim believed that treatment for mental illnesses should be fundamentally different from treating physical ailments.

Counselors also resided with the students in bedrooms adjacent to their respective dormitories to give round-the-clock support.

The counselors, like the students, also attended regular individual and group therapy sessions to allow them to analyze their own methods and thought to improve.

[10] A 1995 article in the UK's The Independent stated that Bettelheim "despite claims to the contrary, possessed no psychology qualifications of any sort.

"[11] A 1997 article in the Chicago Tribune stated, "But when the directorship of the Orthogenic School became available, he evidently gambled that because of the war no one would be able to check on his credentials.

[14][22] A 1990 Chicago Tribune article reported: "Of the 19 alumni of the Orthogenic School interviewed for this story, some are still bitterly angry at Bettelheim, 20 or 30 years after leaving the institution.

"[10] This same article reported abusive treatment, such as:[10] • That Bettelheim pulled an adolescent girl out of a shower and hit and berated her in front of dormitory mates.