Camelot Oak Park TDS Celebrates first High School Graduate – Christopher Abinader

Camelot of Oak Park is ending its second year of operation with its first high school graduate, Christopher Abinader.

This is a major step for Chris who had to drop out of school in his freshman year after being bullied throughout the year at the first high school he attended. After that, he attended a therapeutic boarding school in Georgia, and then a public school in Chicago before spending the last two years at Camelot. Teachers and staff at Camelot do not allow bullying and stress respect for others as part of the Camelot culture.

“It’s a great program. I like the structure,” Chris says. “The teachers consider everyone’s needs. They try to mold the lesson to the student’s interests.”

Chris’ social worker calls the 18 year old easy going, confident, independent and a natural leader. Chris recently began a part-time job as a cashier at Panera Bread and says he wants to follow his parents into the business world. His dad has an MBA and his mom is a hospital executive.

Chris has been accepted into Wright College in Chicago. He plans to major in business administration. He’s also considering attending NortheasternIllinois University and is awaiting a reply to his application. He’s looking at Southern Illinois University Carbondale as well because that school specializes in programs for students with learning disorders, although you wouldn’t know by interacting with the engaging young man that he has a learning issue.

“It doesn’t normally show but I can get frustrated and can’t really sit down for extended periods; it’s sort of an attention thing. When those situations occur, I draw or write what I’m feeling at the time and that works as a segue to get back to work,” he says.

Camelot of Oak Park, just outside Chicago, serves 50 students at all grade levels.

“Our goal at Camelot is to help prepare our students to be as independent and self-reliant as possible,” says Oak Park’s principal Nicole Davenport. “We strive to assist students in developing skills and coping strategies that they can utilize in the real world.  Chris is an example of a student who worked very hard and evolved into a young adult with goals and dreams.  Now, he is ready to take the steps necessary to move to the next chapter of his life.  This chapter will require him to utilize the skills and strategies he learned during his educational career.”

So aside from teaching math to his classmates and becoming a leader at his school, what will Chris’ favorite memory be from his time at Camelot?

“I really like ‘Fabulous Fridays.’ It’s kind of easier to get through the week knowing that on Friday afternoon you get to wind down on a field trip or playing video games. I’m going to miss that!”