About Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL)
Research indicates that students who participate in athletic or activity programs achieve higher grade point averages, miss fewer days of school, and demonstrate more self-confidence. However, each year thousands of Illinois’ at-risk students - those excluded from the educational mainstream due to severe behavioral and emotional issues - are unable to participate in positive, life-enhancing academic and athletic experiences....until CAAEL.
The Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL) was founded in 1976 by John Martin, an alternative school educator who envisioned inclusion for thousands of at-risk students in Illinois who had been excluded from participating in academic, athletic and art programs due to emotional and behavioral problems. For over 40 years, CAAEL has successfully provided a full spectrum of interscholastic programs and annually sponsors over 900 events that emphasize sportsmanship, teamwork and personal responsibility. CAAEL is unique in that it is not an after school program. CAAEL events and activities are directly integrated into each school’s educational curriculum and schedule, with competitions taking place during the school day. Students must meet academic, attendance, and behavioral eligibility criteria in order to participate in CAAEL events, and the criteria resets itself each week. These CAAEL events engage over 5,000 at-risk/special education students in Illinois each year and promote staying in school, which leads to improved academic performance and the development of essential life skills that allow them to become productive members of their communities. Current activities include academic bowls, spelling bees, chess, bowling, basketball, flag football, volleyball, soccer, softball, art, badminton, high ropes courses, archery, long bow, tomahawk throwing, etc.... CAAEL is the only organization providing this broad scope programming for Illinois' growing number of high-risk youth.