Powerful winds on Friday peeled part of the roof off Walsh Academy, a special-education high school in Niles, forcing an early end to the school day and sending students home while crews checked the damage. School leaders reported no injuries, and staff moved quickly to secure the area and begin assessing the rooftop. Families and employees were notified early that the campus would stay closed while hazards were evaluated.
School closure and response
In a statement, Walsh Academy said the building at 6935 West Touhy Avenue is closed "due to weather-related damage" and that "the safety of our students and staff is our priority," as reported by FOX 32 Chicago. According to the station, administrators canceled classes for the day while crews inspected the roof and surrounding grounds. School officials said they would keep families updated as they learn more about the extent of the damage and any next steps.
High wind warning for the Chicago area
The National Weather Service had a High Wind Warning in effect for much of the region until 4 p.m., calling for west winds of 30 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, conditions that can strip roofing material and knock down tree limbs, according to the National Weather Service. The agency warned that damaging winds could trigger power outages and make travel hazardous for high-profile vehicles. Residents were urged to steer clear of windows and to tie down or bring inside any loose outdoor items.
About Walsh Academy
Walsh Academy, a program of Maryville, opened its Niles campus in 2023 as a career-focused special education high school serving students ages 14–22; per the Walsh Academy website, the campus is located at 6935 W. Touhy Ave. The school’s site also directs families to emergency-closing resources for status updates and local station listings. Administrators have asked families to keep an eye on school communication channels for word on when in-person classes will resume.
What parents should know
Officials said it was not yet clear whether classes would be back on by Monday and urged parents to monitor the school’s notifications and local media for rollout plans, per FOX 32 Chicago. For weather safety information and the latest advisories, the National Weather Service page remains the go-to source. Crews on site were expected to secure any remaining hazards before students are allowed to return.
