Great Hearts Christos is committed to working with families in pursuit of what we consider to be our moral obligation – to provide access to a classical, Christian education to the broadest number of children possible. Decisions about the services and supports we can provide will be made on a case-by-case basis, considering each child’s strengths and needs in light of the resources that the school and family are able to bring to bear.
Admission will ultimately be based on the extent to which our combined resources can help your child succeed. Your communication to us about your child’s needs and submission of records and testing information will help us better determine if our campus is the right fit for your scholar.
In short, no. Parent-placed students with disabilities at private schools who are eligible for services in a public school (District or Charter) are not served through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Accommodation Plan. They instead are served through an accommodation and support plan developed between Great Hearts Christos and the parent.
These plans are created by private school staff together with a family to provide supports for a student with disabilities. What each plan provides depends on what each student needs, the resources available, and the priorities identified by the team. The services might include services in a specific area of learning and/or related services provided by a professional, such as an occupational, physical, or speech-language therapist.
The rights of families and students with disabilities in private schools and public schools differ substantially. No parentally-placed private school child with a disability has an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and related services that the child would receive if enrolled in a public school. Children with disabilities (or suspected as having disabilities) do have a right to evaluation and potential access to certain services through funding provided to the state. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in schools and requires reasonable accommodations and modifications to ensure equal access and effective communication.
Students placed in private schools are protected in their right to be evaluated if there is reason to believe a disabling condition might impact how they learn and participate in school. These evaluations can be coordinated through the public school district in which the private school is located. For more information on how Great Hearts Christos plans to include students with disabilities in their offering, please contact Tom Doebler (tdoebler@greatheartsamerica.org).
Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Submit your application to Great Hearts Christos before space fills up.