Placement Outside of the Public School Setting

Sometimes a public school district does not have an appropriate setting for a student and their special needs. When this happens, it is possible that a school district will propose a non-public school setting for
the student.

What is a non-public school setting?
A non-public school setting is one that specializes in the various needs of our students who require special education services. These school are often referred to as NPS placements. At an NPS placement, a student will be working with, and interacting with, only other students who share the same or a similar type of disability as they do. Very often a non-public school setting does not offer a student access to their typical peers.

What types of non-public schools are available?
The types of non-public school curriculums available to a student will often be dependent upon what is available in their geographic area. Every area is different so it is important to parents to do some research as to the types of NPS available in your local region. There are a variety of NPS placements that might be more appropriate for your student than a public-school campus. Some of these types of schools specialize in the following student needs;

• Specific Learning Disabilities including dyslexia, dysgraphia etc.
• Behavior issues
• Special Day classrooms for students who require a functional skill program
• Mental heath concerns
• Students with austism

It is important to remember that a NPS must be appropriate for meeting the student’s disabilities and needs. An NPS cannot be chosen simply based upon location and/or available student space.

What happens to my student’s IEP when they are moved to an NPS?

Before transferring a student to an NPS placement, the IEP team must have an IEP in place to travel with the student to the new school. When developing this new IEP there must be someone present from the
NPS to participate in the development of the IEP.

Once your student is enrolled and attending the NPS, the new school must also hold an IEP meeting to review and possibly alter and/or amend the incoming IEP. While your student is now attending a school outside of the public-school district, the district must still be involved and included in any decisions made by the NPS in relation to the student’s IEP. In addition, even though the student is attending an
NPS, the public school district will remain responsible for compliance with the IEP. Hence, it is important and necessary that the public school district remain a part of the IEP team.