WCCUSD for Learning Differences
I have a second grader and I am looking for a public school in West Contra Costa Unified School District for my daughter. We have identified several learning differences and need a school that can make appropriate accommodations with or without an IEP. So far she has not qualified for any services under an IEP (although outside professionals say that she should). We need a school that can work with a bright energetic girl that needs to move her body, support with social cues, support with learning differences, and sensory integration challenges. I would love to know if anyone has any experiences with Kensington Hilltop in regards to learning differences and/ or social emotional support. We are zoned to Hilltop, but would attempt to transfer to which ever school in WCCUSD is best for learning differences.
Thank you
Parent Replies
I have a fifth grader with an IEP at Fairmont, our neighborhood school. He's had it for two years, and a 504 for a year before that. Fairmont hosts the EC family of elementary schools special ed program as well as being a full inclusion school, so we have felt like once he got "in the system" there has been a ton of support from the teachers as well as the special ed staff on site. I would say there is a relatively high level of tolerance of students with differences, whatever that may be, because there are many on campus, both mainstreamed and in the special day class. I have heard from other parents that their children with significant-level IEPs zoned for other schools in EC have been directed to Fairmont, explicitly or implicitly.
I will say that if you don't have a 504 or IEP, you really should pursue that because otherwise you are asking a LOT of the school and teachers, especially if you are new to the school. I don't know what you mean by "outside professionals say she should". I would contact DREDF for an appointment with one of their counselors and review the process for initiating a 504/IEP evaluation request. It may be that she has lots of differences but doesn't meet the legal threshold for an IEP/504, and then you might be better off staying where you are already in school and working with the team you know. Keep in mind the class sizes in the WCCUSD are large.