Exceptional Student Services

Leona Group Schools makes special education and related services available to all students. Our teachers are trained to teach to diverse learning styles and ability levels. Our schools believe in close collaboration between general education teachers, special education teachers, staff, and parents — producing the best possible learning outcomes for our exceptional students. For more information about our special education programs, please contact the school’s special education department.

Students suspected of having a disability may be referred to the school’s Exceptional Student Services Coordinator, School Leader, or the Director of Exceptional Student Services by the parent or school staff for further evaluation. Evaluations will be conducted pursuant to the requirements under ADA Section 504 and/or IDEA. For information on the school’s evaluation procedures under Section 504 or IDEA, contact the School Leader or the Director of Exceptional Student Services at 602-953-2933.

In compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Leona Group managed schools are required to locate and provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for all enrolled students with disabilities. The following child find activities are conducted to locate enrolled students with disabilities:

• Review of school records (from prior schools and school of current enrollment)
• Screening within 45 days of enrollment in: vision, hearing, motor skills, speech, language, cognitive ability, academic, and social-emotional development
• Referral of children suspected of having a disability age birth to three to the Arizona Early Intervention Program, and children age three to five (not yet enrolled in school) to the appropriate state or community agencies
• Information about concerns and student progress provided to parent(s) in writing
• If appropriate, referral of the child for evaluation and/or other appropriate services

All referrals are considered confidential, and services are provided at no cost. The parent, legal guardian, or surrogate parent retains the right to refuse services and is provided other procedural safeguards under federal and state law. A free appropriate public education with a full continuum of services is available for eligible students with disabilities. If you suspect that your child has a disability and is eligible for services under ADA Section 504 or IDEA, or have questions about child find activities, contact the school’s exceptional student services coordinator or the school leader — or the Director of Exceptional Student Services at 602-953-2933.

Parents of a student with a disability (or suspected of having a disability) are entitled to a Procedural Safeguards Notice, which explains the rights of the parent and student to ensure they are protected through the special education process. A copy is offered to parents once annually and in specific instances; copies are always available by contacting the School Office and on this page below.

Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Leona Group managed schools have a duty to identify, refer, evaluate and, if eligible, provide a free, appropriate public education to students with disabilities. For additional information about the rights of parents of eligible students, or for answers to questions about identification, evaluation, and placement into Section 504 programs, contact the school leader or the Director of Exceptional Student Services at 602-953-2933.

Leona Group Schools managed schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in their programs and activities, and provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Pursuant to A.R.S. 41-1351, special education records including placement records, referrals, evaluations, and testing data will be destroyed seven years after the student’s last fiscal year of enrollment. A permanent record of a student’s name, address, phone number, grades, attendance record, classes attended, grade level completed and year completed may be maintained without time limitation.

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Procedural Safeguards Notice (English) Procedural Safeguards Notice (Spanish) FERPA Notice (English) FERPA Notice (Spanish) 504 Parent Rights & Procedural Safeguards 504 Child Find Notice AZ Child Find