We originally loved this school. Feels safe, faith based and clean. The issue we encountered was that my neuro-typical son Was placed in a special needs class without informing me and without providing him with ANY guidance. Out of the small class of only 4 kids, 3 where on the spectrum. Again, 4 kids in the class total and my son was the only child NOT on spectrum. My son was left to play alone or with teacher when she was available, confused by what he perceived as rejection by his peers because nothing was explained to him, and he copied very conserving behaviors and opinions which were dismissed by school administration.
My son said "boys don't talk" Bc all his friend where not verbal, my son started flapping hands, no one addressed with my son why his peers did not want to play with him.
Being a therapist my self I would be thrilled with inclusion and how valuable this interactions would be for my sons development of empathy and patiences and love. but this was not addressed professionally, in fact it was dismissed by admin. When I brought it up.
My son was never pushed academically either.
School staff said they did not have room to move him to another class and that they could not discuss the very obvious situation with my son for privacy issues.
The appropriate way to handle the situation would have been to include the 3 special needs kiddos in the general population. Not to isolate him and make my son model appropriate behaviors all day.
I removed him from the school and did not find placement for him at any other vpk so late in school year. This was stressful.
I also felt separating the special needs kids from the general population was not appropriate. The special needs class did not even share playground time with general population when all the other classes did share the the playground and bonded with kids in other classes! That's definitely not inclusive! This school needs a lot of training on how to handle special needs kids. read more