Special Education Services
NSD Early Childhood Continuum of Services: Special Education is a service not a place
IEP (Individual Education Programs) teams determine placement decisions
Developmental Preschool and Ready Start Programs: located at Sorenson** and Woodmoor* Elementary
Northshore School District provides Developmental Preschool for children three to five years of age who qualify for special education services in two or more areas. Developmental Preschool classrooms serve students with disabilities along with typically developing students from our community. Classes are taught by a special education teacher who designs the program and curriculum to meet the needs of the specific students in the class. The teacher is assisted by para-educators and specialists:
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- Occupational and Physical Therapists
- Vision Specialist
- Audiologist
Northshore's preschool is a language-based program that offers educational experiences designed to help children develop the following skills:
- Social/Emotional
- Self-help
- Cognitive
- Communication
- Motor Skills
The curriculum is designed to encourage kindergarten readiness skills while allowing children to explore their environment and materials at their own pace. Children are encouraged to try new things and make age appropriate decisions.
For more information about Developmental Preschool (*Located at Woodmoor) or Ready Start (**located at Sorenson) please contact:
Sorenson Early Childhood Center at 425.408.5570 or email sorensonecc@nsd.org
Ready Start Program: located at Sorenson
The Ready Start Program is for four-year-old children who may be at risk of not achieving school success. Families may qualify for services based on criteria such as low income, special education needs, and/or non-English speaking parent(s). Ready Start classrooms serve students who are at risk and students with special needs within a general education early childhood classroom.
The program is funded by Title One and Special Education funds. Literacy, numeracy, science, language skills, social skills, independence, responsibility and self-reliance are emphasized. The classrooms blend students with varying abilities.
Extended Day Program: located at Sorenson
The Extended Day Program supplements the special education developmental preschool classroom by providing extra practice to the students with Autism, in a supportive setting using an eclectic approach, to face the challenges of Autism.
Phonology Preschool: located at Woodmoor Elementary
The Phonology Preschool is an intensive, therapeutic program that focuses primarily on the acquisition of correct speech production. Children in this program qualify for special education services in the area of articulation. The curriculum includes oral motor activities as well as direct speech intervention activities.
Itinerant SLP and/or Motor Services: located at all elementary schools
Northshore School District also provides communication and/or motor services at neighborhood elementary schools for students who qualify for services with an IEP (Individualized Education Program).