Our goal is for all students to achieve academic success and build confidence as active, engaged learners. Educators and administrators partner with families to provide a successful academic and social experience for all students from preschool through Grade 8. NAPS recognizes that students with diagnosed learning differences may require targeted support. While all students must meet the school's academic standards, NAPS provides reasonable accommodations to afford students with learning differences a fair opportunity for academic success.
NAPS has limited resources available to educate children with special-education needs. While the school employs resource educators, it lacks the facilities and resources to address all specialized learning or behavioral needs. The school reserves the right to deny admission or make continued enrollment conditional upon the criteria outlined in this handbook. NAPS reserves the right to deny enrollment to any student whose needs exceed the resources available at the school.
In determining which accommodations to implement, the school evaluates the extent to which an accommodation affects the nature of the academic and co-curricular programs, the quality of student life, the reasonableness of the request, whether the costs create an undue burden on personnel and infrastructure, and the extent to which the family supports the school's recommendations. The essential academic requirements of NAPS will not be modified. If the school determines that a student's needs cannot be adequately met within our program, the administration will notify the family that the student must be served in a different educational setting.
DOCUMENTATION + DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
To receive accommodations, parents must fulfill the following disclosure and documentation requirements:
Initial Disclosure: Parents must notify the school of any known prior learning, behavioral, or medical concerns when completing the initial enrollment application.
Record Submission: At any time during enrollment, parents must provide copies of all written reports and educational, psychological, pediatric, or therapeutic evaluations relevant to the child's education.
Communication Authorization: Parents must execute a records-release and communication authorization form allowing NAPS to confer directly with previous schools and external service providers (including speech, behavioral, or physical therapists).
Evaluation Timelines: Private testing and diagnostic reports remain valid for three years. If an evaluation falls outside this timeline, the school requires updated testing.
Once a comprehensive report is submitted and accepted by the Lead Resource Educator, it is retained in the student's confidential file. This evaluation must be completed by a licensed learning specialist or psychologist and must include:
- The specific clinical diagnosis;
- A recommendation for specific accommodations, accompanied by an explanation of academic necessity;
- Relevant educational, developmental, and medical history;
- Thorough documentation of the evaluation techniques and methods utilized;
- Complete test results, including standardized subtest scores; and
- The professional credentials, licenses, and certifications of the evaluator.
INSTITUTIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations for learning differences evolve as students mature, develop independence, and acquire self-advocacy skills. When a properly documented learning difference exists, the school provides reasonable accommodations that do not compromise the core requirements of the curriculum.
Permissible accommodations may include:
- Providing extended time on tests, quizzes, and timed assessments;
- Providing alternative testing environments outside the classroom when logistically feasible;
- Utilizing preferential seating arrangements within the classroom;
- Permitting the use of approved assistive technology (such as computers or iPads) in and out of the classroom;
- Utilizing academic supplements in and out of the classroom; and
- Modifying the school's foreign language graduation requirement.
Other accommodations may be permitted provided they utilize existing institutional resources and do not compromise course standards.
SCREENING, BEHAVIORAL PROTOCOLS, & FEES
When a learning or behavioral concern arises on campus, NAPS staff will communicate educational and behavioral recommendations to the parents.
Screenings: In-house or external screenings and assessments may be requested by NAPS staff. Screening instruments utilized by the school are indicative only and are not infallible diagnostic tools. Parents will be notified of all screening outcomes.
Mandatory Meetings: Official communications regarding academic, social, emotional, or behavioral needs occur during formal meetings attended by faculty and parents. Failure by the parents to participate in these meetings or adhere to institutional recommendations may result in the termination of enrollment.
External Services and Fees: Educational support services delivered on campus by private, independent therapists are permitted under specific administrative guidelines. All fees associated with independent therapeutic services are the sole financial responsibility of the family and are billed directly by the external providers.