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, and we 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.

The following child find activities are conducted to locate enrolled students with disabilities:

• Review of school records (from prior schools and current enrollment).
• Screening within 45 days of enrollment — vision, hearing, motor skills, speech, language, cognitive ability, academic, and social-emotional development.
• Referral of children birth to age three to the Arizona Early Intervention Program, and children age three to five (not yet enrolled) to the appropriate state or community agencies.
• Written information to parents about concerns and student progress.
• Referral for evaluation and/or other appropriate services, if appropriate.

All referrals are confidential and services are provided at no cost. The parent, legal guardian, or surrogate parent retains the right to refuse services and is provided procedural safeguards under federal and state law. 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, please contact the school’s exceptional student services coordinator or the school leader. You may also contact the Director of Exceptional Student Services at 602-953-2933.

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 are 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.

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, please contact the school leader or the Director of Exceptional Student Services at 602-953-2933.

The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Records Retention Notice. 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.

Procedural Safeguards. 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 throughout the special education process. A copy is offered to parents annually and in specific instances, and copies are always available from the School Office and on the school’s website.

Request Student Records

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