Student Achievement Services (Special Education)

The Student Achievement Services Department at Horizon Community Middle School provides special education services to students who qualify under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, Colorado Department of Education, and Cherry Creek School District guidelines.

Horizon Community Middle School provides a continuum of services for students with identified disabilities including, but not limited to, accommodations and modifications to the general education instruction and curriculum, consultative programming, team teaching, and classes designed to target skills in the areas of reading, writing, math, and social/emotional skills. Instruction outside the regular classroom is offered based on student need. Student needs are addressed through implementation of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). A collaborative team including parents, student, general and special education teachers, counselors, mental health specialists, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other related services providers develop this plan.

Specific services may also include:

• Mental Health Support—support and interventions with a school psychologist and/or school social worker.
• Speech-Language Services—support and interventions with a Speech-Language Pathologist in the areas of language development, literacy, social communication, articulation, voice and fluency through classroom, small group, or consultative programming.
• Occupational/Physical Therapist Support—support in motor skills is provided to students as outlined in the IEP.
• Integrated Learning Center (ILC)—providing services to students with significant developmental and/or cognitive delays.
• Social/Emotional Disabilities Programming—provides services to students having significant social-emotional needs.

SAS teachers and service providers work closely with teachers, counselors, para-educators, and parents to monitor programs and progress for each individual student. It is the goal for each student to work toward proficiency according to the Colorado State Standards and to be challenged to excel to their given potential.