Special Education

The Special Education Department at Holy Spirit High School is dedicated to supporting students with diverse learning needs by providing personalized instruction, accommodations, and resources to help them succeed academically and socially. The department works closely with students, teachers, and families to create individualized service plans (ISPs) or Medical Accommodation plans that outline tailored goals, accommodations, and support services for each student.

This department may include special education teachers, learning specialists, counselors, and speech or occupational therapists who collaborate to deliver targeted instruction and interventions. At Holy Spirit High School, the department often emphasizes small group or one-on-one instruction, ensuring that students receive focused attention and guidance within a nurturing environment.

Services offered may include:

1. Academic Support: Specialized instruction, tutoring, and the integration of assistive technology to aid in learning and comprehension.
2. Accommodations and Modifications: Adjustments to testing, classroom environments, and curriculum pacing based on each student’s needs.
3. Social and Emotional Support: Counseling, social skills groups, and strategies for managing school-related stress, helping students develop self-advocacy and resilience.
4. Transition Planning: Support for transitioning to college, vocational training, or the workforce, often including life skills and self-management techniques.

The department is committed to creating an inclusive atmosphere where every student is encouraged to reach their full potential, building confidence and independence in a supportive, respectful setting.

An Individualized Service Plan (ISP) at a high school is a formalized educational plan developed for students with identified special needs, typically for students attending private or religious schools who qualify for support services under federal law. Similar to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in public schools, an ISP outlines the specific accommodations, services, and goals that help a student access educational opportunities and succeed academically.

Here’s a breakdown of key elements:

1. Eligibility and Services: ISPs are created through collaboration with Monmouth Ocean Educational Services Commission, which are responsible for identifying and evaluating students with special needs and providing certain services. Services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, or academic interventions, though the range is often more limited than what is available with an IEP in a public-school setting.

2. Custom Accommodations and Modifications: The ISP specifies accommodations such as extended test time, assistive technology, or alternative classroom seating, tailored to support the student’s learning needs.

3. Annual Goals and Progress Monitoring: Like an IEP, the ISP includes measurable goals and objectives specific to the student's unique needs. Progress toward these goals is reviewed regularly, typically with input from teachers, parents, and specialists.

4. Collaborative Planning: ISPs are developed with input from parents, teachers, specialists, and often the student, fostering a team-based approach to meeting the student's educational goals. This collaboration allows for ongoing communication and adjustments to the ISP as needed.

5. Focus on Inclusion and Support: While ISPs may not cover the full range of services that an IEP does, they aim to support students in achieving academic and social success, fostering an inclusive environment where they can participate meaningfully in school activities and classes.

Overall, an ISP provides a structured plan to support a student’s learning needs in private school settings, helping bridge the gap in services by collaborating with local school districts to ensure that students receive appropriate accommodations and resources.