Special Education

Special Education in Jeffco shapes a future where every student can succeed, learn and grow. In the heart of our community, the Special Education department is a cornerstone, ensuring that students with disabilities are supported on their journey to reach their full potential.

This programming located in each school assists students in developing skills and learning behaviors that enable them to benefit from the general education program. Special education services are provided in a variety of ways: 

• Direct instruction
• Co-teaching
• Consultation
• Materials modification as identified on the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Read about Section 504 the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Congress’s directive to schools receiving any federal funding to eliminate discrimination based on disability from all aspects of school operation.

Center-based programs are specialized classrooms within regular school buildings across the district and are available as part of Jeffco’s continuum of placement options for students in special education. These programs provide intensive support, additional resources and a focus on individualized needs for different students.  Programs also change as needed to respond to individual student needs.

Only students whose IEP identifies placement within a center program can be supported in a center program. Students cannot be enrolled into a program by a family or transferred into a program by an administrator. 

Most students can be supported in their neighborhood school and do not need center programming.  A Director or Assistant Director of special education must be included in decisions to change a student’s placement.

Special Education Center Based Program Locations 2024-2025

View a Map of Special Education Schools & Programs 

Autism

Programs designed to meet the educational needs of students with autism provide a structured teaching approach to learning. As with any student qualifying for special education services, the Individual Education Plan (IEP) will direct the program. 

Special attention is paid to skills in the following: communication, social, academic, daily living, independence, sensory motor and vocational. 

Services to students with autism are offered in a continuum of environments ranging from full access to the general education classroom to a self-contained class. Placement is based upon individual student needs. Intensive early intervention is a priority.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) center programs support students with significant needs in functional communication or social skills, restrictive interests or repetitive behaviors.

Center programming focuses on:

1. Academic instruction and inclusion
2. Data collection and progress monitoring
3. Paraeducator support
4. Social communication
5. Social and emotional supports

Learn More About Autism Spectrum Disorders Center Programs

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

This programming serves students Preschool through 12th grade with hearing loss and whose needs require intensive services by teachers of the deaf or hard of hearing, audiologists, speech and language therapists and mental health staff. Educational interpreters and tutor-notetakers are available to support student learning.

Instruction in these programs is guided by district-approved curriculum and the state modified standards. Services are provided at neighborhood schools and at center programs which are located at Everitt Middle School, Maple Grove Elementary, Rocky Mountain Deaf School, and Wheat Ridge High School.

Center programming focuses on:

1. Academic instruction and inclusion
2. Data collection and progress monitoring
3. Paraeducator support
4. Intensive language development
5. Advocacy - hearing technology

Learn More About the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center Program

Affective Needs (AN)

This programming is for students who may have significant emotional disorders, behaviors or problems that affect their ability to function in a general school environment or access the general curriculum. AN services are offered in a continuum of environments ranging from full access to the general education classroom to a self-contained class. Placement is based upon individual student need as determined by the student’s IEP.

AN centers provide programming for students with significant social, emotional, behavioral or mental health needs.

Center programming focuses on:

1. Academic instruction and inclusion
2. Data collection and progress monitoring
3. Paraeducator support
4. Behavior systems
5. Social and emotional supports

Learn More About the Affective Needs Center Program

Significant support needs for grades K-12

These programs offer special education and related services for students with severe developmental delays in multiple areas, such as cognitive, speech, language or motor delays. Instruction focuses on the individual educational needs of the student guided by Expanded Benchmarks and Access skills as a foundation for the students’ IEP goals and objectives. These programs are located in neighborhood schools throughout the district.

Center programming focuses on:

1. Academic instruction and inclusion
2. Data collection and progress monitoring
3. Paraeducator support
4. Functional communication
5. Transition - planning for the future

Learn More About the Significant Support Needs Center Program