Publicly placed special education students enrolled in Rivers Bend Academy are referred by their home public school system or any agency represented on a region's Family Assistance Planning Team personnel from the public school make the initial contact with the Rivers Bend Academy staff and provide a completed Rivers Bend Academy referral packet in order to determine appropriateness of the program for the student. The referral packet requires a report of a physical examination and a current record of immunization. Parents may be required to provide this documentation so as not to interrupt a child’s educational placement.

Before a local school division places a child with a disability in the school, the local school division shall initiate and conduct an I.E.P. meeting, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the regulations governing Special Education Programs.

For private placements, the parent/guardian will complete Rivers Bend Academy referral packet. Based on this information, Rivers Bend Academy will make the decision to accept or reject the child's application for admission. The parent/guardian and appropriate school division and/or referral source will be notified in writing of the decision.

Rivers Bend Academy registration process will include a comprehensive review of current/previous assessments of each student's skills, interest and special needs. The ABLLS will be completed within the first 2 weeks of enrollment. Based on the assessment, an IPP will be developed for each student's strengths and needs. The objectives, goals and selected services are not just a collection of ideas on how the school may educate a child . Rivers Bend Academy will educate children i accordance with the established IPP/IEP guidelines. The following people must be invited to attend the IPP/IEP meeting:

• One or both of the child’s parents
• The child’s teacher or prospective teacher
• For children placed by a public agency, a representative of the public agency (local education agency)
• The child, if appropriate
• Other individuals at the discretion of the parent or agency (such as a physician, advocate, or neighbor)

Click here to download our Admission Form