Student Support Services

Athlos Academy of St. Cloud provides a comprehensive program with a continuum of services for our students with disabilities. All of our services are developed to facilitate each student in reaching his or her potential.

Special Education

About the Special Education Program

The following underlying assumptions guide the organization and provision of special education services in our school:

  1. Special Education is a service that should be delivered to students in the least restrictive environment possible to meet their academic and social needs.
  2. Students with disabilities should have exposure to the rich curricular, instructional, and social opportunities that their non-disable peers receive.
  3. Students with disabilities should be held to high expectations and rigorous academic pursuits.
  4. Families are essential partners in making educational decisions for students.
  5. Accountability and evidence of progress is an essential component of our special education services.

Students receive a full range of appropriate special education and related services, in the general education setting and/or in pull out small groups or individual instruction. A small number of students are educated in specialized programs in the school. The goal of Athlos is to be able to provide a rich system of inclusive education.

State & National SPED Resources

Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)

Athlos Academy of St. Cloud has a Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC). Their purpose is to collaborate with the Director of Special Education to:

  • Address the unique needs of diverse learners so they can meet their maximum potential
  • Promote an attitude of respect toward all students and a welcoming environment for all families
  • Empower and support parents to effectively advocate for children

The SEAC does this by:

  • Informing and educating parents, school staff, students and community members through workshops, websites, and printed materials
  • Providing opportunities for parents and caregivers to connect with the schools, community resources and each other
  • Promoting collaboration as a means to improve the education process for all learners
  • Influencing change, policy, and procedures through researching needs and advocating for solutions

English Language Learners (ELL)

About the ELL Program

The English Learner (ELL) program at Athlos Academy of St. Cloud supports multilingual learners in acquiring the English they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond, in accordance with the State of Minnesota Guidelines and English Language Proficiency Standards. Athlos Academy of St. Cloud provides their English language learners (ELL) with quality instruction, inclusive practices, differentiated instruction, and access to appropriate grade level content.

 

English Learner Identification

In Minnesota, an ELL is defined as a learner who:

  • First learned a language other than English, comes from a home where a language other than English is usually spoken, or does not use English as a primary language;
  • Lacks the necessary English skills to fully participate in classes taught in English.

Students are measured by a home language survey (HLS). The HLS must be given to every student entering the district for the first time, whether in kindergarten or a later grade regardless of perceived native language.

English learners come from many different backgrounds. English learners may include:

  • Students who are born in the US and speak a language in addition to English at home
  • Students who are born in the US and speak a language or languages other than English at home
  • Immigrant students who’ve had formal schooling in another language
  • Immigrant students who’ve had interrupted or limited formal education
  • Refugee students who’ve learned a language other than or in addition to English

State & National ELL Resources

Title I

About the Title I Program

The Athlos Academy of St. Cloud Title I program provides supplemental educational resources to ensure that all children have a fair, equitable, and significant opportunity to obtain a high quality education.

Athlos Title I Resources

State & National Title I Resources

The 504s at Athlos Academy of St. Cloud are handled by the 504 Coordinator, Rachel Mushel. Mrs. Mushel is responsible for all Section 504 matters pertaining to identification, evaluation and placement, as well as disability discrimination. Mrs. Mushel can be contacted by calling 320-281-4430 x1140 or by emailing rmushel@athlosstcloud.org.

Athlos Academy does not discriminate in all materials available to students, participants, beneficiaries, applicants and employees based on disability and identify the person responsible for coordinating Section 504.

Section 504 Grievance Procedure PDF