Special Education & Student Support Services

Every child is a gift from God, created in His image and worthy of belonging, care, and the opportunity to grow. Our Special Education and Student Support Services exist to partner with families and teachers to help students access learning, develop confidence, and thrive—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.“

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
— Galatians 6:2

Our Approach
We believe students learn best when they feel safe, known, and supported. Our approach is rooted in:

• Dignity and belonging for every student
• Whole-child support (academic, behavioral, and social-emotional)
• Collaboration between home, school, and support professionals
• Data-informed decisions paired with compassion and prayerful care
• Inclusive practices whenever appropriate, so students can learn alongside peers

How Students Receive Support
Support may be provided in a variety of ways depending on student needs:

Classroom Supports

• Accommodations and learning strategies used in the general education classroom
• Teacher collaboration and problem-solving
• Check-ins and support for organization, attention, and self-regulation

Small-Group and Individual Instruction

• Targeted instruction to build skills in reading, writing, math, and learning strategies
• Pull-out or push-in support depending on student need and schedule

Behavioral and Social-Emotional Support

• Positivity behavior supports and skill building

• Support plans developed with families and classroom teachers
• Coordination with counseling/therapy supports when appropriate

Progress Monitoring
We track student growth carefully through:

• Classroom work and assessments
• Screening tools and progress-monitoring measures
• Teacher observation and behavior data
• Ongoing communication with families

Special Education Services
Special education services are provided for students who meet eligibility criteria through an evaluation process completed by a public school district. Services are individualized and documented through an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Depending on student needs, services may include:

• Specialized instruction
• Accommodations and modifications
• Goals and progress monitoring
• Support for learning behaviors and social skills

Please note: Services vary based on student eligibility, identified needs, and the support plan developed by the team.

Evaluation and Referral Process
If there are concerns about a student’s learning, development, or behavior, we follow a supportive, step-by-step process:

1. Concern is identified by a teacher, parent/guardian, or staff member

2. Data is gathered (classroom performance, progress monitoring, observations, intervention results)
3. Interventions are implemented and monitored over time
4. If concerns continue, the team may recommend a special education referral
5. A referral begins a formal process where additional information is gathered and an evaluation may be completed according to state and district guidelines

We work closely with families throughout this process and communicate clearly about next steps.

Partnering With Families
We value families as essential partners. We commit to:

• Listening carefully to your concerns and hopes for your child

• Communicating consistently and respectfully
• Collaborating during meetings, evaluations, and planning
• Sharing progress updates and working together on strategies that support success

If your child already has an IEP or support plan, we work with you to ensure services are implemented faithfully and consistently.

Special Needs Scholarship Program
St. Marcus participates in the Special Needs Scholarship Program, which provides financial support for eligible students with disabilities to help cover student tuition and additional educational resources.

This program allows families to access funding that can support specialized services, instructional resources, and other supports that help students succeed academically and socially within our school community. Participation in this program helps us partner more fully with families to meet student needs while keeping a Christ-centered education accessible.

Eligibility and funding are determined through state guidelines and an application process.

For more information about the Special Needs Scholarship Program, please visit: Special Needs Scholarship Program | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

We strive to support a wide range of learning needs; however, there may be times when a student’s needs exceed the supports we are able to provide within our setting. In those cases, we commit to honest, caring conversations and will partner with families to explore the best path forward for the child. 

If you have questions about eligibility or how this program may support your child, please contact Rebecca Hannemann, Director of Student Services: rebecca.hannemann@stmarcus.org |414-491-2858