Oak Harbor Public Schools

Helping each student become an independent and successful learner.

Approximately 1200 children and young adults receive special education services in the Oak Harbor School District.

Special education provides supplemental services to students with special needs who meet three criteria:

The student has a substantiated disability. This determination involves an evaluation process by a school-based team that also includes the parents.
The disability adversely affects educational performance; and,
The adverse effects of the disability cannot be addressed exclusively through general education classes, with or without individual accommodations. (There are some students with disabilities whose needs can be addressed through accommodations within general education. These children do not qualify for special education. Instead, an individual accommodation plan is developed for each such student. These plans are known as 504 plans and are required of all school districts under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.)

Our learning environments are designed to help each student reach their individual potential. Special education is not a specific program or place. Children with disabilities (birth to age 21) have a wide range of services/programs available based on their unique needs. In compliance with federal and state law, students with disabilities are served in the least restrictive environment to the maximum extent possible. Special education services are determined by the IEP and delivered in regular classrooms, resource room settings, and self-contained classrooms. Services are available at all schools including speech/language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, and psychological assessment.

Exceptional Academy student and staff member