Great Hearts schools are public charter schools that provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to students with disabilities, learning differences and limited English proficiency. Those who are currently eligible or are determined eligible to receive services will be supported by one of the programs below.

Special Education

Our academies employ an inclusion-based model, which maximizes our students’ access to the classical liberal arts curriculum with full support from classroom teachers, who actively collaborate with the special education teacher. Our philosophy informs and guides our mission, which is to enable all our students’ access to an environment that offers support for their Individual Educational Plan (IEP) while maintaining the challenge and rigor of our curriculum.

We strive to create an integrated community that respects and appreciates every individual’s contribution to our pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness. We will strive to help every student achieve his or her greatest potential as a learner, and our liberal arts model is designed to meet the educational needs of every student.

Related services include, but are not limited to:

• Speech and Language services
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy

Section 504

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a civil rights statute designed to prevent discrimination against individuals with disabilities and to assure that they have educational opportunities and benefits equal to those provided to non-disabled students.

MTSS (formerly known as RTI)

Multi-tiered System of Supports (formerly known as Response to Intervention) is a multi-tiered framework that helps our teachers identify and support students struggling academically, behaviorally and/or emotionally. MTSS takes a proactive approach with students who need additional supports and uses scientifically supported interventions to help them catch up with their peers.

English Language Learners (ELL)

Great Hearts Harveston offers English Language Learners (ELL) services at all grade levels for English language learners who are limited in their English proficiency. The program is designed to assist students identified as having limited English proficiency with development in language – listening, speaking, reading and writing. The goal of the ELL program is to provide additional language support to students, enabling them to become academically successful in all classes. Students are assessed with state-mandated ELPT and ELPS exams.  If test results indicate a need for support, the student is provided individually tailed English language support, which can include accommodations on state tests, translation dictionaries, reading support, etc.  For more information, reach out to our EL coordinator, Elisa Hommel, elisa.hommel@greathearts.org.