Andover Public Schools: Student Services
Special Education in APS
Parent’s Guide to Special Education
Andover Special Education Procedural Manual
Parent’s Notice of Procedural Safeguards
Preschool
The Andover Public Schools Preschool Program is an inclusive, multi-sensory pre-kindergarten program that serves both children with special needs and typically developing children from Andover.
A Letter from the Executive Director of Special Services
As the Executive Director of Special Services, I would personally like to welcome you to the Special Services' Office. I am excited to work with district personnel and the community in my role as Executive Director.
The Office of Special Services coordinates special education and works in conjunction with nursing and social work services for the Andover Public Schools. The Special Education Department is dedicated to provide specialized services and instruction to more than 1,100 students between the ages of 3 and 22 who have been identified as educationally disabled. The Nursing Department assists all students with health care needs so they can participate in all aspects of school. The Social Work Department employs 19 Social Workers throughout all of the district schools who are available to meet the social and emotional needs of our student body.
The goal of the Special Services Office is to provide each student with the necessary strategies, skills, and support to function as independent and contributing members of the school and Andover community. To assist us in our goal we welcome your help and collaboration.
Student Services
Executive Director of Student Services
Assistant Director of Student Services
30 Whittier Court
Andover, MA 01810
Phone: (978) 247-7045
Fax: (978) 247-7092
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
SEPAC School Committee Liasion
Specialized Programs
Bridge Autism Program
The Bridge program utilizes the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in the development of individualized programming for students. The program utilizes a variety of teaching formats including 1:1, 1:2 and small group instruction. Our evidence-based instructional strategies include, but are not limited to, discrete trial training (DTT), natural environment training (NET), antecedent based interventions, functional communication, modeling, positive behavior support, errorless learning, data driven behavior plans, social skills training and task analysis of complex skills.
The Bridge program is available for preschool at Shawsheen School, grades K-5 at West Elementary School, grades 6-8 at West Middle School, and Andover High School.
Excel Program
Excel is a self-contained program for students diagnosed with a developmental delay, intellectual impairment and/or other complex learning needs. Students in the Excel program require specially designed instruction outside the general education setting in order to access a modified curriculum at each student’s access point. Excel student’s benefit from a consistent, structured and nurturing environment.
The Excel program is available for grades K-5 at High Plain Elementary School, grades 6-8 at Wood Hill Middle School, and Andover High School.
Language-Based Learning Disability Program
The Language-Based Program is an instructional model designed solely for students with dyslexia and/or language-based learning disabilities. In all content areas, through a language-based team teaching approach, students are provided with consistent instructional methodology which is highly structured and focuses on oral and visual modalities to support language processing and production. In addition to these language-enriched classes, students receive specialized reading instruction and assistive technology consultation geared toward their individual needs. The overall goal of the language-based program is to continue to develop literacy skills and strategies while providing supported access to grade level curriculum.
The Language-Based Program is available for grades 2-12 at Bancroft Elementary School, Doherty Middle School, and Andover High School.
Sail
The SAIL program provides support for students struggling with core academic subjects, language skills, and comprehension and long- term retention of materials. The language challenges can also impact social functioning. Through a multi-disciplinary team approach, the program focuses on building essential skills through highly teacher-mediated discussions, questioning techniques and cues for students. At the high school level, the program focuses on fostering independence, and preparing students for successful transitions into post-secondary life. SAIL emphasizes a collaborative partnership between students, families, and educators to create a supportive learning environment.
The SAIL model is available at the elementary schools. The SAIL program is available at Wood Hill Middle School and Andover High School.
Elementary Level Tier 3 (T3) Support
The Elementary Level T3 (or Tier 3) Support System a model of support for students with chronic or episodic mental and behavioral health needs that interfere with daily school functioning and access to the general curricula. The goal of this model is to provide target students with multidisciplinary emotional, behavioral, social, and academic support in the context of specialized instruction and in-class help. Students will receive a combination of individual therapeutic interventions; specific in-class support for academic functioning; and specialized group instruction regarding social skills, emotional regulation, self-reflection, and coping skills for school-based stressors. The goal of this model is to foster skills development in the areas of emotion regulation, academic resiliency, and socialization.
Middle Level Tier 3 (T3) Support
The T3 (or Tier 3) Program is a model of support for students with chronic or episodic mental health needs that interfere with daily school functioning and access to the general curricula. The goal of this program is to provide target students with multidisciplinary social, emotional, and academic support in the context of specialized instruction and in-class help. Students will receive a combination of individual therapeutic interventions; specific in-class support for academic functioning; and specialized group instruction regarding social skills, emotional regulation, self-reflection, and coping skills for school-based stressors. The goals of the supports offered through this program include decreasing absences/tardies, decreased out of class time during the school day, increased production of academic work, and a decrease in school-related symptoms as reported by students, staff, and parents/guardians.
High School Level Tier 3 (T3) Support
The High School Level T3 (or Tier 3) Program is a Special Education program for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a primary Emotional Disability. In addition, T3 students have evidenced chronic challenges with significant psychiatric issues that have interfered with school functioning and participation. For example, many AHS T3 students have a history of requiring higher levels of clinical care outside of school. The goal of this program is to provide students with multidisciplinary emotional, behavioral, social, and academic support through delivery of specialized instruction, therapeutic counseling, care coordination, and academic help.
Transition Opportunities Program (TOP)
The Transition Opportunities Program is a collaboration between Andover and North Andover Public Schools. TOP provides transition services to post-high school students between the ages of 18-22. Students in the program have not received a high school diploma or have yet to meet their transition goals. Through a Person Centered Planning model and collaboration with community based resources, TOP will work to develop skills that meet the student's individualized goals around independent living, travel training and vocational development.