Would a school of choice with a learning model designed to serve students with functional needs be the right fit for your children? In this guide for parents and caregivers, we will explain more about what it means for a school to have a functional needs learning model and give examples of schools in San Antonio that offer this model. Our goal is to help you understand the range of learning models that are available in schools of choice and enroll your children in high-quality schools that are the right fit for their needs.
What Are Functional Needs Schools?
As the name suggests, functional needs schools serve children who learn differently due to things like dyslexia, autism, hearing impairment, and other challenges. Designed to meet these children where they are, these schools incorporate a curriculum specifically designed to accommodate the needs of disabled children and help them to feel confident and successful in the classroom. Led by teams of experts who specialize in these and other conditions, students are supported, nurtured, and celebrated for what they can do, not what they cannot.
Students are given highly personalized, individual attention in these environments. Most have specialists on staff to assist with specific learning issues and to help educators navigate each child’s specific challenges.
Schools in San Antonio Focused on Students With Functional Needs
In Texas, all public schools, including open enrollment public charter schools, have a duty to serve students with functional needs through the special education system. Some students with functional needs will be even better served at schools that specialize in serving students with particular functional needs. This guide will highlight some examples that are open enrollment public charter schools and in-district charter schools. These are tuition-free, public schools that are open to all students in a wide enrollment area, as we explain in our guide to school models.
The Burleson School for Education and Innovation offers an adult transition program for students ages 18–22. Students get prepared for competitive integrated employment and the possibility of participating in post-secondary education or certification training, while learning to live independently in their community. The Burleson School is a partnership between Edgewood ISD and the Institute for School and Community Partnerships at Texas A&M University—San Antonio.
Celebrate Dyslexia Schools is an open enrollment charter school designed to provide a transformative educational experience for learners with dyslexia.
The Foundation School for Autism is an open enrollment charter school designed to provide the best education possible for young children on the autism spectrum.
Serving Students Functional Needs in Other Education Settings
Beyond public schools, there are other education settings designed to serve students with functional needs, including private schools, online schools, early childhood education centers. Learn more by reading these blog posts on our site:
Homeschooling is a popular choice for families whose children have functional needs because it offers the ultimate flexibility. Pathways Home Education and Beyond Education can assist families with setting up their homeschool environments.
Learning Models Help Focus Your School Search
Identifying functional needs as a priority in choosing a learning model is an important step in your school search. As a parent or caregiver who is researching schools for your children, the range of options can be overwhelming. Remember that you know your children better than anyone else. As you develop an understanding of different learning models, you can narrow the field to the ones where your child will likely be their happiest and most successful. Visiting School Discovery Day events is a great way for parents to meet with representatives from multiple schools in one day, ask questions, and get a feel for the school’s climate and culture. The San Antonio Charter Moms team wants to make it as easy as possible to find the right school for your child as easy as possible. We have a wealth of resources, including our Facebook discussion group, interviews with schools, and a weekly newsletter, to help you make the best choice.
Learning Models Handout
Download or print our learning models information as a one-page handout. The text is in English on one side and in Spanish on the other.
Read More About Functional Needs Schools
- “Understanding Learning Models for School Choice,” San Antonio Charter Moms, August 8, 2024
- “School Models: Charter School, Private School, Traditional Public School, and More,” San Antonio Charter Moms, August 1, 2024
- “School Search Timeline,” San Antonio Charter Moms, August 1, 2024
- “The Adult Transition Program at the Burleson School Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Employment and Independent Living,” Griselda (Grace) Aguirre-Garcia, San Antonio Charter Moms, June 24, 2024
- “How to Find the Best Schools in San Antonio,” San Antonio Charter Moms, April 30, 2024
- “Rise School San Antonio Will Serve Students Like Isabelle, Daughter of Carter English,” Carter English, San Antonio Charter Moms, April 3, 2024
- “Gifted with Dyslexia: Kelly Shy-Maranca Shares a Parent’s Perspective on The Winston School of San Antonio,” Kelly Shy-Maranca, San Antonio Charter Moms, January 11, 2024
- “Guide to Enrolling at The Foundation School for Autism—San Antonio for 2024–25,” San Antonio Charter Moms, November 30, 2023
- “‘I Used My Voice:’ Juli Henderson Advocated for Her Children’s Needs,” Juli Henderson, San Antonio Charter Moms, March 1, 2023
- “Parents Find Answers at School Discovery Day Events Hosted by San Antonio Charter Moms,”San Antonio Charter Moms, January 10, 2023
