Special Education
- Overview
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Schools
- Early Childhood Education
- Schools of Special Education
Overview
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia recognizes and celebrates the abilities, talents, and spirit of each student. We strive to meet the unique needs of every learner, an objective that is rooted in the deeply held belief that a Catholic education should be accessible to all.
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia offers a continuum of special education services enriched by the gospel values that are imbedded within our curriculum. The diocesan schools are made up of four different divisions, Early childhood education, Elementary Education, Special Education Schools and Secondary schools.
Elementary Education
The Elementary schools operate from grades kindergarten to eight grade. The schools offer support to children that have special learning needs through a variety of practices, everything from accommodation and modification of the curriculum to push-in learning support and pull-out support. The elementary schools service children with learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, speech and language needs among others. The goal is to provide these supports in an inclusive setting to the greatest extent possible. Click the link below to find a school in your area with services that meets the needs of your child.
The Rising Together Alliance works together with the Office of Catholic Education to foster inclusionary practices and a culture of inclusion within our Catholic Schools.
Secondary Schools
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Secondary schools serve students in ninth to twelfth grade. Each school provides accommodations and supports to address the academic needs of students with disabilities. These supports may include class-based accommodations or small group support in learning centers. Schools can provide detailed information about the programs they offer upon request.
Once a student is enrolled, individualized learning plans are developed based on a variety of sources, which may include: documentation from prior schools (such as IEP, 504 plans, and report cards), recommendations from medical provider or psychologist evaluations, and input from the student and families.
THE RISING TOGETHER ALLIANCE works together with the Office of Catholic Education to foster inclusionary practices and a culture of inclusion within our Catholic Schools.
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood programs in the Archdiocese provide a wide range of spiritual. academic and social experiences to our youngest children. A continuum of services are available to students at the following levels: Infants, Toddlers, Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4. Individual needs of students are met through an emphasis on social and emotional skills and an appropriate balance of early learning strategies to assist each child with speech, language, fine and gross motor skills. Individual needs of students are addressed in an inclusive setting.
The Rising Together Alliance works together with the Office of Catholic Education to foster inclusionary practices and a culture of inclusion within our Catholic Schools.
Schools of Special Education
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, there are three schools of special education that provide specially designed curriculum for students with disabilities.
- Saint Lucy (Northeast Philadelphia) serves children with visual impairments in kindergarten through 8th grade. Students at St. Lucy School are instructed by certified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs) in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s elementary curriculum as well as the expanded core curriculum for students with visual impairments. Students also participate with sighted peers in classes and activities at school.
- Saint Katherine School (two campuses- Wynnewood and Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor) and Our Lady of Confidence (two campuses- Willow Grove and Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster) offers an academic, life skills, and vocational skills curriculum for children with intellectual disabilities or autism from age five through age 21.