Accessibility
& Equity

Child Find

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Georgia law, The Meliora School conducts Child Find activities to identify, locate, and evaluate students who may have a disability and need special education or related services.

• Child Find includes children who are homeless, highly mobile, migrant, wards of the state, or suspected of having a disability even if they are advancing from grade to grade.
• Parents, guardians, teachers, and other individuals who suspect that a student may have a disability may request an evaluation.
• Evaluations are provided at no cost to families. Eligibility decisions follow IDEA and Georgia Department of Education requirements.

Special Education Services

• Eligible students receive services through an Individualized Education Program designed to address their unique needs.
• The school provides a continuum of services in the least restrictive environment appropriate to each student.
• Services may include specialized instruction, related services, accommodations, modifications, and supplementary aids and supports.
• Parents and guardians are full partners in the IEP process.
• Placement and services are determined by the IEP team in collaboration with the family.

Section 504 Services

• Students with disabilities who do not qualify for special education under IDEA may be eligible for accommodations and services under Section 504.
• A Section 504 Plan supports equal access to instruction, nonacademic services, and school activities through accommodations based on the student’s individual needs.

Accessibility and Non-Discrimination

• The school works to provide accessible facilities, programs, technology, communications, and web content for students, families, staff, and community members with disabilities.
• The school website strives to conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
• Discrimination based on disability is prohibited.

Parent and Student Rights

• Participate in meetings concerning identification, evaluation, educational placement, and services.
• Receive required notice before certain changes in services or placement.
• Inspect eligible education records and request amendments under applicable law.
• Use applicable complaint, mediation, or due process procedures when disagreements arise.

Our Commitment

The Meliora School provides equitable educational opportunities for students whose first language is not English. In accordance with Title VI, ESSA Title III, and applicable Georgia requirements, eligible English Learners receive language instruction and support needed to participate meaningfully in school programs.

Identification and Placement

• Every family completes a Home Language Survey during enrollment. Survey responses do not affect admission or enrollment.
• When screening is required, the school uses the appropriate WIDA English language proficiency screener and follows applicable guidance for students with disabilities.
• Families receive required notification when a student is identified as eligible for English Learner services.

Important: The Home Language Survey is used to identify possible language-support needs. It is not an admissions test.

English Learner Services

Support is based on the student’s English proficiency and academic needs and may include:

• English to Speakers of Other Languages instruction integrated into core classes or delivered in targeted groups.
• Academic and language-development supports that provide meaningful access to grade-level content.
• Appropriate classroom and state-assessment accommodations.

Services are delivered in an inclusive setting to the greatest extent appropriate.

Family Engagement and Language Access

• Families may participate in decisions concerning their child’s Language Instruction Educational Program.
• Vital school information is provided in a language and format families can understand, to the extent practicable.
• Interpretation is available for meetings upon request.
• Families receive information about English Learner services, progress, and ways to support learning at home.

Exit and Monitoring

• Students exit English Learner services after meeting Georgia’s proficiency criteria.
• Exited students are monitored for four years to support continued academic success.