Special Education
Special Education in Jeffco
Special Education in Jeffco shapes a future where every student can succeed, learn and grow. In the heart of our community, the Special Education department is a cornerstone, ensuring that students with disabilities are supported on their journey to reach their full potential.
Significant Support Needs at Columbine High School
The Significant Support Needs (SSN) program at Columbine High School offers special education and related services – including mental health, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech-language services – for students with severe developmental delays in multiple areas, such as cognitive, speech-language and motor delays.
Instruction focuses on the educational needs of the student, guided by expanded benchmarks and access skills as a foundation for the Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and objectives.
Each student in the SSN program learns in their own way. Educators in the classroom work to find and implement the best strategies and programs to help with each student’s learning. All students are encouraged to be independent and to learn at their own pace, while still being part of the group.
The students in the SSN program at CHS are involved in various general classes (academic and electives) and unified basketball, and also participate in their homecoming and prom dances.
Students also work on job skills, including job exploration, job experience and training at the school and in the community.
SSN involvement
- Adaptive athletics and activities
- Joey Santaniello Walk For All 5K
Department of Student Success
The Department of Student Success (DSS) supports students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). Columbine uses a fully inclusive model for delivery of instruction. Students with IEPs may receive support from a learning specialist in 9th-, 10th- or 11th-grade Language Arts, Algebra I or Geometry.
In addition, students requiring more intensive support may be placed in an Extended Reading, Extended Algebra or Extended Geometry class. Extended classes fall under the category of elective classes. For students who are identified and require additional learning in math foundational skills, there is an alternative pathway to build life skills to support their additional math needs. These classes will be taken in lieu of Algebra I or higher.
