Referral Procedures

Rochester Learning Academy, serving grades 6-12, will be made available to students with emotional and related disabilities whose behavior has prevented them from being successful in a traditional school setting. The referral must come from the sending school district, not from the family.

Students must be identified with one of the following special education disabilities to be considered for admission: emotional disturbance, other health impairments, specific learning disability, speech-language impairments and/or traumatic brain injury.

Students with an extensive history of violence will not be considered for admission. The following outlines the specific procedures of the referral and admissions process.

Referral Process
  1. The school district will contact the Program Director.
  2. The school district will provide the following:
  3. Completed Referral Form
  4. Most recent evaluation information (Academic, Intellectual, OT, S/L, FBA, etc.)
  5. Current IEP (signed copy)
  6. Transcripts/ report cards
  7. Previous placement progress reports
  8. Behavior Intervention Plans, FBAs, etc…
  9. Disciplinary record
  10. Signed release of information
  11. Immunization Records
  12. Vocational/transition planning information
  13. The admissions team will review documentation and make an initial determination of appropriateness of the student for the Rochester Learning Academy.
  14. An interview/tour will be set up for the parents, student, and LEA.
    1. Parent and student expectations will be discussed and clarified to assure clear expectations upon entry to Rochester Learning Academy.
    2. The family will receive an Admissions Packet which includes RLA program information as well as admissions paperwork.
    3. RLA staff may request to observe the student in their current school setting. o RLA may require a student to observe a day at RLA.
  15. After an initial tour/meeting and review of the student files, a final decision on acceptance will be made by RLA.
  16. Upon acceptance, an IEP/placement meeting will occur; included will be parents, student, school district LEA, program director and other RLA or district staff as appropriate (classroom teacher, school nurse, related service providers, counselor). Parents should bring all signed admissions paperwork to the meeting. No student may start without all paperwork being submitted.
  17. A student schedule and start date will be determined at the IEP/ placement meeting; the district will set up transportation to and from school.
  18. The IEP team will reconvene approximately 30 days from the student’s start date in order to review how the program is working for him/her and to make any necessary amendments to the IEP.