Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:08     Subject: IEP placement question
Maury does NOT have an HFA program unless it is new in the past 3 years! Although based on my experience with DCPS, it would be totally on brand to have a specialized program that was kept secret at my kids own school when while I was begging for HFA support for years.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 14:05     Subject: IEP placement question
Anonymous wrote:There has been and still is an MS HFA "strategies" program at Francis (Stevens). School teams from around the district know that the Strategies program exists and that there is a process that needs to be completed in order for students to be placed in that program assuming there are spots available.

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Yeah I believe Maury, SWS, and Francis Stevens has the Strategies program but in different grades. I think SWS starts younger whereas Maury and Francis Stevens start older. I think Marie Reed may have one as well but not sure if still functioning.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 13:54     Subject: IEP placement question
Anonymous wrote:There has been and still is an MS HFA "strategies" program at Francis (Stevens). School teams from around the district know that the Strategies program exists and that there is a process that needs to be completed in order for students to be placed in that program assuming there are spots available.


Right … school teams supposedly know but won’t actually be forthcoming with any information about it or the supposed process. And when I asked they didn’t really seem to know anything other than “oh yeah; I heard that exists!”
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 13:32     Subject: IEP placement question
There has been and still is an MS HFA "strategies" program at Francis (Stevens). School teams from around the district know that the Strategies program exists and that there is a process that needs to be completed in order for students to be placed in that program assuming there are spots available.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 11:03     Subject: IEP placement question
Anonymous wrote:I swear I remember that it was at one time possible to get placed in the SWS inclusion classroom but maybe I’m imagining it. Given that there are self contained classrooms at SWS it’s clear that some kids get placed there outside of the lottery - so it doesn’t seem totally out of the question that a kid could get placed in the inclusion classroom if that is the LRE.

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Oh for sure, the 10:6 inclusion classroom is technically general ed so definitely not out of the question. I just suggest not mentioning the Reggio part, DCPS/Early Stages will NOT agree with that piece.


So you think it is a possible placement in an IEP? That’s what I remember … but DCPS kept its “HFA” programs very under cover … supposedly there was an MS HFA program at Francis Stevens but I could never get any actual information about it and whether my kid could get placed there OOB.

But fully agree that “we prefer Reggio” is not the way!
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 10:56     Subject: IEP placement question
I swear I remember that it was at one time possible to get placed in the SWS inclusion classroom but maybe I’m imagining it. Given that there are self contained classrooms at SWS it’s clear that some kids get placed there outside of the lottery - so it doesn’t seem totally out of the question that a kid could get placed in the inclusion classroom if that is the LRE.

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Oh for sure, the 10:6 inclusion classroom is technically general ed so definitely not out of the question. I just suggest not mentioning the Reggio part, DCPS/Early Stages will NOT agree with that piece.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 08:39     Subject: IEP placement question
Anonymous wrote:You cannot "chose" a school as placement is done based on proximity first, then availability of services. Placement based on education pedagogy won't fly, I would suggest not even stating such. Have another excuse ready. SWS also has huge neighborhood buy in so getting in will be tough.

I will say when DS was placed we lived in a not so great neighborhood and we fought HARD against that (psychiatrist input, advocacy, etc). It worked. Then we did the lottery but please ensure that you inform your LEA if you get into a school of your choosing so you can have a smooth transition. It was HELL when I attempted to do this without them. It was all worth it in the end, DS is thriving and the school has been such a blessing.


I swear I remember that it was at one time possible to get placed in the SWS inclusion classroom but maybe I’m imagining it. Given that there are self contained classrooms at SWS it’s clear that some kids get placed there outside of the lottery - so it doesn’t seem totally out of the question that a kid could get placed in the inclusion classroom if that is the LRE.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 07:50     Subject: IEP placement question
Parents who want dcps and whose kids are in a self contained classroom are essentially excluded from the lottery and specialized schools. It's frustrating.
Anonymous
Post 03/11/2026 07:48     Subject: IEP placement question
You cannot "chose" a school as placement is done based on proximity first, then availability of services. Placement based on education pedagogy won't fly, I would suggest not even stating such. Have another excuse ready. SWS also has huge neighborhood buy in so getting in will be tough.

I will say when DS was placed we lived in a not so great neighborhood and we fought HARD against that (psychiatrist input, advocacy, etc). It worked. Then we did the lottery but please ensure that you inform your LEA if you get into a school of your choosing so you can have a smooth transition. It was HELL when I attempted to do this without them. It was all worth it in the end, DS is thriving and the school has been such a blessing.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 22:25     Subject: IEP placement question
Anonymous wrote:The self contained classrooms are not Reggio.

If they are in inclusion student they’d have to lottery in like everyone else.


I vaguely recall that you can get placed there by an IEP team but I feel like that would only happen if it was a central office IEP (coming from a private preschool). There SHOULD be HFA autism programs that kids can get placed in but alas ….
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 19:26     Subject: IEP placement question
The self contained classrooms are not Reggio.

If they are in inclusion student they’d have to lottery in like everyone else.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 17:36     Subject: IEP placement question
If the IEP requires a self contained classroom and sws has that kind of classroom, then maybe.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 17:36     Subject: IEP placement question
No. It’s clear she wants to get the kid placed in SWS. There may possibly be an argument for kid to be placed in the SWS inclusion program (although I’m not sure what it would take to do that after already starting at the IB school ) but “I like Reggio better” is not a legally cognizable argument. And whatever is “not working” about the DCPS school is not going to be fixed by whatever teaching method seems most special to the parent.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 16:46     Subject: IEP placement question
My understanding is it does not work like that. IEP placements are based on available services at a school. If her school does not have adequate options (dyslexia specialist, self contained classroom, SLP, etc) then the special education folks will recommend a school that does. You may have a choice of two or something, but you can’t just pick one “I think Reggio Emilia would be great for her!” Will not fly. You want SWS? So does everyone. Try the lottery.
Anonymous
Post 03/10/2026 16:24     Subject: IEP placement question
Asking this on behalf of a friend whose child has an IEP. Their current DCPS school isn't working. She thinks Reggio would be a good fit for her child, based on their diagnosis.

Is it crazy - or actually possible - that this family could get an IEP that would allow child to attend School Within a School?