Exceptional Student Services

Our ESS Team is committed to providing individualized education and services to help students overcome barriers and learn skills to be successful throughout life.

We’re here to help you succeed

Student receiving assistance

We provide full support for students that require IEP or 504 accommodations. All students should be prompted with questions about their specific needs during the admissions process.

If you need access to these services and still need help setting them up, please speak with your mentor or academic advisor.

IEP Parent Portal

Parents looking to access the e-IEP PRO Parent Portal to track their child’s notices, progress reporting, and evaluations can do so by using the button below. We also have a step-by-step guide to assist you if needed.

Parent Notice Child Find

Parents, please review our Parent Notice document below. You will receive this in the event a developmental/academic screening has been conducted on your child. Areas of observation included: vision and hearing status, communication skills, academic/cognitive progress, motor abilities, social/behavioral conduct, and adaptive development. Please contact us with any questions.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

As defined by federal law, special education means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability [IDEA 97 300.26(a)]. Arizona Revised Statutes defines a "child with a disability" as a child who is at least three but less than twenty-two years of age, who has been evaluated and found to have a disability and who, because of the disability, requires specially designed instruction and related services in order to access the curriculum, and related services [ARS 15-761(2)].

Click the button below to read our guide to IDEA, featuring information about:

  • Child Find

  • 45-Day Screening Process

  • Transfer of Parental Rights at Age of Majority §300.520

  • Procedural Safeguards, Policies, and Procedures

  • Indicator 13 Requirements

  • Summary of Performance

  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Pre-Employment Transition Services

Pre-ETS provided by our partner ANB Services

What is Pre-ETS?

These are services designed to help students with accommodations prepare for their future. This may include learning about self—advocacy, job exploration, work-based learning, post-secondary education, and workplace readiness.

Where can I find these services?

ANB Services visits our HUB locations each week to help students in-person:

  • Phoenix: Tuesdays, 9:30-11:15am

  • Mesa: Tuesdays, 9:30-11:00am

  • Peoria: Wednesdays, 10:00-11:15am

  • Chandler: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30am

For those unable to attend in-person: virtual assistance is offered Fridays, 10:30am-12:00pm. Click here to register for an upcoming session.

For those unable to meet at these times or locations: individual appointments are available upon request.

What do these services look like?

Activities include Pre-ETS workshops and courses, such as:

  • Life Skills

  • Career Exploration 

  • School Choice/Trade Schools

  • Activities are also tailored to each student and/or group

Application assistance is also available, to help students complete forms.

Vocational Rehabilitation

What is vocational rehabilitation (VR)?

Vocational Rehabilitation provides a variety of services to persons with disabilities, with the ultimate goal to prepare for, enter into, or retain employment. These documents will help explain:

Do I qualify?

You may be eligible for VR if you meet all the following requirements:

  • You are between the ages of 14-22

  • You have a physical or mental impairment

  • Your physical or mental impairment causes substantial barriers to employment

  • You require VR services in order to prepare for, obtain, maintain, or advance in employment

  • You could benefit from VR services in terms of getting and keeping a job

What do these services look like?

Eligible individuals of all ages may receive the following types of services:

  • Evaluations to explore job interests, skills, and capabilities

  • Vocational counseling to help identify a job goal and service needs

  • Assistance with training or education, if needed to obtain a job

  • Help with job interview skills

  • Special equipment or technology to address disability-related barriers

  • Job coaching to assist with learning new tasks and achieving job stability

Ready to get started with VR?

Meet Our ESS Team

  • ESS Director

    Amber Stock

  • ESS Manager

    Erin Robinson

  • ESS Private School Manager

    Melissa Christie

  • School Psychologist

    Kalie Virden

  • Admin Assistants

    Amy Dunn | ESS Records & Schedules/Rosters

    Kelsey Rallison | MTSS & 45-Day Screeners

  • ESS Mentor Manger

    Brandy Nelms

  • Case Managers: Resource Teachers

    Lisa Horton

    Cassandra Smith

    Allison McHugh

    Earshline Young

  • Doc Writers

    Maria Delgado

    Carol Epperson

    Lauren Rhoades

    Nicole Gilreath

    Jennifer Kelly

    Crystal Soto

  • ESS Mentors

    David Ulm

    David Sarabia

    Kaitlin McHugh

    Tamitha Smith

    Rebecca Bendel

    Kerri Branch | Smart Schools ESS Mentor