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Accessibility & Equity

Students with Disabilities
English Language Learners

Excelsior Village Academies is committed to ensuring that every student and family has equitable access to our programs, services, and information. We comply with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination, accessibility, and education laws, including:

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
  • Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
  • Georgia laws and regulations regarding student access and services

For additional questions, concerns, or requests for accommodations, please contact:

Chief Executive Officer
Michelle Flowers
mflowers@excelsiorvillageacademies.org
(404) 986-8595 ext. 1000

Diverse students running and playing together outside, enjoying recess and physical activity.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Excelsior Village Academies is committed to providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to all students with disabilities, in compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and all applicable Georgia laws and State Board of Education rules.

Child Find

In accordance with IDEA and Georgia law, Excelsior Village Academies conducts Child Find activities to identify, locate, and evaluate students who may have a disability and need special education or related services.

  • Child Find applies to all children in the school community, including those who are homeless, highly mobile, migrant, wards of the state, or parentally placed in private schools. Coordination with the local public school district will occur as required.
  • Parents/guardians, teachers, or community members who suspect that a child may have a disability may request an evaluation at any time.
  • Evaluations are provided at no cost to families and are conducted in all areas of suspected disability by qualified professionals using technically sound instruments. Eligibility determinations are made in accordance with IDEA and Georgia Department of Education regulations. Once written parental consent is received, evaluations are completed within 60 days, as required by Georgia regulations.

For more information or to make a referral, please contact the school’s Special Education Director / Section 504 Coordinator (see below).

Special Education Services

  • Eligible students with disabilities receive services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) designed to meet their unique needs.
  • The school is committed to providing every eligible student with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), as required by IDEA and Georgia law, through a continuum of services that ensures students are served in the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate to their needs.
  • Services may include specialized instruction, related services (such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or counseling), accommodations, modifications, and supplementary aids and supports.
  • Parents/guardians are full partners in the IEP process & have rights to procedural safeguards (also known as Parent Rights in Special Education). A copy of the Georgia Department of Education’s Parent Rights in Special Education is provided annually, upon initial referral, upon request, when a state complaint is filed, and when a disciplinary change of placement occurs.Parents/guardians are full partners in the IEP process & have rights to procedural safeguards (also known as Parent Rights in Special Education). A copy of the Georgia Department of Education’s Parent Rights in Special Education is provided annually, upon initial referral, upon request, when a state complaint is filed, and when a disciplinary change of placement occurs. 
  • Placement and services are determined through the IEP process in collaboration with parents/guardians.

Section 504 Services

  • Students with disabilities who do not qualify for special education under IDEA may be eligible for services and accommodations under Section 504.
  • Section 504 Plans ensure equal access to instruction and school activities through accommodations tailored to the student’s needs.

Accessibility & Non-Discrimination (ADA/504)

  • The school ensures accessibility of facilities, programs, technology, communications, and the school website for students, parents, and staff with disabilities, and provides auxiliary aids and services upon request to ensure equal access.
  • Our website strives to meet recognized accessibility standards (such as WCAG) to ensure equal access to information for all users.
  • Discrimination on the basis of disability is strictly prohibited.

Parent & Student Rights

Parents/guardians of students with disabilities have the right to:

  • Participate in meetings related to their child’s identification, evaluation, and placement.
  • Receive prior written notice before changes in services.
  • Access educational records and request amendments.
  • File a complaint or request mediation/due process hearing if disagreements arise regarding services.

Resources

GaDOE Division of Exceptional Children

Center for Parent Information & Resources

Parent Rights in Special Education

Questions or Requests

For more information about services for students with disabilities, to make a referral, or to request an evaluation, please contact:

Jamilah Bashir

jbashir@excelsiorvillageacademies.org 

(215) 514-1630

Complaints

Parents/guardians who believe the school has not complied with federal or state requirements may also file a complaint in accordance with the school’s Complaints, Grievances, and Whistleblower Policy or directly with the Georgia Department of Education, Special Education Division, or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

Services for English Learners & Parental Rights

Excelsior Village Academies is committed to providing equitable educational opportunities for all students, including those whose first language is not English. In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, Title III), and Georgia State Board of Education rules, the school ensures that English Learners (ELs) receive high quality language instruction and support services to succeed academically and participate fully in school programs.

Identification and Placement

  • To make sure every child receives the right support, all families complete a Home Language Survey (HLS) at enrollment. This short form helps us understand what languages are spoken at home and whether your child may benefit from English Learner services. Completing the HLS does not affect admission or enrollment in any way – it is simply used to ensure appropriate academic support. Home Language Survey 
  • Students are identified for potential EL services through the Home Language Survey (HLS) at enrollment.
  • If screening is needed, the school uses the appropriate version of the WIDA Screener — Kindergarten or Grades 1–12 — to determine eligibility. For students with significant cognitive disabilities who cannot participate in the standard screener and assessment, the school follows Georgia DOE guidance and may use the WIDA  Alternate ACCESS Screener and WIDA Alternate ACCESS for assessment, as determined by the IEP team.
  • Parents are notified within 30 days of the beginning of the school year (or within 2 weeks if identified mid-year) if their child is eligible for EL services as required by Title III.

EL Services

The school provides a range of supports to meet individual student needs, which may include:

  • English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction integrated into core classes or provided in targeted small groups.
  • Academic and language development supports to ensure meaningful access to grade-level content.
  • Accommodations on classroom assignments and state assessments as appropriate.

Services are delivered in the most inclusive and educationally appropriate setting possible, based on the student’s English proficiency and academic needs.

Parent and Family Engagement

Parents/guardians are partners in their child’s education. They have the right to:

  • Participate in the development and review of their child’ Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP).
  • Receive important school communications (notices, report cards, discipline policies, etc.) in a language they can understand, to the extent practicable.
  • Access parent learning opportunities about EL programs, student progress, and ways to support language development at home.

Translation and Interpretation Services

The school provides interpretation and translation services to ensure that parents and guardians can fully participate in their child’s education. Important documents will be made available in families’ preferred languages whenever possible, and interpreters are available for meetings upon request.

Exit and Monitoring

  • ELs exit the program upon meeting LEA and state proficiency criteria on the WIDA ACCESS assessment.
  • Exited students are monitored for at least two years to ensure continued success without services and are eligible for testing accommodations during this monitoring period..

Resources

Home Language Survey

GaDOE ESOL Program Information

Questions or Requests

For more information about ESOL services, to request interpretation or translation, or to learn more about your child’s eligibility, please contact:

Complaints

Parents who believe the school has not complied with Title VI or Title III requirements may file a complaint in accordance with the school’s Complaints, Grievances, and Whistleblower Policy or directly with the Georgia Department of Education ESOL Program or the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Excelsior Village Academies does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, veteran status, homelessness, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal or state law in its programs, activities, admissions, or employment.

Contact

For questions or concerns regarding nondiscrimination, please contact us at mflowers@excelsiorvillageacademies.org
or (404) 986-8595 ext. 1000

Web Accessibility Statement

Excelsior Village Academies is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. We aim to meet or exceed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards and to ensure information on this site is available to everyone.

For difficulty accessing content or need information in another format, please contact our Accessibility & Equity Coordinator, Jamilah Bashir at jbashir@excelsiorvillageacademies.org or (215) 514-1630. We will make every effort to provide the information you need in an accessible format.

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About

Excelsior Village Academies is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades K–7, open to all families and dedicated to student success.

Address
  • 5295 Highway 155 N; Stockbridge, GA 30281
  • info@excelsiorvillageacademies.org
  • 404-986-8595
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