Students with Developmental Disabilities in Catholic Schools: Examples in Primary and Secondary Settings

Abstract

While some Catholic schools include students with disabilities, few serve students with significant support needs. This paper offers two distinct models of including students with developmental disabilities in Catholic schools at the primary and secondary level. Describing programs at Children of Peace School and Notre Dame College Prep School, this paper discusses each program's history, funding, student composition, programming, transition supports, and outcomes. Implications of these models are discussed, as well as the need for further inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic and other private schools.