Special Needs Preschool in Boulder County (Lafayette, Louisville: neighborhood, school district, university)

[Leo'sMom]

I am seeking advise about special needs preschools in Boulder County? Can any one comment on any of these schools special needs program for preschool or about the schools in general? Which school is consided to be the top program? Thank you.

Creekside
Fireside
High Peaks
Kohl
Lafayette
Sanchez
University Hill
Heatherwood

[Katiana]

High Peaks and Uni Hill are special "focus" schools. Not quite charter schools, but not neighborhood schools. Try the Boulder Valley Schools website: www.bvsd.org

[Micktooth]

Hi, we have a 13yo daughter with special needs in the Boulder Valley School System. She attended Eisenhower Elementary a couple of years ago and she is now at Louisville Middle. So far we are happy with both schools and the District in general. There are some great groups that might give you some more help and info: Imagine is wonderful organization:Imagine! - Innovative Resources for Cognitive and Physical Challenges and parent to parent Colorado has a list serve as well as other links where you can ask questions of other parents:
Parent to Parent Home

[snoozn]

My daughter and son both went to the school district preschool located at High Peaks. I don't think the preschool is really associated with High Peaks or BCSIS (the other elementary school located in the same building). My daughter is autistic and my son went as a "typical peer". I believe it's divided about half and half. We loved the preschool and all the teachers were great. Some of the special services staff (speech, OT) tended to turn over more quickly, so I doubt they are the same, but I believe the head teacher is the same. I have also worked with Imagine and would recommend them to anyone with special needs kids. They are the ones who led us to the preschool.

As far as wondering which is the top program, here is my opinion. Almost all schools in Boulder are great and will be a good fit for certain kids. Special needs kids can be harder to find a fit for. I went and looked at several highly regarded preschools. One, in particular (not one you mentioned), seemed like a really great school, but was absolutely not a fit for my daughter. I would recommend first checking out each school without your child, so you can see if it fits your requirements. Then I would arrange to have your child meet with the main teacher at least, so you can see if they click.

Good luck in your search and let me know if you have any specific questions about the High Peaks preschool.