Special Education in Bergen County (Union, Ridgewood: school districts, garden, move to)

[emmiesmother]

I was wondering if anyone had any feedback on the Special Education programs within the northern Bergen County public schools. I am looking to move and have a 5 year old daughter diagnosed with PDD. She is very mild and her current IEP states that she can go mainstream, and be resourced out for her therapies. My main concern is class size, student / teacher ratio and the quality of services available. Of course, also, how easy is the Child Study Team to work with...? I would appreciate any information to help with my decision on where to look to move. Thanks!

[akitasun]

Hello Emmiesmother,

I guess we are in a real similiar situation. I to am looking to move to NorthWest Bergen or Essex, Union or Morris County. I also have a 5yr old son who has mild PDD NOS. He to is currently fully mainstremed in kindergarden and gets pull outs for services.

I spoke with the Bergen County coordinator of region 5 in Bergen County as well as many parents of septa groups, parent advocates and school officials. From my discussions there always seems to be certain towns that always come up as being consistently good regarding spe services. This is not to say that there aren't parents who are unhappy with their school districts. There is no perfect school district.
For what is worth hear is my list. No particular order.

1) Ridgewood (Offers many services), from what I am told its better to in a bigger district than smaller.

2) Oradell ( the Reginal 5 coordinator says she luvs the spe superintendant he really does a good job)

3) Wyckoff (the reginal 5 coordinator says they do a good job as well).

Other school districts in other counties to consider are:

1) Millburn/Shorthills
2) New Providence
3) Chatham

You also may want to consider the pie program which are school districts which share programs among each other. Some people like this concept other don't it depends on what your child needs (towns in the pie programs are closter, demarest, harrington park, norvale, etc.) I have the site if you need it. Also there is a valley program which is basically the same concept as the pie program, I can't remeber the towns in this program. I also have the site for this as well.

I have done alot of research on this subject matter so if you need more info please private message me. Regarding class size it depends on the student body numbers and class size can change from year to year.

My advice to you is to concentrate on the quality of services and the options a school district can give you not just for elementary but also for middle and high school. Not all school districts have the ability to give a options (such as out district students, a real inclusion class, etc) if needed.

Also its important to get a fair spe superindentant.


Good luck