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I have a 4 yr old son, with Autism, mild-moderate functioning, with sensory issues. We are relocating to the Princeton area this summer, following a job offer I've received. I'd like to know from parents experience, which school is recommended, both public and private? Also, English is not his native language (we do not live in the US).
You can expect good services from West Windsor-Plainsboro school district, which includes towns West Windsor, Plainsboro & Princeton Junction.
Perhaps someone else can comment on services in the Princeton school district?
I suggest renting for the first year just in case you need to switch school districts. Getting services for a special needs child can be quite challenging.
One issue is that no school district will even speak to you until you can show them an apartment lease that proves you live within their district. Rent for awhile unti you're sure that the district is providing the services your child needs. If you're renting it makes it easier to pick up stakes & move to another school district.
PS - many houses in this area have mailing addresses that do not reflect the school district, i.e. a large part of West Windsor has a Princeton mailing address, but is not in the Princeton school district.
Before you sign a lease be sure to call the school district to be sure your home is actually in their district.
Are there any specific schools that you recommend, or which you know are not recommended?
Thanks
West Windsor-Plainsboro school district "should" give you the services. Nothing is certain until you sign an apartment lease, register your child, go through testing, etc. & find out what the district offers.
They may have an in-district program, or if they can't handle the child than they may place the child in an out-of-district program (usually a private therapeutic school), some of which are an hour or more bus ride each way.
It costs the district a lot to have a special needs child on the books. Some districts choose to disobey the law & refuse to offer services in the hope that the parents will give up & move out of the district.
Years ago we lived in a district that refused to offer services. We moved to WW & they did for the most part obey the law in offering services.
Again, the problem is that it's impossible to get info from any school district until you have proof that you reside within their district. School districts see a parent coming with a special needs kid & they run for the hills.
A woman who worked as a parent advocate for special needs kids had told us that school districts hate having special needs kids on their books. They'll try anything to get the parents to move to another district.
I have a friend who founded Welcome to the Healing Hands of Christ Website. Barbara would be an excellent source of information for you. She lives in West Windsor and works in Princeton.
Thank you for your honest reply.
From my few email correspondence with Princeton school district I felt that they were pretty welcoming. I'll also try WW as well.
Thanks again.
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