Referral Process

All students are referred through the special education department of their local school district.  Students come with an active IEP and have been eligible at a multidisciplinary conference made for a therapeutic/alternative setting outside the realm of special education services offered within the local district.  MacNeal School does not accept any private referrals from parents or community clinicians.

MacNeal School offers rolling enrollment throughout the regular school year and during summer school.  In the case of full enrollment, a waiting list is established. The application process begins with a district sending a student’s case study to MacNeal School.  Upon review, if the applicant appears to match the profile of students accepted at MacNeal School and if there is an opening at the appropriate level (primary, intermediate, middle school, junior high, and high school) an Academic Coordinator contacts the school district and parent to set up an interview date and time.  Review of referral packets is handled within 48 hours.  At times, MacNeal School is filled to capacity, and therefore, offers school districts temporary placement on a waiting list (see also CAPP Program).  However, if there does not appear to be an opening in the near future, school districts are advised of this.

The interview takes place at MacNeal School with parent and student. The Principal, Dean of Students, and Academic Coordinator of MacNeal School present the educational, clinical, and behavioral components of the program and invite the family to tour the building including visiting the prospective classroom, Intervention Area and meeting faculty and students.  School district personnel are always welcome to accompany their students to interviews.  If all parties agree that the student/school match is a good one, a beginning date for student enrollment is set.  The referring school district is immediately notified and a request for transportation is initiated. MacNeal School understands that school districts require up to 3 business days to secure proper transportation.

During the first 30 days of a student’s initial placement, formal and informal education testing is completed.  There is a review of the appropriateness of the current IEP goals and an intake staffing is scheduled.  At this staffing, MacNeal School faculty proposes a newly formulated IEP and Functional Analysis/Behavior Management Plan.  Thereafter, there is an annual IEP review staffing.  MacNeal School works closely with referring school districts and may ask for additional progress reviews during the school year.