In accordance with rule 3301-51-03 of the Operating Standards for Ohio’s Schools Serving Children with Disabilities, the Westlake City School District participates in an on-going effort to identify, locate, and evaluate all children aged three through twenty-one with disabilities who may be in need of special education and/or related services. This applies to all children aged three through twenty-one residing within the district, including children with disabilities who are homeless; are wards of the state; or who are attending nonpublic schools located within Westlake, regardless of the severity of their disability.

A child is considered to be a child with a disability under rule 3301-51-03 if they have a intellectual disability (mental retardation), hearing impairment (including deafness), visual impairment (including blindness), a speech or language impairment, an emotional disturbance, an orthopedic impairment, autism, traumatic brain injury, other health impairment, specific learning disability, deaf-blindness, developmental delay, or multiple disabilities.

Some parents may not be aware of the programs and services that are available. If you suspect your child has a disability or if you know of a child who you suspect may have a disability, or if you have questions about special education for children with disabilities, please contact the Student Services Department by calling (440)250-1264 or emailing pupilservices@wlake.org

Additional information about child find obligations and special education in general may be found in A Guide to Parent Rights in Special Education: Special Education Procedural Safeguards Notice available by contacting the Student Services Department or accessed online by clicking here.

School-based occupational therapy is designed to enhance the student's ability to fully access and be success in the learning environment. Find more information here.

Physical therapy is a related service provided to those children with disabilities who require such therapy to obtain benefit from educational services. School physical therapy focuses on a child’s ability to move as independently as possible in the school environment.

School Counselors serve many roles and functions within the Westlake City School District. Some of the many roles that they perform include classroom lessons, small group and individual counseling on a short-term basis, assistance with career planning and district assessment. At the kindergarten through eighth-grade level, there is an emphasis on classroom lessons that provide skill training that will be valuable throughout the student’s life. At the high school level, much of the counselor’s time is spent with counseling, scheduling and college and career preparation.

The school nurse supports student success by providing health care assessment, intervention, and follow-up for all children within the school setting. Barb Detwiler and Betsy Kaiser are the nurses for the Westlake City School District. Find more information here.

School psychologists help children and youth succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. They collaborate with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students that strengthen connections between home and school. Find more information here.

In the school setting, Speech-Language Pathologists provide assessment, intervention, and collaborative services to help ensure that a child with a communication disability can benefit from the learning environment including regular and special education. Find more information here.