Special Education Department

Special Education Director: Dawn Schwenckert

Our Mission

Heritage Academy is dedicated to youth, their growth and development. The purpose of education is to build strong character. Strong character is reflected in strong families, strong communities and a strong nation. While teaching the academic disciplines, Heritage Academy is dedicated to instilling into the minds and hearts of today’s youth a knowledge of and respect for the ideals and values of the great men and women of history, including those who founded the American nation. As today’s rising generation gains an appreciation of these people of accomplishment, they will be ready to provide selfless service to their fellow citizens and to their country which will be required in the coming years to assist in preserving America’s greatness. Heritage Academy exists to this end.

Vision

Our Special Education Programs are designed to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of our scholars, ensuring their post-secondary readiness and success.

Parent Resources

Heritage Academies will inform the general public and all parents within its boundaries of its responsibility for the availability of special education services for scholars aged 3 through 21 years and how those services may be accessed, including information regarding early intervention services for children aged birth through 2 years. Services for an eligible scholar with a disability will extend through the conclusion of the instructional year during which the scholar attains the age of 22. [A.A.C. R7-2-401.C]

Heritage Academies will establish, implement, and make available (either in writing or electronically) to its school-based personnel, and all parents within District boundaries, the responsibility for the identification and referral of all children with disabilities aged birth through 21 years, including children with disabilities attending private schools and home schools, regardless of the severity of their disability. [A.A.C. R7-2-401.D]

After students are evaluated, eligible students are entitled to a free and appropriate education, including specially designed individualized instruction for disabled students between the ages of 3 and 21. This law applies to EVERY eligible child, regardless of the severity of the disability and assures confidentiality procedures are followed. If you suspect that your child has a disability (emotional, mental or physical) and does not receive Special Education services, contact 

  • Children birth to 36 months – contact the school district where they reside or Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP), 602-532-9960, AzEIP.Info@raisingspecialkids.org
  • 36 months or older – contact the school district where they reside
  • Parentally placed private school scholars – Heritage Academies within whose boundaries the nonprofit private school is located, is responsible for such evaluation(s).
  • Enrolled in a Heritage Academy – contact that school

For records request, please email recordsrequest@heritageacademyaz.com