If the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team, including the parent, decides that the most appropriate placement for a student is in a private school, the district that places the student in the private school continues to be responsible for the provision of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for the student. This includes ensuring the student receives the special education and related services included in the IEP and that those services are provided at no cost to the parent. The district must ensure that the education provided in the private school meets the standards that apply to other students with disabilities. In addition, the student and parent must be provided the same rights as other students with disabilities and their parents, including receiving a full instructional day for the full academic year, instruction in the Georgia Performance Standards, and participation in state assessments. These requirements apply to residential and private day schools in which local, state, or federal funds are used to pay for the cost of the student’s educational services.

The Georgia Department of Education maintains a list of approved programs residential programs. This approval documents that the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) has verified the school meets minimal requirements for serving students with disabilities. The approval is valid for three years from the date of approval. It will remain the funding LEA’s responsibility to monitor the private facility to ensure that the student funded by the district and attending the private facility receives appropriate services.

The Division for Special Education Services and Supports has approved the residential programs listed below.

Residential Program	Date Approved Through
Marcus Autism Center School and Early Intervention Program (Day Program)	February 2014
Macon Behavioral Institute	August 2011
Murphy-Harpst Children's Center	August 2011
Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home	August 2014
Lighthouse Care Center of Augusta	August 2011
Hillside, Inc. (Residential and Day Program)	August 2011
Laurel Heights Academy	August 2014
The Methodist Home for Children and Youth	September 2014
Adult Academy Twin Cedars - Bradfield	October 2013
Georgia Center for Youth	February 2014
Youth Villages Inner Harbour Campus	February 2014
Devereux Ackerman Academy	March 2014
Morningstar Academy, Youth Estate Center	May 2014
The Collins Academy Nelson Price Treatment Center	September 2014

Private Residential Programs may request an application for approval from the Division for Special Education Services and Supports at any time. The list of approved residential programs will be updated as approvals are granted.

For private day schools, the funding LEA is responsible for verifying that the school meets the minimal requirements for the provision of FAPE for students with disabilities. The LEA will maintain a collaborative relationship with the private day school in order to monitor the student’s progress and the implementation of the IEP.

For additional questions, you may contact Kimberly Simmons, Program Specialist for Compliance at (404) 463-0411 or by email at ksimmons@doe.k12.ga.us.