Moving to the area and your student is currently eligible for Special Education services (has an IEP)? Please start by enrolling at your neighborhood school (find your school). Each of our schools has a highly-qualified team that will contact you to begin the transition process for your child. Welcome to NTPS!

Special Education is a term referring to programs designed to accommodate a wide variety of students with special needs, from hearing or vision impairment, speech difficulties, to severe mental and/or physical disability.

Our belief at North Thurston Public Schools is that all children can learn, and that it is our responsibility to help them reach their potential - the same belief that drives the instruction we offer to all students in our school.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to provide the parents/guardians of a student who is eligible for or referred for special education with a notice containing a full explanation of the rights available to them. Read more about Parent and Student Rights (procedural safeguards) on OSPI's website >>

Child Find is a Special Education law that requires all school districts to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability. Schools are required to do this for all children with disabilities from birth through age 21. The Child Find mandate applies to all children who reside within the state, including children who attend private and public schools, highly mobile children, migrant children, homeless children, and children who are wards of the state.

North Thurston Public Schools Child Find is a developmental screening for children ages 3–5 years old to determine if there is a need for further evaluation for special education services. If you suspect your child (ages 3–5 years old) may have a disability in one or more of the areas listed below, please contact us to set up a developmental screening.

• Cognitive (thinking skills)
• Speech/Language
• Adaptive (self-help skills)
• Motor skills
• Social-Emotional/Behavior

How do I schedule an evaluation? Screenings are by appointment only, please contact Early Learning at 360-412-4485.

What if my child is younger than 3 years old? Visit our Early Intervention page for more information.

What is typical development? Download the typically developing guidelines for 3-4 year olds (PDF)