Special Services Placement

Once a student is determined eligible for Special Education services, educational placement is determined by the student’s IEP (Individual Education Plan) team based upon their individual needs within the least restrictive environment. Programs range from support services provided inside the general education classroom all the way to smaller special education classrooms that are structured with modified content curriculum as well as social emotional and functional life skills. Finally, if a student’s needs exceed what the homeschool building can provide in a safe manner, an outside therapeutic school environment may be considered.  District 99 offers a wide array of programming options within our buildings but also partners with our local Special Education Cooperatives (SASED) as well as a wide variety of other private placements within the Chicagoland area. Your student’s IEP team will discuss appropriate placement options each year at the student’s Annual Review meeting. 

Community High School District 99 Programs:

Both Downers Grove North and South have websites linked below to take you directly to their Special Services Departments for more detailed information about special programs and services specific to each campus

D99 also has a Transition Center that provides special services to young adults ages 18-21 once they leave DGN/DGS. This unique program is located on Venard Road off of Ogden Ave in its own dedicated building nestled within the larger Downers Grove community. Transition 99 exists to provide life and vocational skill practice for our students within their own home community to prepare for life after school services. 


SASED: The School Association for Special Education in DuPage County

SASED Programs are located within various local schools within DuPage County. Transportation to and from these locations are provided by the district.  

Non-Public Special Education Placements:

Please see Illinois State Board of Education description of the purpose for this type of placement outside of the student’s home school environment.  

Lisa Bollow, Director of Special Services, oversees all student’s that are placed within SASED or Private placements.  
630-795-7118

Articulation Process for Placement: 

District 99 works with it’s partner districts (D58, D68, D60, D61, D66) to facilitate an articulation between the staff in both districts and the student’s parent/guardian to determine the most appropriate placement for high school.  See the process outlined below depending upon your student’s placement during their 8th grade year.  

Each high school building will communicate their Freshman Orientation process for all freshman students. The first day of school each Fall has dedicated time for only freshmen to be in the building to go through their schedule.  These schedules will come directly from the building Principals.  

Placement within Elementary District Building:

  • The Special Services Department Chair at DGN or DGS, communicates with Special Education staff at student’s current middle school
  • The Department Chair attends a meeting with middle school staff and parent/guardian to discuss possible high school placements.  

Placement at SASED or Private Placement Programming Process:

  • Director of Special Services, Lisa Bollow, communicates with the Director of Special Education in your student’s elementary district in early Fall to get information about your student’s current needs and placement information
  • Lisa Bollow or designated staff will schedule a time to observe your student in their current school environment along with other appropriate D99 staff if necessary
  • District 99 will schedule an IEP meeting with your elementary district to discuss your student’s needs and options for appropriate placement within the high school setting

Transition 99 Process:

  • The Special Services Department Chair in each building will share relevant information with the T99 Coordinator, Carolina Schoenbeck.  
  • Carolina will then attend your student’s Senior IEP meeting in order to learn more about their needs and share information about the Transition 99 program.