5809 Gates Mill Pl, Midlothian, VA 23112

If your child requires minimal support, this school is fine. The general education experience seems to be decent for students who don’t need much extra help. However, if your child needs more personalized attention or additional services, I would advise looking into other options or being prepared to advocate strongly for their needs. Unfortunately, the special education department at this school is the worst I’ve encountered. Despite having a medical diagnosis, my child has been denied the basic support and services they need. Communication about my child’s progress has been minimal at best, with the department assuring me that everything is fine, even though standardized tests and grades tell a different story.If you have a child with special needs, I strongly recommend hiring an IEP advocate or attorney right from the start. Without one, it’s nearly impossible to get even the most basic services for your child. The IEP team often holds meetings before the actual IEP meetings, without parents present, which goes against proper procedures. To make matters worse, general education teachers are frequently not present for the entire meeting, even though they are required to be.There have also been troubling instances where special needs students were subjected to punitive measures for behaviors directly related to their diagnoses, which is completely unacceptable.No parent should have to fight so hard for their child’s basic rights. If you choose this school for your special needs child, be prepared to advocate fiercely and consider hiring a knowledgeable advocate or attorney who understands the law.On a positive note, there are a few exceptional general education teachers, such as Ms. Gersbach. She is a standout who truly loves teaching and creates a positive learning environment for her students.