Exceptional Student Education
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Program
Launched in the 2018–2019, in response to growing demand across Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, and Citrus counties, Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School proudly introduced the Diocese of St. Petersburg’s first secondary education program for students with special needs.
Our program provides an inclusive, nurturing environment where each student’s individuality is honored and supported. Our goal is to help students grow spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically while strengthening confidence and self-esteem.
Led by certified special education teachers, the program emphasizes personal integrity, social skills, and strong work habits.
All ESE students are required to meet the graduation standards established by the State of Florida Department of Education.
ESE Special Education Services Requirements
To qualify for any special education services, including a Student Support Plan (SSP) to receive academic accommodations at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School (BMCHS), the following criteria must be met:
Required Documentation
- A current Psycho-Educational Evaluation (completed within the last three years as of date of enrollment), is required for all academic accommodation requests.
- Evaluations must be conducted by a licensed psychologist, (BMCHS cannot recommend providers and does not perform these evaluations).
- The evaluation must include:
- Formal diagnoses of disorders, disabilities, or medical conditions
- A description of current cognitive and academic abilities
- Record of tests administered, scores, and raw data
- Recommendations based on the results
- An explanation of how the condition affects the student’s daily life
Why the Psycho-Educational Evaluation Is Required
- Ensures accurate understanding of each student’s individual needs.
- Helps determine appropriate support, placement, and resource allocation.
- Required for requesting accommodations on national standardized tests (SAT, ACT).
- Needed before any school-based accommodations can be offered.
- This should be provided during the application/admission process.
Psycho-Educational Evaluation Exceptions
- A Psycho-Educational Evaluation is not required for accommodations related to:
- Chronic physical or medical conditions (e.g., Diabetes, Juvenile Arthritis, Hearing Loss). Families must provide current thorough medical documentation explaining the diagnosis and how it affects daily life.
Documentation That Does Not Transfer To BMCHS
- 504 Plans and IEPs, (public school documents; not valid for private religious schools).
- Student Support Plans from other private or Catholic schools (do not automatically transfer).
- These types of documents can show prior history of accommodations, but do not qualify for special education services at BMCHS.
Important Notes
- Accommodations cannot be provided until the required evaluation or medical documentation is received.
- BMCHS reserves the right to decline admission if a student’s needs exceed available resources.
- All requests for accommodations are managed by the Office of Student Support.
BMCHS School Policy & Federal and State Legal Notes
- All private religious schools, such as BMCHS, are exempt from laws mandating academic accommodation for students with disabilities, including:
- IDEA (1975, 1997, 2004).
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973).
- Americans with Disabilities Act (1990).
- Even though not legally required, BMCHS is proud to assist all students in achieving a successful and inclusive Catholic educational experience. Our level of support is based on student need and BMCHS available resources.
Contact
For questions or to confirm documentation submission, please contact: esecoordinator@bmchs.com
BMCHS does not perform or recommend providers for these evaluations.
Special Education Course Offerings & Fees
Access Program — Core Courses Total ESE Fee Per Year: $3,000.
- Our premiere Special Education program, designed for students with moderate to severe disabilities and learning challenges who would benefit from individualized support, small class-size and curriculum modifications.
- These classes are taught by State certified educators who are trained ESE professionals. Through small-class settings, our program covers all four core class subjects: Math, Science, Social Studies, and English. Our program meets the State of Florida Department of Education graduation and Access Point Standards. Access Program students also participate in Theology & elective courses, attend all school wide community events and extra-curricular activities.
- Course content mirrors College Prep courses, but is delivered at a flexible pace with alternative ways to show subject mastery and focuses on real-world skills and applications.
- Students in the Access Program obtain a standard BMCHS and State of Florida diploma and can attend college.
- Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School is 1 of only 2 Catholic High Schools in the State of Florida, who offer an Access Program in a fully inclusive Catholic School setting.
ESE Learning Strategies — Elective Course Total ESE Fee Per Year: $1,000.
- Available all four years of high school.
- Focuses on building executive functioning skills and academic abilities to strengthen a student’s overall skill set.
- Topics covered in this course include:
- Organization & time management.
- Note-taking & test-taking skills.
- Communication & presentation skills.
- Professional writing skills.
- Daily life skills, self-advocacy, and social-emotional learning.
- This class has a guaranteed small class size with individualized support from ESE specialists and allows time for guided work for other classes.
- – Course content changes yearly to meet evolving student needs.
Engaged Citizenship Through Service Learning — Elective Course
This course is offered to upper-level Bishop students who are interested in learning how to assist and work with students with disabilities both in and outside of the classroom.
- Available to Juniors, and Seniors. Content varies each semester.
- Course covers:
- Disability rights history and laws.
- Types of disabilities and support strategies.
- Current disability education research and media representation.
- Building a more inclusive school community and beyond.
- Students apply what they learn by supporting peers with disabilities in classroom settings through hands-on participation in school-wide inclusion and classroom events.
- Students participating in Engaged Citizenship Through Service Learning elective course are eligible for service hours.
Questions?
Contact: esecoordinator@bmchs.com
