Student Services

Led by our Student Services Coordinator, our Student Services Team (SST) includes our Principal, Assistant Principal, Special Education Coordinator, School Nurse, Counselor and Behavior Management Specialists. This team meets frequently to review student concerns related to academics, behavior, mental health or absenteeism. Any teacher, staff or parent may refer students to SST. The goal of SST is to identify areas of need, coordinate key personnel to observe, gather data and implement a plan of support. 

MTSS defines the proactive process of observation, data analysis and referrals to catch student issues early, to provide additional support and remediate areas of need. Students in need of academic support may receive push-in or pull-out services for additional reading and math instruction, by our reading our math specialists. Students demonstrating emotional challenges may meet regularly with our counselor to learn coping strategies. The goal of the MTSS process is to implement continuous review of all students to catch student issues early so services can be provided at a time they'll be most impactful.

Arts Academy Elementary Charter School is a Title 1 School. All students participate in universal screening tests in reading and math three times each year. Each teacher also assesses students’ reading and math performance regularly in the classroom. This data is analyzed regularly to drive instruction and to determine if additional support is needed. 

​Students in need of support may receive push-in or pull-out services for additional reading and math support, by certified teachers. Parents are notified when their child qualifies for this support and receive regular reports regarding their child’s performance. View our Title 1 Website

The goal of AAECS’s Language Instruction Educational Program is to facilitate the acquisition of English language skills for students whose native, or first language is not English. Core program instruction in social and academic English and appropriate support ensure that English learners are empowered with the skills necessary to become independent and successful students and to fully participate in the educational opportunities offered at the Arts Academy Elementary Charter School. 

Click here to visit our ELD Website

Arts Academy Elementary Charter School seeks to meet the needs of our students with an inclusion model wherever appropriate and ensures all students are placed in the least-restrictive environment. Students who require close proximity to maintain focus or appropriate behaviors are supported by paraprofessionals as needed.

The ANNUAL PUBLIC NOTICE of special education services and programs, and services for protected handicapped students are provided to parents and families in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.

In compliance with state and federal law, the AAECS will provide to each protected handicapped student without discrimination or cost to the student or family, those related aids, services or accommodations which are needed to provide equal opportunity to participate in and obtain the benefits of the school program and extracurricular activities to the maximum extent appropriate to the student’s abilities. In order to qualify as a protected handicapped student, the child must be of school age with a physical or mental disability, which substantially limits or prohibits participation in or access to an aspect of the school program. These services and protections for “protected handicapped students” are distinct from those applicable to all eligible or exceptional students enrolled (or seeking enrollment) in special education programs.

Children ages three through twenty-one may be eligible for special education programs and services under IDEA and 22 Pa. Code Chapter 14. If parents believe that their child may be eligible for special education, they should contact the school’s Director of Special Education. For preschool age children, information, screening and evaluations requested may be obtained by contacting the intermediate unit that serves your home school district.

To qualify as a student with a disability, the student must be of school age, in need of Specially designed instruction, and meet eligibility criteria for one or more of the following conditions:

• Autism/Pervasive Development Disorder Emotional Disturbance

• Neurological Impairment

• Blindness or Visual Impairment

• Specific Learning Disability

• Deafness or Hearing Impairment Mental Retardation

• Speech/Language Impairment

• Developmental Delay

• Other Health Impairment

For further information on evaluation procedures and provision of services to protected handicapped students at AAECS, contact Dan Guthrie, Director of Special Education at dguthrie@artsacademyecs.org Please refer to the board policies (located on the school website) for information regarding Internet usage, corporal punishment, child abuse, weapons policy, student records (FERPA).

If you or someone you know is homeless, even if it is temporary, we may be able to help! 

Visit our Homeless Information website, https://www.artsacademyecs.org/resources/student_services/homeless_information

or contact our AAECS Homeless Liaison, Mrs. Courtney Henegan at chenegan@artsacademyecs.org or 610-841-4560 for more information.

If you are unsure if you qualify for resources, please submit this form and an AAECS Student Services member will get back to you. McKinney-Vento Act/AAECS Eligibility Form

Bus Transportation

If you are experiencing homelessness, your child/ren is/are entitled to transportation by the district of residence. Contact Courtney Henegan, Student Enrollment Coordinator at chenegan@artsacademyecs.org if you have any questions or are in need of transportation services.

Transportation plan between Arts Academy Elementary Charter School and PA Children and Youth

List of Local Shelters 

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Student Assistance Program (SAP), which is administered by the PA Department of Education’s Safe Schools Office in partnership with the PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ Division of Prevention and Intervention, and the PA Department of Human Services’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, is designed to assist school personnel in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues which pose a barrier to a student’s success. The primary goal of the Student Assistance Program (SAP) is to help students overcome these barriers in order that they may achieve, remain in school, and advance. While Student Assistance Programs exist in other areas of the country, the structure and operation of the program in Pennsylvania is a unique expression of an integrated model serving the needs of Pennsylvania families and their students.

Visit https://www.artsacademyecs.org/sap for more information.