Special Education Department

Loretto College is a warm and welcoming place for students with special needs. Using a blend of best practices, we empower our incredible learners to reach their full potential in a positive learning  environment. 

The Special Education Department is committed to providing a  high-quality education for students with special needs through differentiated instruction and varied support. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each student with special needs to support their academic learning goals, based upon their strengths, needs, and unique learning styles.

Our classes are designed to meet the needs of all exceptional students. Accommodations to student instruction, environment, and assessment allow for credit accumulation and success. Also, a wide variety of enrichment activities are available to students with a gifted designation such as leadership opportunities within the school and our STEAM program.

A Special Education Resource Teacher is assigned to each student with an Individual Education Plan to help facilitate success, focusing on supporting each  student’s development. Special Education Resource Teachers collaborate with students, parents, and classroom teachers to ensure the proper supports are in place to promote achievement and targeted intervention of student learning needs. Our goal at Loretto College is to provide the proper attention and support to each student so that they can successfully transition from secondary school and achieve their post-secondary dreams.

The Resource Room is available to individuals or groups of students in Special Education who need assistance with assignments or tests from a Special Education Resource Teacher. Many students use the Resource Room for a quiet space to work, positive reinforcement of learning skills, access to laptops for writing assignments, or small group re-teaching of a lesson. It also provides students with access to an informed, caring adult to discuss their short and long-term hopes for the future and guided exploration of how to attain them.

Our ISP teachers provide intensive academic and adaptive skill instruction, based upon the student’s IEP. Our priority is to help our learners attain their personal goals, promoting skill development, integration, and greater independence, and supporting their successful transition into the community and/or workplace at the end of high school. Their core programming includes the development of life skills, culinary skills, social and communication skills, the arts (Drama/ Music/ Dance/ Fine Arts), Physical Education, mindfulness instruction, functional academics, and vocational training with opportunities for work experience in the school and community, based on the interests and capabilities of each student, and driven by a post-21 transition plan.

Students are integrated into regular classes as well as access to, inclusion and participation in the activities of the total school environment such as lunch, assemblies, clubs and liturgies. Students are also able to participate in academic subjects in regular classes with appropriate curriculum modifications. Students have full access to the facilities including the Learning Commons, cafeteria/atrium and gymnasium.

Curriculum is individualized to meet each student’s unique needs. Evidence-based methods in special education are used to develop programming, and assistive technology like the Smart Board, iPad, and assistive software are used to support student learning.

assistive software are used to support student learning. At Loretto College, we strongly believe in experiential learning. The best type of learning takes place with authentic hands-on experience. In our program, students are given multiple opportunities to practice what they learn in the  classroom and out in the real world. Examples include:

• Weekly grocery shopping and cooking classes;

• In-school work skills development as seen in our Sowing & Growing program or in-school pop-up boutique;

• Community exploration, transit training, and experiential learning excursions; and

• Integration opportunities in school-wide events, e.g., festivals, fundraisers, performances, dances,  and liturgies.