Elkhorn Area School District provides a spectrum of Special Education services to students who have been identified as having a disability. Services are structured around the needs and services required by a student’s Individual Education Program (IEP). We believe all kids can learn and have the right to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

The Elkhorn Area School District is required to locate, identify and evaluate all children with disabilities, including children with disabilities attending private schools in the school district, and homeless children. The process of locating, identifying, and evaluating children with disabilities is known as child find. A request for evaluation is known as a referral. When the district receives a referral, the district will appoint an Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.) team to determine if the child has a disability and if the child needs special education services. The district locates, identifies, and evaluates all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private (including religious) schools, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district.

A physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker, or administrator of a social agency who reasonably believes a child brought to him or her for services is a child with a disability has a legal duty to refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides. Before referring the child, the person making the referral must inform the child's parent that the referral will be made.

Others, including parents/guardians, who reasonably believe a child is a child with a disability may also refer the child, including a homeless child, to the school district in which the child resides.

Referrals must be in writing and include the reason why the person believes the child is a child with a disability. A referral may be made by contacting Emily Lynd, Director of Special Education, Elkhorn Area School District, by contacting her at 3 North Jackson Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121, 262-723-3160 or email at lyndem@elkhorn.k12.wi.us.

If your child is between the ages of 0-3, please contact the Birth to Three Program at the Walworth County Health and Human Services.

262-741-3200