WPS Special Education

The Connections Program provides specialized instruction grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles to support the development of functional skills, social and communication skills, behavioral regulation, and pre-vocational readiness. This program serves students identified by the IEP Team as having significant learning needs that require highly individualized instruction and intensive support. Instruction is delivered in a structured, small-group setting outside of the general education environment, with opportunities for targeted inclusion based on each student’s strengths, needs, and readiness. The program emphasizes data-based practices to promote meaningful skill acquisition, independence, and generalization across settings.

Locations: Lynch Elementary School, McCall Middle School & Winchester High School

The Language-Based Program provides specialized instruction for students identified by the IEP Team as having language-based learning difficulties that significantly impact their ability to access the general curriculum. Students receive intensive language-based instruction within specialized settings and general education classrooms, depending on their unique needs. Explicit, systematic instruction is provided in phonemic awareness, phonics, reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, memory, written and oral language (including pragmatics), and other related language skills. Instruction is integrated into academic subjects and tailored to address each student’s specific disability-related needs to promote literacy development, academic success, and practical communication skills.

Locations: Vinson-Owen Elementary School, McCall Middle School & Winchester High School

The Partnership Program provides specialized instruction integrated with therapeutic support and behavioral interventions to promote academic achievement, emotional regulation, and positive social development. It serves students identified by the IEP Team as requiring intensive, individualized interventions to access the general education curriculum effectively. Depending on their individual needs, students may participate in full inclusion settings with paraeducator support as needed or receive instruction in a more structured environment. The program offers access to therapeutic support, evidence-based strategies, and behavioral support to foster resilience, self-regulation, and personal growth. Inclusion is tailored to each student’s readiness to support success across academic and social environments.

Locations: Muraco Elementary School, McCall Middle School & Winchester High School

The Postgraduate Transition provides specialized instruction in functional academics, vocational skills, and life skills necessary for successful transition to adulthood and post-secondary opportunities. This program serves students identified by the IEP Team as requiring comprehensive, individualized support to prepare for greater independence in education, employment, and community living. Instruction is tailored to each student's disability-related needs. Skill development may include activities of daily living, social communication and pragmatic language skills, job exploration, community-based internships, vocational training, and social skill development. The program emphasizes real-world experiences, self-advocacy, and community integration to promote lifelong learning and personal growth.

Location: Winchester High School

The Specialized Learning Center provides specialized instruction designed to support the development of practical academic skills, functional communication, social and behavioral skills, and vocational readiness. This program serves students identified by the IEP Team as having significant learning needs requiring highly individualized, functional, and life skills–focused coursework. Instruction is delivered in a small-group setting, emphasizing real-world applications and functional independence, with opportunities for inclusion in general education environments as appropriate to support student growth and social integration.

Locations: Ambrose Elementary School, McCall Middle School & Winchester High School