Special Services

The Special Services Department at Northville Public Schools is dedicated to supporting the diverse needs of all learners by providing a wide range of programs and services. This includes serving students with special educational needs through Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans, as well as collaborating with the Office of Instruction to implement the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). The department also oversees services for students experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act, school nursing services, and multilingual services to support English learners and their families. Additionally, the department manages early childhood programs, including the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), to ensure a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Through these comprehensive services, the Special Services Department works to foster equitable access and success for every student

Special Education

The Northville Public Schools offers a comprehensive continuum of Special Education services for students who have been identified through an Individualized Education Program Team (IEPT) meeting as eligible for special education under Michigan’s State Special Education Rules. These services are designed to support a wide range of student needs, including but not limited to: Learning Disabilities, Speech and Language Impairments, Cognitive Impairments, Emotional Impairments, Physical or Otherwise Health Impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Early Childhood Developmental Delays.

Northville Public Schools is committed to delivering progressive, student-centered special education services across all levels. Resource Room and cross-categorical classrooms are available at the elementary and middle school levels, while departmentalized and co-taught instruction is provided at the middle and high school levels. Additional support services include: Speech and Language Therapy, School Social Work, consultation from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Specialists and Assistive Technology coordination. The district also values strong family partnerships and includes a Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) as part of its ongoing efforts to support students and families. Special education staff participate in continuous, evidence-based professional development.

For students whose needs require a more specialized Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), additional programs and services may be accessed through the Wayne RESA Act 18 agreement, if determined appropriate through the IEP process. These programs include regional center-based placements that serve students with more intensive needs. Northville Public Schools is home to Cooke School, a center-based program serving students from across the Western Wayne County region who have Severe Cognitive Impairments (SCI), Severe Multiple Impairments (SXI), or dual diagnoses of Cognitive and Emotional Impairments. Additional center-based programs accessible to Northville students through Wayne RESA include: Hearing Impairment and Severe Emotional Impairment programs in Redford Union Schools; MoCI Cognitive Impairment programs in Livonia; and Autism Spectrum Disorder programs at Burger School in Garden City Schools and post high school programs in Livonia/Garden City and Plymouth Canton.