Student Services at Carmen

Supporting Every Student. Empowering Every Future.

Support is essential to a strong and welcoming school community and learning environment.

Our work is grounded in a simple belief that:

All students are capable of achieving at high levels when given the right support, structure, and opportunity.

Carmen Student Services:

  • Provides systems and guidance to ensure consistent, high-quality support across all schools
  • Partners closely with families and educators to meet student needs
  • Upholds strong compliance practices to ensure every student receives the services they deserve

Our mission is to ensure all students receive the services and support they need to access a rigorous and equitable learning experience at Carmen

Our vision: We believe that Student Services’ most promising strategy is to provide staff with policy, systems, and compliance guidance to provide all students with access to a rigorous and equitable learning experience.

Inclusive Classrooms For Future-Ready Students

Special Education

Our Special Education program is designed to ensure all students receive the support they need while remaining fully included in the school community. Dedicated special education teachers are present at every campus, partnering with general education teachers through co-teaching and co-planning to provide in-class support whenever possible. Students also have access to resource rooms for more targeted academic, behavioral, and testing support. Related services—including speech, occupational, and physical therapy—are provided based on each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). At the high school level, transition services such as vocational skills courses help prepare students for college and career pathways. Families are supported through every step of the IEP process, including initial evaluations, annual meetings, and three-year re-evaluations.

ELL

Our English Language Learning (ELL) program supports multilingual students in building strong language skills while fully engaging in their academic experience. Dedicated ELL teachers at Southgate and South Middle School provide both targeted and in-class support through co-teaching and co-planning, ensuring students remain included in the classroom environment. For students new to the country, our newcomer programming offers specialized curriculum and support during their first 18 months. Students benefit from mentoring, specialized advisories, and annual ACCESS testing to track English language growth, along with appropriate accommodations on state and district assessments. We also host family engagement opportunities and equip all staff with strategies and training to support multilingual learners across every classroom.

SSW/504 Plan Coordinators

Our school social workers are present at every campus, providing essential support for students’ mental health and social-emotional development. They connect students and families to mental health resources, coordinate school-based therapy services, and lead individual and group support focused on building social-emotional skills. Social workers also provide IEP-aligned services and play a key role in developing and managing 504 plans, ensuring students receive the accommodations and support they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

Partnering with Carmen Families

Carmen Schools follows federal and state guidelines in providing a Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) to students eligible for special education services under the supervision of Carmen’s Special Education department. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) special education manual serves as the foundation for policies and procedures.

Procedural Safeguards:

Carmen acts in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements of providing parents with the procedural safeguards to notify them of their legal rights:

Procedural Safeguards Notice

As an English as a Second Language teacher, all of my instruction is tailored to the individual needs of each student. My role is to provide instruction that is both accessible and rigorous while supporting students’ English language development and honoring their cultures and home languages. At Carmen Schools of Science and Technology, multilingualism matters

— Olivia Leach, English as a Second Language teacher

Student Services Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my child’s IEP or 504 plan automatically transfer when we enroll?

Yes. Once the school receives the IEP or 504 plan, they will review the current plan and provide services as quickly as possible. Carmen may adopt the existing IEP/504 or schedule a meeting to discuss any needed changes to align with the program delivery model.

What if my child has Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Nursing and/or transportation services in their IEP?

Carmen schools contract for IEP related services such as Speech and Language, Occupational therapy, Physical Therapy and Nursing.  Transportation is provided to students with that service written into their IEP.

What is the difference between an IEP and 504 plan?

An IEP provides specialized instruction and services from a special education teacher for students with qualifying disabilities. A 504 Plan provides accommodations to help students access learning.

How does the school determine if a student qualifies for English Language programming?

Families complete a Home Language Survey during enrollment. Students may also take an English proficiency assessment called the WIDA ACCESS test each year.

What if I believe my child requires an IEP or 504 plan?

Parents, teachers, or school staff may request an evaluation if there are concerns about a child’s learning, behavior or communication. The school team will reach out for additional information and consent for testing.  An evaluation meeting is held to determine whether the student qualifies for services under special education eligibility guidelines.

How long will my child require English Language services?

Services continue until the student demonstrates English proficiency according to the WIDA ACCESS assessment.  Parents are provided with information about their child’s English Proficiency each school year.

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