Special Education
Special Education Services with Special School District (SSD)
The Kirkwood School District partners with the Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD) to provide special education services for eligible students. Through this partnership, students receive individualized supports and services based on their Individualized Education Program (IEP), as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). SSD staff work in our schools alongside Kirkwood educators to ensure students receive the services outlined in their IEP while remaining part of their home school community.
More than 97% of students who receive SSD services attend school in the district where they live. This allows students to learn in familiar environments surrounded by their peers while benefiting from SSD’s specialized staff, programs, and expertise.
Our Partnership with Families
We believe families are essential partners in the educational process. Together, Kirkwood and SSD work collaboratively to ensure students receive both a strong educational foundation and the individualized supports they need to succeed.
Kirkwood’s Role
Kirkwood oversees your student’s overall school experience. This includes building administration, general education instruction, school policies and procedures, transportation (unless otherwise specified in the IEP), extracurricular activities, attendance, and districtwide communications.
If you have questions about school schedules, handbooks, building-level concerns, or general district information, our school and district teams are your primary point of contact.
SSD's Role
SSD provides special education services as outlined in a student’s IEP. SSD staff members—including special education teachers, related service providers (like social work, SLPs, ABA, OT, and PT), and case managers—work within Kirkwood classrooms and schools to deliver specialized instruction, therapies, and supports. SSD also provides districtwide family engagement resources, specialized programs, and professional expertise in special education.
Questions about IEP services, progress toward goals, or specialized supports should be directed to your student’s SSD case manager or service provider.
Where to Start if You Have Questions
We understand that navigating special education services can sometimes feel overwhelming. The best place to start is with the individuals who work directly with your student each day.
This structure, sometimes referred to as the Information Navigation Ladder, helps ensure questions are addressed at the appropriate level and as efficiently as possible.
If You Have Questions About …
- Your student’s IEP, services, or progress - Contact your student’s teacher, SSD case manager, or social worker/school counselor.
- General education, school policies, schedules, or building-level concerns - Contact your school’s main office or building administrator.
If You Need Additional Support
If your question or concern is not resolved at the school level, you may follow this sequence:
- Special Education Coordinator
- Kirkwood Special Education Administrator
- SSD Executive Director of Partner Districts
- SSD Chief of Partner Districts
- SSD Deputy Superintendent
- SSD Superintendent
To support families, SSD maintains contacts for each of our partner districts on their website. To access these, please visit www.ssdmo.org/PartnerDistricts.
Additional SSD Resources for Families