South Portland School Department

South Portland has the responsibility to ensure that all students between the ages of 3 and 20 years, (including state wards, state agency clients, students attending private schools in the district, students who are home schooled, and institutional residents who reside within the city) and who are in need of special education and supportive services, are identified, located and evaluated. If you live in the state of Maine and are the parent or legal guardian of a child with a disability that is covered by state or federal special education laws and have privately placed your child in a private school or a home school program located within this school district, you have the right to have your child located, identified and evaluated by the South Portland School District as a possible special education student, including referral of your child to a pupil evaluation team to determine whether your child qualifies as a special education student. The South Portland School District's child find and referral obligations toward your child while s/he is parentally placed in a private school or home school program located in South Portland are the same as for students enrolled in public school. Parents, relatives, private school administrators, physicians and other persons who are aware of a child who may require services are asked to contact the Office of Instructional Support at 871-0555.