Our Programs
Hermosa Beach City School District's (HBCSD) special education programs provide the student with education in the "least restrictive environment." This means that the student will, when appropriate, be educated within the general education setting with the necessary supplementary aids and services.
Programs available for special needs students include:
Regular Class Accommodations
The regular classroom teacher can make accommodations to the educational program to meet a student's needs. These accommodations typically result from consultations with parents, the school psychologist, a special education teacher, and/or other members of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team.
Regular Class with Related Services
Students in general education may qualify for related services, which are provided in small group or individual settings during the regular school day. Related services include:
- Speech and Language: Addresses communication needs.
- Adapted Physical Education: Focuses on gross motor skills.
- Occupational Therapy: Targets fine motor skills and sensory needs.
- Physical Therapy: Helps with physically accessing the educational environment.
Itinerant Teacher for the Hearing and Visually Impaired
Hearing-impaired and visually impaired students may attend regular classes with support from an itinerant teacher. The Southwest SELPA provides these services, which are tailored to the student's needs as determined in the IEP.
Learning Center Program
Educational Specialists offer instruction and services to students identified in an IEP who are assigned to a regular classroom for part of the school day. The Learning Center Program caters to a variety of disabilities, providing appropriate part-time support within a regular classroom setting.
Special Day Class (SDC)
HBCSD provides a self-contained classroom to meet the specific educational needs of students with learning, language, and adaptive skills needs. Students in the self-contained classroom may be mainstreamed for one or more regular classes as appropriate. These students participate in the CA Alternate Assessment using CA Alternate Standards and Curriculum.
Full-Inclusion Preschool
The Hermosa Beach City School District offers a full-inclusion classroom for preschool-aged students. This program focuses on developmental needs (e.g., behavioral, social, or pre-academic) that can be addressed within the general education preschool classroom with support from a special education teacher through collaboration and consultation.
These special services programs are available for students from ages TK-8th. There are also programs within the community that serve students from birth to age five. The goal of all these programs is to assist students in developing their abilities and skills.