Empowering Success Beyond the Classroom

How We Show Our Support

Established in 1984 as the first public school foundation in the state of Missouri, the Special Education Foundation provides support and assistance to students who receive services from the Special School District of Saint Louis County (SSD).

SSD provides special education services to children and youth with disabilities, ages 3 to 21 in a variety of placements throughout St. Louis County, which are governed by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Services are based entirely on a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Placements range from SSD teachers providing special education services in the student’s home school and district (partner district) to students attending an SSD special education school or private separate agency. Ninety-seven percent of students receiving SSD services attend school in the district where they live.

Today, SSD serves almost 22,000 students with disabilities in SSD schools and 22 district classrooms, over 1,400 students in career and technical education, more than 900 students who attend private/parochial schools, and over 100 adult students working towards their practical nurse licensure.