We provide a comprehensive program for students with disabilities. Our Special Education Department serves approximately 1,300 children who range in age from birth through 21. All buildings in our District provide special education services. All schools have licensed special education teachers and offer intervention supports, evaluations and special education instruction.

Special Education is specialized instruction specific to the child at no cost to parents. The instruction is designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Children must meet specific criteria set by the State of Minnesota and the Federal Government to receive special education services. Special Education is an instructional service, not a place.

We offer a wide range of service delivery models. Most students receive services in their neighborhood school and, when possible, in their regular class setting. Service models include home-based services for infants and toddlers, 1:1 instruction, small group instruction, instruction in the general education classroom and off-site instruction as determined by the student's individual education planning (IEP) team.

Services During COVID-19

Student Support Services will work closely with you to review e-learning and the impact on the delivery of special education and related services. Additionally, our special educators are working closely with your child’s general education teachers to support your child’s learning within their general education coursework as well as to schedule direct instruction to meet IEP service minutes.

Learn More About the District Response to COVID-19

Message to Special Education Families about COVID-19

Our Vision for Student Support Services and Special Education

• Responsibility for all students to reach their full potential is shared by all.
• High expectations; academic and behavioral, are maintained for all students.
• All students are provided access to our core curriculum.
• All students are valued members of the school community and
• A positive climate exists to provide a sense of belonging for all learners.

We will work collaboratively with all staff, students and families, to provide the best supports and services that will enable students to thrive in the Least Restrictive Environment.

Children may qualify for special education services in the following disability categories

Related Services

Minnetonka Public School District offers Special Education Services including related services if needed to assist the student in benefiting from specialized Instruction.

• Occupational Therapy
• Speech/Language Therapy
• Developmental Adaptive Physical Education
• Physical Therapy
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and Educational Audiologist
• Augmentative Communication
• Assistive Technology
• Physical/Other Health Impaired
• Vision, Orientation and Mobility
• Social Work and Health Services
• ដឹកជញ្ជូន

Child Find and Identification for Special Education Services

The district’s identification system is developed according to the requirement of nondiscrimination as Minnetonka Public Schools does not discriminate in education on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or disability.

Minnetonka Public Schools has developed systems designed to identify pupils with disabilities beginning at birth, pupils with disabilities attending public and nonpublic schools, and pupils with disabilities who are of school age and are not attending any school.

Infant and toddler intervention services under United States Code, title 20, chapter 33, section 1431 et seq., and Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, part 303, are available in Minnetonka Schools to children from birth through two years of age who meet the outlined criteria.

Minnetonka Public Schools Total Special Education Plan (TSES)

This document serves as the Total Special Education System Plan for Minnetonka Public Schools in accordance with Minnesota Rule 3525.1100. This plan also includes an assurance for compliance with the federal requirements pertaining to districts’ special education responsibilities found in United States Code, title 20, chapter 33, sections 1400 et seq., and Code of Federal Regulations, title 34, part 300.

Download the plan