Special Education

Ritenour 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 Ritenour 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, Ritenour and SSD work collaboratively to ensure students receive both a strong educational foundation and the individualized supports they need to succeed.

Ritenour’s Role

Ritenour 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 Ritenour 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
• Ritenour Special Education Director
• 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

SSD provides programs, family learning opportunities, and resources that support students and families across St. Louis County. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Families are encouraged to explore and bookmark for future use:

• SSD Family Toolkit
  • A great starting point for families, both new and experienced, with special education services. Explore virtual open houses and links to SSD’s most valuable resources for new and continuing families
• SSD’s FACE (Family and Community Engagement)
  • Including workshops and events meant to support families and students
  • Supports for specialized academic, social, and emotional needs to promote self-determination, equitable opportunities, and authentic inclusion
• SSD’s information page for Ritenour School District
  • Contact information specific to SSD services in Ritenour
• SSD’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
  • Comprised of families advising and collaborating to improve the education, confidence, and social outcomes of each student served by SSD

Staying Informed

Information about SSD programs, family workshops, and districtwide initiatives is available on the SSD website at www.ssdmo.org.

We encourage families to visit both websites regularly and review available resources to stay informed about opportunities and updates that may support your student.

If you are unsure where to begin, please contact your student’s school team. They are here to help connect you with the right information!