Welcome to Exceptional Student Services (ESS)! At NUSD, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience success. Our ESS programs provide a continuum of individualized supports and learning environments designed to meet each student's unique strengths and needs.

From support within the general education classroom to specialized instruction and structured learning environments, our dedicated teams partner with students, families, and educators to build skills, encourage independence, and ensure every learner feels supported, included, and valued.

Developmental Preschool

Our Developmental Preschool provides a supportive, engaging learning environment for young children who qualify for Exceptional Student Services (ESS). Through play-based learning, structured routines, hands-on activities, and individualized support, students build important skills in communication, social-emotional development, early academics, motor development, and independence.

Our team works closely with families to support each child's individual needs and IEP goals, helping our youngest learners develop the skills and confidence they need for a successful transition into kindergarten and beyond.

Inclusion/Co-Taught Classrooms

Our Inclusion/Co-Taught Classrooms allow students receiving Exceptional Student Services (ESS) to learn alongside their peers in the general education classroom while receiving additional support from both general education and special education teachers.

Teachers work together to provide differentiated instruction, accommodations, flexible grouping, and individualized supports based on student needs and IEP goals. This collaborative approach provides students access to grade-level learning while ensuring they have the tools, strategies, and support needed to participate, grow, and succeed.

Structured Teaching Classes

Our Structured Teaching Classes provide students receiving Exceptional Student Services (ESS) with an organized, supportive learning environment designed around their individual needs.

These classrooms use predictable routines, visual supports, flexible learning opportunities, and individualized instruction to help students understand expectations, build independence, and experience success throughout their school day.

Structured teaching may include:

  • Visual schedules and supports that help students know what to expect
  • Clearly organized learning spaces and routines that provide consistency
  • Flexible learning approaches based on each student's strengths and needs
  • Individualized and small-group instruction to support academic, communication, behavioral, and functional skills
  • Opportunities to build independence and practice skills across different settings
  • A supportive, student-centered environment where every learner can grow and succeed

Our goal is to provide the right level of structure and support while encouraging independence, confidence, and meaningful participation in learning.

Resource Support – Pull-Out Model

Our Resource Support – Pull-Out Model provides students receiving Exceptional Student Services (ESS) with targeted instruction in a small-group setting outside of the general education classroom for a portion of their school day.

Instruction is focused on each student's individual IEP goals and specific areas of need, allowing for additional practice, specialized strategies, and individualized support. Students continue to participate in the general education setting while receiving focused instruction designed to build skills, confidence, and independence.