Cedar Rapids Expands Special Education at Catholic Schools
Public school teachers now support 60 students directly at seven local Catholic campuses.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Special Education
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The Cedar Rapids school district currently stations three special education teachers directly within Xavier Catholic School buildings to provide services. This pilot program, now in its third year, supports approximately 60 students across seven Catholic school locations.
Why it matters
State law mandates that public school districts provide special education services to eligible students in non-public schools. This arrangement aims to improve family logistics by ensuring students receive necessary support without leaving their home school campus.
The program places three public district teachers inside Xavier Catholic Schools to assist 60 students. While seven buildings are involved, St. Joseph School is excluded from this district-managed service model.
The players
Cedar Rapids school district
The local public education authority responsible for mandated special education services and state database management.
Xavier Catholic Schools
A private school system that employs internal special education staff and hosts public district teachers on its campuses.
The details
District teachers work within the Catholic school classrooms, supporting students through direct individual instruction and by co-teaching alongside staff. While the Xavier Catholic system employs its own two special education teachers, they must coordinate with the public school district to maintain required Individual Education Plan paperwork through the state database.
Timeline
The pilot program is currently in its third year of operation.
The Home Front
This program represents a cooperative model for meeting state-mandated special education requirements within private school settings. It highlights an evolving approach to student services that prioritizes keeping learning logistics contained within a single school campus.
Families with students at Xavier Catholic Schools should verify if their child's specific school building is among the seven included in the current district program. Contact the school administration to clarify whether services for your student are provided by district staff or internal personnel.
The takeaway
This pilot program helps ensure that non-public school students receive mandated services without the burden of off-site travel. Families should review their child's current Individual Education Plan to see how it aligns with these on-site classroom support offerings.
Further reading
Learn more about local support structures in the Special Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Gazette.
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Should public school districts provide special education services to students enrolled in private schools?
