Special Programs

Special Education

Decatur City Schools provides a comprehensive array of services to meet the needs of students, ages three through twenty-one, who have been identified as disabled. Decatur City Schools currently employs 85 full-time special education teachers. Additionally, numerous paraprofessionals are employed in each of our 18 schools. Intense programming options for low incidence populations are available at centralized locations. Currently these locations include Somerville Road Elementary School, Woodmeade Elementary School, Cedar Ridge Middle School, Decatur High School, and Decatur High Developmental School.

At the Special Service Center, three full-time psychometrists are employed to conduct evaluations on students referred for services. Additionally, three doctoral level psychologists and one masters level psychologist are employed to provide counseling and intervention services. Also housed at Special Services are the system's eight Speech pathologists, an assistive technology specialist, a transition coordinator, a job coach, a music therapist, and two homebound teachers.

Services provided to any given child are based upon that child's individual needs. Our mandate is to assure that each child receives a free, appropriate, public education. Special education services are designed to provide the supports necessary to allow a child to derive meaningful benefit from his or her educational experience. For additional information, please contact Dr. Bill Gilchrist at (256) 552-4637.

Gifted and Talented

At the elementary level (grades K-5) gifted and talented services are provided as part of the Magnet School program. Students who have been appropriately identified as gifted may choose to transfer into the Magnet Schools from any other elementary school within the city.

The Magnet School program is housed in two buildings. Students in grades 1 and 2 attend Benjamin Davis Elementary School. Students in grades 3–5 attend Leon Sheffield Elementary School. Bus transportation is provided daily from each home school to and from the Magnet Schools.

For additional information about the Magnet School program, please contact Mr. David Kross, principal, Benjamin Davis Elementary School, at (256) 552-3025, or Dr. Barbara Sittason, principal, Leon Sheffield Elementary School, at (256) 552-3056.

Gifted services are available at each of our three middle schools (grades 6–8) and at each high school (grades 9–12). For additional information, please contact Dr. Bill Gilchrist at (256) 552-4637.