The mission of the Passport School Program, operated by the Educational Service Center (ESC) of Northeast Ohio, is to guide extraordinary individuals toward a future of hope and arrive at the right destination. The Passport School Program provides an entranceway to the tools, skills, strength, and courage needed to develop individual independence, all while showing honor and respect for each of its students.
Located at the Metzenbaum Center at 8200 Cedar Road in Chesterland, Passport School Program serves students ages 5-22 with multiple disabilities and significant medical needs in a separate facility providing intensive educational, behavioral, and medical programming. Specialists certified to work with children with multiple disabilities staff four classrooms. Each classroom can have up to eight students staffed with a minimum of one intervention specialist and a minimum of one assistant. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed for each child and reviewed quarterly.
Several classrooms have been designed to incorporate TEACCH methodology, although the school program utilizes a variety of methods, and incorporates community training opportunities. A work-study coordinator, physical education teacher, art therapist, one-on-one attendants and a full-time nurse provide additional needed services. Occupational, physical and speech and language therapists work with students, education staff, and families to facilitate services. Facilities include a gymnasium, vestibular room, multi-sensory room, adaptive swimming pool, large multi-purpose rooms, a fully accessible adaptive playground in the enclosed side yard, a picnic area with hiking trails and pavilion.
School districts of residence pay separate tuition, therapies & transportation costs to the ESC of Northeast Ohio. Currently, 22 students from 14 Ohio school districts are being served by the school program.
Other Stats:
• Program has been in operation since 1988
• Average of 19 school districts served yearly
• Average of 37 students served yearly in the past
• 23 new students have been enrolled over the last 6 years
• Each student’s district of residence makes the student referral with the ESC of Northeast Ohio program director
• Average age of students is 14
• 94% average attendance for each student
• 68% of students were in the program for at least five years
• 100% graduation rate with 27 students graduating from the program and transitioning to adult day provider programs in the past five years
• All students in grades 3rd-8th and 10th participate in Alternative Assessment
Community referrals for the school program should be directed:
Supervisor of the Passport School ProgramLisa Adler, M.S.
[email protected]440-688-1280