Specialty School

LifeScape’s year-round Specialty School provides education for residential and day students with disabilities ages three through 21. Our certified special education teachers and teaching assistants staff each classroom at LifeScape, ensuring all students can learn to their greatest potential.

Enhancing Special Education

At LifeScape Specialty School, we offer a comprehensive, individualized educational experience for children with disabilities. From an expert interdisciplinary team to regulated, accredited education, our school integrates applied behavior analysis and provides extensive resources. We ensure every student has the tools to reach their greatest potential.

Each Student’s Team May Include:

Certified special education teachers
School psychologist
Music therapist
Adapted physical education teacher
Computer/technology teacher
Speech therapist
Occupational therapist
Physical therapist
Behavior therapist/analyst
Social worker
Registered Dietician
Registered Nurse

Additional Onsite Resources:

Heated pool
Physician Clinics & Consultation
Orthotics & Prosthetics
Adaptive Equipment Specialists

Additional Onsite Resources:

Regulated & Approved by the South Dakota Department of Education

The LifeScape Specialty School is approved through the South Dakota Department of Education. We tailor each student’s learning plan—the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)—to his or her own needs and abilities, using sound scientific principles of instruction. Our standards of learning are based on the South Dakota Department of Education Common Core Content Standards. We follow the same regulations as any public school in the state and implement all standards associated with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-Improvement Act (IDEA-IA).

National Accreditation

The LifeScape Specialty School is accredited by the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC). Established in 1971 as a nonprofit association with the vision of supporting access to appropriate special education programs as vital components of the continuum. NAPSEC programs are diverse in the populations they serve and the services they provide, all strive to guarantee that each student’s unique needs are met on an individualized basis in order to achieve his or her maximum potential. NAPSEC Is the only National Association that exclusively represents private special education programs.

Comprehensive Plan

Our school has formally adopted the following policies and procedures as our comprehensive plan for special education. The intent of this document is to identify the responsibilities of the district and school.

Tentative 2023-2024 Testing Dates

Assessment Windows

SD ELA and Math Assessments: March 25 – May 3, 2024

SD ELA and Math Alternate Assessments: March 11 – April 26, 2024

SD Science Assessment: March 25 – May 3, 2024

SD Science Alternate Assessment: March 25 – May 3, 2024

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): January 29 – March 8, 2024

SD English Language Proficiency Assessment (ACCESS 2.0): January 29 – February 23, 2024

Learn Life Skills

Our curriculum prepares your child for the real world. We give them the tools needed to navigate everyday life with confidence. Our small staff-to-student ratios ensure personal attention.

Applied Behavior Analysis

We use the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in our daily instruction and support. ABA is a scientific approach to understanding behavior. It is the only established method of teaching approved for people with autism. It is effective for teaching children, adolescents, and adults of all abilities.

Essential for Living Curriculum

Our curriculum measures and tracks students’ progress in communication, behavior, and functional skills. The Essential for Living Curriculum teaches students the skills they need to live as independently as possible as an adult. The curriculum emphasizes:

Community-Based Experiences

Learning goes beyond the classroom at our Specialty School. Through our community learning experiences, students gain functional and social skills that prepare them to be more independent as adults. We encourage children to step outside their comfort zones and try new things. Many of the children participate in community plays, camps, and art shows through LifeScape’s Center for the Arts. Through these experiences, children gain confidence and learn how to communicate effectively with others.

Vocational Training PAES Lab

LifeScape’s PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System) Lab is a hands-on, simulated work environment providing training in work readiness skills for older students. This research-based curriculum helps prepare our students for transition into adulthood and meaningful employment. PAES helps students find their interests in five broad areas:

Business
Marketing Construction
Industrial Consumer
Service Processing
Production Computer Technology

Extended School Year Program

Each summer, LifeScape has the privilege of serving many additional students from around South Dakota and surrounding states in our Extended School Year (ESY) program. These are students who benefit from year-round instruction but whose school districts do not offer a more comprehensive summer school. Click HERE for more information about our Extended School Year (ESY) program. Our application materials are available HERE [https://d1e7v5mylx61rx.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/Extended-School-Year-Application.pdf].

School Calendars

Learn more about our special education schools by contacting our admissions specialist at (605) 444-9853 or click below to fill out a short form and we will reach out to you shortly.

Handbooks & Policies

For information and referrals, contact admissions at 605-444-9550.

Parent Handbooks

Policies

School Staff

For information and referrals, contact admissions at 605-444-9550.

Vicki Isler, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Superintendent
605-444-9632

Brittany Dawson, MS, Ed. – Principal
605-444-9544

Tammi Waltjer-Haverly, Ed.D – Special Education Director
605-444-9644

Michelle Bohy, MA – Education Program Specialist
605-444-9627

Jamie Richardson, BS – Project Coordinator/LifeScape Center for the Arts
605-444-9631

Stephanie Busjahn, BS – Admissions Coordinator
605-444-9853

Heidi Bakke – Exceptional Services Facilitator
605-444-9645

Ashley Fleischfresser, BS – Social Worker
605-444-9560

Alysia Sly, BS – Education Administrative Assistant
605-444-9643

Brenna Christiansen, MA, OTR/L – Director of Therapy
605-444-9557

Becky Weeldreyer, RN – Director of Nursing Children’s
605-444-9670

SCHOOL NURSES – Christi Kotzenmacher (RN), Jessica Willprecht (RN), Kim Winckler (RN)
605-444-9691

Katie Busser, MA – Teacher
605-444-9489

Daniel Broek, MA, CAGS – School Psychologist
605-444-9609

Christy Chitwood, MA, TCVI – Teacher
605-444-9499

Tina Clark, MA – Computer Coordinator
605-444-9495

Ari DenOtter-Conroy, MA – Teacher
605-444-9484

Victoria Hagemann, MS – Teacher
605-444-9483

Carly Renken, BS Ed. – Teacher
605-444-9683

Kayden Hoeke – Teacher Associate

Jacob Harrington – Teacher Associate
605-444-9500

Annalesha Kalis, MS, Ed. – Teacher
605-444-9656

Kris Natte, MS – Teacher
605-444-9492

Abby Oien, BS – Teacher
605-444-9494

Abby Oien, BS – Teacher
605-444-9494

Cherie Ortman, MT-BC – Music Therapist
605-444-9493

Erin Stabnow, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Teacher
605-444-9512

Leah Van Tol, MA – Teacher
605-444-9585

Jen Vis, BS – Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
605-444-9647

Seth Weidenbach, BS – Teacher
605-444-9487

Anna Winfrey, MA – Teacher
605-444-9482