Northside ISD is the largest school district in the San Antonio area and the fourth largest in Texas. Because of its size, the district manages special education services through a decentralized model known as the "Cluster System," but strongly emphasizes the role of the Campus Special Education Coordinator. Unlike smaller districts where you might contact a central director, your primary point of contact in Northside ISD is almost always the coordinator located directly at your child's school.
The district offers a wide continuum of services, from mainstream inclusion to specialized programs. Notable programs include the Applied Learning Environment (ALE) for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities, and the Behavior Mastery Center (BMC) for students requiring intensive behavioral support. Northside also operates specialized separate campuses like the Holmgreen Center and the Reddix Center for students whose needs cannot be met on a comprehensive campus.
A unique strength of Northside ISD is its "Whole Child" approach, which integrates Family Engagement with special services. The district operates the Northside Family Engagement Center on Evers Road, which provides resources like the "Northside Threads" clothing closet and various parent training workshops. As a parent, you have access to these community wraparound services, which can be a vital support system outside of the classroom.
Recent district initiatives have focused on improving Child Find procedures and ensuring equitable access to evaluations. If you suspect your child has a disability, you do not need to wait for a "Response to Intervention" (RTI) process to finish before requesting an evaluation; you have the right to request a Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) at any time.