Special Education Services

The Department of Special Education Services provides services to students with disabilities. Special Education programs are located in all East Orange School District schools, select preschool provider sites, and out-of-district schools for students with disabilities. The programs provide services for eligible students aged 3–21 years old. We offer the following in-district special education programs: Self-Contained Learning Disabilities, Self-Contained Autism, Self-Contained Multiple Disabilities, Self-Contained Emotional Regulation Impairment, Self-Contained Cognitive Impaired (mild/moderate), Self-Contained Preschool Disabilities, and Inclusion.

The Department of Special Education Services also provides related/supportive services to special needs students as noted in their Individualized Education Programs (IEP). The services include educational evaluations, health services, speech services, counseling, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

The East Orange Department of Special Services is soliciting Requests for Proposal for the 2025-2026 school year. Please click the button below to review the areas of service we are requesting.

Project Child Find

Project Child Find is a referral and awareness service of through the New Jersey Department of Education that aims to assist in identifying unserved/underserved youth with a delay or disability from birth through twenty-one years of age.

Assistance for Families of Infants and Toddlers (Birth to 2)

If you are concerned about your child's development, you may direct all requests regarding Early Intervention to the Essex County Special Child Health Case Management Unit at 973-395-8836 or by calling the Project CHILD FIND Hotline at 1-800-322-8174.

When you call, a service coordinator will listen to your concerns and will describe services and other resources that may be available to you and your family. The early intervention service coordinator may arrange for your child to have a developmental evaluation at no cost to you. The assessment will determine if your child is eligible for early intervention services, which can help to meet a child’s developmental needs.

Preschool Children and Students (Ages 3 -5)

The East Orange School District is prepared to assist your family in transitioning your child to public school from Early Intervention on their third birthday. If you have concerns about your preschool child's development and you have been involved with Early Intervention, you may contact our office at 862-233-7300 and select the option for Special Services to discuss transition planning.

School-Age Children and Students (Ages 6-21)

If you would like an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education and related services, please submit a written request to the Director of Special Education Services. Include your child’s name, age, current school, suspected or known disability, your home address, and a contact phone number. After receiving your written request, the Child Study Team has twenty days to meet with you. At that time, you (the parent(s)/guardian) and the Child Study Team will determine what evaluations should be conducted.

To the maximum extent appropriate, preschoolers and students with disabilities will receive their education with their non-disabled peers.

EOCDC Head Start Preschool

Enrollment Procedures

Students who are new or returning to the East Orange School District with an IEP (Individualized Educational Program) may enroll throughout the year upon establishing legal residence in the City of East Orange. The student's parent/guardian must call for an appointment prior to registration. At the time of registration, the student must be present and the parent/guardian must have the necessary documentation.

The registration site for classified students is:

Enrollment Center

135 Glenwood Avenue

East Orange, NJ 07018

Telephone: (862) 233.7300 Ext. 28337 or 28510
Seeking Admission Facilitator: Denise R. Skakel

Documentation Requirements for Registration

Birth certificate
Immunization record
Medical insurance card
Guardianship papers (if guardian)
Current IEP, educational, psychological, etc.
Transfer from previous school/transcript for high school students
Three proofs of residency with an East Orange address that may include:

- Current lease or proof of homeownership
- Photo identification
- Current utility bill
- Current cable bill
- State or government document

Special Services Department Leadership


Director Send Email	Assistant Director Send Email

Supervisor of Compliance Send Email	Supervisor of Programs Send Email


	Head Administrative Assistant Tyson Elementary and Tyson Middle / High (862) 233-7300 ext.28230 Send Email
	Administrative Assistant Contacts by School
Geria Brown Administrative Assistant Bowser, Banneker, Houston, Jackson and Warwick	Candayce Muhammad Bookkeeper Garvin, Parks and Fresh Start	Shawna Salter Administrative Assistant Gibson, Wahlstrom, Louverture and Oliver
(862) 233-7300 ext.28229 Send Email	(862) 233-7300 ext.28337 Send Email	(862) 233-7300 ext.28228 Send Email
Aisha Smith Administrative Assistant Hughes, Truth, Healy and Costley	Julissa Urena Administrative Assistant STEM, Campus High, and Out-of-District Students (PreK-12)
(862) 233-7300 ext.28227 Send Email	(862) 233-7300 ext.28284 Send Email

New Jersey Department of Education Parental Rights in Special Education (PRISE)

Helpful Links for Community-Based Support