Extended School Year Services (ESY) provide special education and related services to students eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Services for students eligible for ESY are provided in accordance with the student’s IEP at no cost to the student’s parent/guardian(s), in accordance with the standards of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

While each student’s individual IEP team considers, at least annually, whether or not a student is eligible for ESY, (services that extend outside of the regular school year), the teams will consider:

  • Data related to the severity of the student’s special education needs
  • Evidence of a loss of skills due to extended breaks from school
  • Patterns of whether or not the student is recouping skills in about the same time period as the student’s grade level peers.  

When a student’s IEP team determines that a student is eligible for ESY, the team also determines the IEP goals on which the student will require ESY services as well as the level of special education and related services the student will receive to maintain the skills attained during the regular school year. St. Charles CUSD 303 holds ESY for students currently enrolled in Early Childhood, and partners with the Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative to provide services for students in grades K-12+ for ESY programing.

Please reference Illinois State Board of Education Special Education Extended School Year FAQ 2021 for more information on ESY.