Jowonio is approved by the NY State Education Department to accept and educate children of kindergarten age. We have in the past served a few children with special needs and typical students who turned five before Decemeber 1, but their parents felt they would benefit from another year at Jowonio. This can be the case when a child has a fall or "late" birthday where he or she might end up being one of the youngest children in their kindergarten class. In deciding whether or not a child should remain here, we want to be sure that there is an appropriate peer group in the classroom and that we can provide the social and cognitive challenge each needs. Usually we would place a kindergarten age child in a class of 4 and 5 year olds.

For students with a full Individual Educational Plan, their school district must approve the placement at Jowonio and agree to pay the tuition that covers teaching and therapy services. Few districts have been willing to do this, as they assert they can provide the services in their own elementary school.

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