All students attending Esperanza have been referred by their school districts for special education services in a therapeutic day school. The process of enrolling a student to Esperanza School Association of Chicago is as follows:

1. A referral begins when parents receive a copy of their rights and information about what a case study is and how it takes place. A student then receives a full case study in their local school district.
2. At the interdisciplinary team meeting following the case study, parents and school staff may agree that the student ’s educational needs cannot be met in a traditional education school. 
3. Case managers from the school district then inform parents about the possibility of placement at Esperanza School or other programs offered by the district. 
4. Parents and their child are invited to visit Esperanza School. 
5. Following that visit, if all three parties agree – parents, school district, and Esperanza– the student is enrolled and placement can begin within a few days. 

To learn more about the special education rights of children with diabilities go to Family Resource Center on Disabilities.