Private & Parochial Schools

Division of Business, Fiscal, and information Systems (DBFIS) supervises the implementation of Child Find procedures for students whose parents choose to enroll their children in private & parochial schools. In addition, DBFIS oversees the countywide summer assessment process to support schools in conducting IEP procedures within mandated timelines for students who attend private & parochial schools and seek special education screening or services in Montgomery County Public Schools.

What We Do

• Answer questions from parents and staff related to the private & parochial school processes
• Help facilitate the special education screening process between private school parents and MCPS schools
• Provide summer assessment for special education screening
• Act as a liaison between the private/parochial schools and MCPS schools
• Provide professional development to both MCPS staff as well as private & parochial School administrators, staff, and parents

Special Education Referrals

If you are the parent/guardian of a private/parochial school student ages 5-21 years and would like to start the Child Find special education referral process, please contact Anna E. Szilagyi-Weichbrod to obtain a full referral packet. Any questions and/or concerns related to the private/parochial referral process can also be addressed to Anna E. Szilagyi-Weichbrod via e-mail.

Resources

• Understanding the Private & Parochial School Process
• United States Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services - Questions & Answers on Serving Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents in Private Schools - Revised February 2022
• Power Point Module 16 (by Sheila Friedman)