The Constellations Program is a Pre-K through 6th grade school setting for students with cognitive and other low-incidence disabilities.
At Constellations, we prepare students to achieve their highest independent level of functioning.
Constellations serves students with the most significant needs, and is designed for students with Moderate-Profound Disability and qualify for a separate school setting. Exceptionalities best served by the program include Intellectual Impairments, Autism, or Developmental Delay. Students are grouped by ability and age levels, as well as sensory and behavioral needs.
Our Campus
The Constellations building is a newly constructed facility tailor-made for students with significant needs. To ensure students are safe in our building, all classrooms have keyed entry and elopement alarms. In addition, observation rooms allow us to observe teachers and students without disruption.
We use a team approach to integrate student services, which means most services are provided inside the classroom in collaboration with teachers and paraprofessionals. A full-time nurse supports the health needs of our students.
Sensory spaces, indoor occupational and physical therapy gyms, and outdoor playgrounds integrate physicial movement and play into each day.
Our school site is on the Tubman Park Campus where the Tubman Montessori school serves 350 students in grades preK-2nd. This gives Constellations students opportunities for inclusion in the school community with similar-age students.
Our Purpose
Constellations is the first program of its kind in New Orleans. In our differentiated school system, all schools are their own LEA (Local Education Agency) and provide special needs students the appropriate services. Many students are served well by their home schools, as determined by their IEP team.
However, there are students whose individual special need can best be served by a separate school setting, and Constellations is the first publicly funded school setting for low-incidence disabilities that serves the entire city of New Orleans.
Constellations provides a high-quality educational space that families in New Orleans can count on, where students have a stable, nurturing, and predictable environment, and where staff can build their expertise and skills as special educators.
Our Program
Constellations provides a structured and routine based educational program for students with Autism and other low-incidence disabilities.
Our program is aligned to the state-mandated Literacy Alternative Assessment Rubric (LAAR) and LEAP Connect assessments, utilizing a differentiated curriculum matched to student needs and ability levels.
Students have sensory, motor, and structured play time throughout the day, and therapists are on site and a part of the school staff, including:
- Speech Therapy
- Occupational/Physical Therapy
- Adaptive Physical Education
- ABA Therapy
- Full-time Nurse
How To Apply
Students are referred to Constellations through their current school. If you are not yet enrolled at school, please enroll at your local neighborhood or preferred school as a first step.
We only accept students who have a Bulletin 1508 compliant evaluation and corresponding IEP. If your child does not have those in place, please work with your school to establish these so they can initiate the process.
Note: Constellations is not on the NCAP. Parents cannot select it as a placement for their child. Instead, see above for the process. Students transitioning to the Constellations program retain their enrollment at their sending school.
Constellations is a Crescent City Schools program. CCS operates three New Orleans preK-8 Charter Schools (Harriet Tubman, Dorothy Height, and Mildred Osborne) and two programs open to students around the district (Aurora for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities, and Constellations for students with cognitive disabilities)
If you have a student you believe is right for Constellations, please start the process by downloading this checklist. Contact:
Carissa Kolakauskas
Director of Student Support
Crescent City Schools
ckolakauskas@crescentcityschools.org
504-708-8325