LifeScape’s year-round Specialty School provides education for residential and day students with disabilities ages three through 21. Our certified special education teachers and teaching assistants staff each classroom at LifeScape, ensuring all students can learn to their greatest potential.
At LifeScape Specialty School, we offer a comprehensive, individualized educational experience for children with disabilities. From an expert interdisciplinary team to regulated, accredited education, our school integrates applied behavior analysis and provides extensive resources. We ensure every student has the tools to reach their greatest potential.
Additional Onsite Resources:
The LifeScape Specialty School is approved through the South Dakota Department of Education. We tailor each student’s learning plan—the Individualized Education Plan (IEP)—to his or her own needs and abilities, using sound scientific principles of instruction. Our standards of learning are based on the South Dakota Department of Education Common Core Content Standards. We follow the same regulations as any public school in the state and implement all standards associated with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-Improvement Act (IDEA-IA).
The LifeScape Specialty School is accredited by the National Association of Private Special Education Centers (NAPSEC). Established in 1971 as a nonprofit association with the vision of supporting access to appropriate special education programs as vital components of the continuum. NAPSEC programs are diverse in the populations they serve and the services they provide, all strive to guarantee that each student’s unique needs are met on an individualized basis in order to achieve his or her maximum potential. NAPSEC Is the only National Association that exclusively represents private special education programs.
Our school has formally adopted the following policies and procedures as our comprehensive plan for special education. The intent of this document is to identify the responsibilities of the district and school.
Assessment Windows
SD ELA and Math Assessments: March 25 – May 3, 2024
SD ELA and Math Alternate Assessments: March 11 – April 26, 2024
SD Science Assessment: March 25 – May 3, 2024
SD Science Alternate Assessment: March 25 – May 3, 2024
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): January 29 – March 8, 2024
SD English Language Proficiency Assessment (ACCESS 2.0): January 29 – February 23, 2024
Our curriculum prepares your child for the real world. We give them the tools needed to navigate everyday life with confidence. Our small staff-to-student ratios ensure personal attention.
We use the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in our daily instruction and support. ABA is a scientific approach to understanding behavior. It is the only established method of teaching approved for people with autism. It is effective for teaching children, adolescents, and adults of all abilities.
Our curriculum measures and tracks students’ progress in communication, behavior, and functional skills. The Essential for Living Curriculum teaches students the skills they need to live as independently as possible as an adult. The curriculum emphasizes:
Learning goes beyond the classroom at our Specialty School. Through our community learning experiences, students gain functional and social skills that prepare them to be more independent as adults. We encourage children to step outside their comfort zones and try new things. Many of the children participate in community plays, camps, and art shows through LifeScape’s Center for the Arts. Through these experiences, children gain confidence and learn how to communicate effectively with others.
LifeScape’s PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System) Lab is a hands-on, simulated work environment providing training in work readiness skills for older students. This research-based curriculum helps prepare our students for transition into adulthood and meaningful employment. PAES helps students find their interests in five broad areas:
Each summer, LifeScape has the privilege of serving many additional students from around South Dakota and surrounding states in our Extended School Year (ESY) program. These are students who benefit from year-round instruction but whose school districts do not offer a more comprehensive summer school. Click HERE for more information about our Extended School Year (ESY) program. Our application materials are available HERE [https://d1e7v5mylx61rx.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/Extended-School-Year-Application.pdf].
Learn more about our special education schools by contacting our admissions specialist at (605) 444-9853 or click below to fill out a short form and we will reach out to you shortly.
For information and referrals, contact admissions at 605-444-9550.
Vicki Isler, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Superintendent
605-444-9632
Brittany Dawson, MS, Ed. – Principal
605-444-9544
Tammi Waltjer-Haverly, Ed.D – Special Education Director
605-444-9644
Michelle Bohy, MA – Education Program Specialist
605-444-9627
Jamie Richardson, BS – Project Coordinator/LifeScape Center for the Arts
605-444-9631
Stephanie Busjahn, BS – Admissions Coordinator
605-444-9853
Heidi Bakke – Exceptional Services Facilitator
605-444-9645
Ashley Fleischfresser, BS – Social Worker
605-444-9560
Alysia Sly, BS – Education Administrative Assistant
605-444-9643
Brenna Christiansen, MA, OTR/L – Director of Therapy
605-444-9557
Becky Weeldreyer, RN – Director of Nursing Children’s
605-444-9670
SCHOOL NURSES – Christi Kotzenmacher (RN), Jessica Willprecht (RN), Kim Winckler (RN)
605-444-9691
Katie Busser, MA – Teacher
605-444-9489
Daniel Broek, MA, CAGS – School Psychologist
605-444-9609
Christy Chitwood, MA, TCVI – Teacher
605-444-9499
Tina Clark, MA – Computer Coordinator
605-444-9495
Ari DenOtter-Conroy, MA – Teacher
605-444-9484
Victoria Hagemann, MS – Teacher
605-444-9483
Carly Renken, BS Ed. – Teacher
605-444-9683
Kayden Hoeke – Teacher Associate
Jacob Harrington – Teacher Associate
605-444-9500
Annalesha Kalis, MS, Ed. – Teacher
605-444-9656
Kris Natte, MS – Teacher
605-444-9492
Abby Oien, BS – Teacher
605-444-9494
Abby Oien, BS – Teacher
605-444-9494
Cherie Ortman, MT-BC – Music Therapist
605-444-9493
Erin Stabnow, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Teacher
605-444-9512
Leah Van Tol, MA – Teacher
605-444-9585
Jen Vis, BS – Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
605-444-9647
Seth Weidenbach, BS – Teacher
605-444-9487
Anna Winfrey, MA – Teacher
605-444-9482
Vicki Isler, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Superintendent
605-444-9632
Brittany Dawson, MS, Ed. – Principal
605-444-9544
Tammi Waltjer-Haverly, Ed.D – Special Education Director
605-444-9644
Michelle Bohy, MA – Education Program Specialist
605-444-9627
Jamie Richardson, BS – Project Coordinator/LifeScape Center for the Arts
605-444-9631
Stephanie Busjahn, BS – Admissions Coordinator
605-444-9853
Heidi Bakke – Exceptional Services Facilitator
605-444-9645
Ashley Fleischfresser, BS – Social Worker
605-444-9560
Alysia Sly, BS – Education Administrative Assistant
605-444-9643
Brenna Christiansen, MA, OTR/L – Director of Therapy
605-444-9557
Becky Weeldreyer, RN – Director of Nursing Children’s
605-444-9670
SCHOOL NURSES – Christi Kotzenmacher (RN), Jessica Willprecht (RN), Kim Winckler (RN)
605-444-9691
Katie Busser, MA – Teacher
605-444-9489
Daniel Broek, MA, CAGS – School Psychologist
605-444-9609
Christy Chitwood, MA, TCVI – Teacher
605-444-9499
Tina Clark, MA – Computer Coordinator
605-444-9495
Ari DenOtter-Conroy, MA – Teacher
605-444-9484
Victoria Hagemann, MS – Teacher
605-444-9483
Carly Renken, BS Ed. – Teacher
605-444-9683
Kayden Hoeke – Teacher Associate
Jacob Harrington – Teacher Associate
605-444-9500
Annalesha Kalis, MS, Ed. – Teacher
605-444-9656
Kris Natte, MS – Teacher
605-444-9492
Abby Oien, BS – Teacher
605-444-9494
Abby Oien, BS – Teacher
605-444-9494
Cherie Ortman, MT-BC – Music Therapist
605-444-9493
Erin Stabnow, Ed.D., BCBA-D, LBA – Teacher
605-444-9512
Leah Van Tol, MA – Teacher
605-444-9585
Jen Vis, BS – Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
605-444-9647
Seth Weidenbach, BS – Teacher
605-444-9487
Anna Winfrey, MA – Teacher
605-444-9482
Please complete this form and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
