Lynchburg City Schools

LAUREL, Central Virginia's regional public education program, is located at 401 Monticello Ave., in Lynchburg. It is governed by its own school board with five areas school divisions represented. The LAUREL program provides classroom instruction for regional students, ages 2-21, who are severely and profoundly mentally or physically handicapped or autistic. In addition to the specialized classroom program, other services available to eligible students include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision services and services for the hearing impaired. 

LAUREL also offers occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision services, and services for the hearing impaired on an itinerant basis to participating school divisions.

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy is involved in developing or facilitating an effective and consistent means of communication for the LAUREL students. It may involve the use of adaptive communication systems or augmentative devices.

Vision Services

Vision services are provided to students with a visual impairment which, even after correction, adversely affects the child's educational performance.

Occupational Therapy

As a related service, occupational therapy is provided to eligible students to assist their performance in their special education program. Occupational therapy addresses such areas as daily living skills, fine motor coordination, motor planning, eye-hand coordination, sensorimotor skills, and psychosocial skills.

Physical Therapy

As a related service, physical therapy is also provided to assist eligible students to perform in their special education program. Physical therapy is concerned with mobility, ambulation, and positioning which includes adaptive equipment.

The Alternate Program

An alternate educational program is available for pregnant teenagers. The program is designed to allow them to continue their education in a supportive and adult atmosphere. 

A registered nurse supervises the medical needs of students in both center-based programs.