Heart to Heart Program

The Heart to Heart (H2H) Program is a specialized, limited-enrollment inclusion program at Christ Episcopal School for students with Down syndrome. Designed for students who are ready to learn alongside their peers, H2H offers rigorous, individualized academic support within a warm, faith-centered community. Our students are not observers of campus life. They are participants, contributors, and friends.

Program Scope

The H2H Program is currently limited to students in grades 2-4. Students are fully included in their grade-level classrooms, with pull-out intervention services tailored to each student’s service plan. The program will expand to include no more than 5-7 students in additional grade levels in future years.

A Place Where Your Child Belongs

From the first day of school, H2H students are members of their grade-level classrooms. They walk the halls with their classes, join school assemblies, and participate in the full life of campus. Our faculty and staff are trained to support diverse learners, and our community is built to welcome them.

How We Teach

H2H delivers a challenging, individualized academic experience grounded in evidence-based practice. Students spend the majority of their day in their grade-level classrooms, with focused pull-out sessions designed to strengthen specific skill areas.

Executive Skills

Independence is a core goal of the H2H program. From navigating campus with their classes to managing transitions between activities, students are supported in developing the self-management skills they need to participate fully in school life. Our team determines the level of support each student needs and adjusts it as they grow.

Is H2H Right for Your Child?

H2H is designed for high-functioning students with Down syndrome who have the skillsets and developmental ability to thrive in an inclusive, academically challenging school environment. To set every student up for success, we look for the following:

Community Readiness

Is your child able to participate in whole-group classroom lessons with support?
Can your child move through campus with the class and manage transitions with minimal assistance?
Can your child manage personal hygiene and toileting independently and age-appropriately?

Medical and Health

Students’ day-to-day medical needs should be manageable by our H2H instructional team. Students with needs requiring medically trained staff on a regular basis are outside the scope of what we are currently able to support.

Behavioral Profile

We are committed to a safe, positive environment for all students. We are not currently able to serve students whose behavior profile includes significant risk factors such as elopement, physical aggression toward peers or adults, persistent self-harm, or highly disruptive verbal behavior. If you have questions about your child’s profile, we encourage you to speak with our H2H director during your family tour.

Your Child’s Individualized Plan

Every H2H student has a personalized service plan developed by our program team. The plan is built around your child’s current strengths and goals across three areas: academic progress, executive function, and social-emotional growth. The service plan is a living document. It guides instruction, tracks progress, and serves as the foundation for ongoing communication between the H2H team and your family. You will always know where your child is, where they are headed, and how we are supporting them along the way.

Meet Claire Brown, H2H Program Director

Claire brings eight years of experience as a special education teacher, with a proven track record of supporting diverse learners through individualized instruction, strong family partnerships, and collaborative inclusion practices. She is skilled at creating student-centered learning environments, designing multi-sensory lessons, and working alongside classroom teachers to maximize each student’s experience. Claire’s approach is built on high expectations, genuine relationships, and a deep belief in what every child can do.

The Admissions Journey

We want every H2H student accepted in the program to thrive, and we want families to find the right school for their child. As a result, our admissions process is intentionally thorough, because a good match matters for everyone.

Step 1: Family Tour

Your visit includes a campus tour and a conversation with our H2H director. This is your opportunity to ask questions, meet our team, and get a feel for the CES community.

Step 2: Application

Families submit the following materials:

Student inquiry form and application
Psychoeducational evaluation completed within the past three years, including social,developmental, and behavioral assessment
Recommendation from a current teacher, therapist, or tutor (not a family member)
Current and past education or service plans (three years)
Behavior support plans, if applicable
Previous transcripts or academic records, if applicable
Permission to observe your child in their current program

Step 3: Evaluation

Our H2H director observes your child in their current setting. Depending on need, this may take one to two days.

Step 4: Student Visit

Your child spends time on our campus. This on-site evaluation, also one to two days as needed, allows us to see your child in our environment and gives your child a chance to experience CES firsthand.

Step 5: Admissions Decision

Our team reviews all information gathered and communicates our decision with your family directly.

Family Partnership

H2H parents are active partners in their child’s education. This includes regular communication with the H2H team and support for meeting all CES student expectations (dress code, attendance, etc.).
Parents accompany their child on overnight trips and field trips. Exemptions may be granted based on H2H instructor recommendation and administrative approval.
H2H students follow all CES school policies as outlined in the Student Handbook.