Special Education
Pathways to Success
for Diverse Learners
At Madonna Ability Alliance, we believe students with diverse abilities deserve an education that develops their strengths, supports their needs, and empowers them for a vibrant future.
Elementary Program
Offered in partnership with Holy Name, St. Pius X/St. Leo, and St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Schools, Madonna's Inclusive Elementary Program serves students in grades PK-8. Through this innovative partnership students with IDD & ASD are provided with a full suite of individualized supports while learning side-by-side with their siblings, friends, and peers!
Program Details
- Madonna experts provide ongoing program direction, professional development, and instructional coaching.
- Special Education veterans at partner schools execute tailored learning plans for each student.
- Munroe-Meyer Institute and other leading providers offer onsite services including Speech-Language, Occupational, Physical, Behavioral, and Recreational Therapy.
- Most students successfully spend 80% or more of the school day learning in the general education setting.
Secondary Program
In our Secondary Program, students continue to build their core skills while preparing and for life after high school. We emphasize traditional academics, functional academics, career & life skills development, and robust co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities to help students discover their interests, maximize their strengths, and build friendships that last a lifetime.
Program Details
- Curriculum blending core academics, functional academics, and real-world skill development.
- Inclusive academic & social enrichment opportunities in partnership with Roncalli Catholic High School.
- Weekly community integration and work skill building activities.
- Unified Sports, Special Olympics, Art, Music, P.E. and more!
Young Adult Program
Our Young Adult Program is designed for students ages 18-21 who seek to move into adulthood prepared to self-advocate, navigate their community, and gain competitive employment. Here, young adults advance their daily life skills, social skills, and employment readiness while building their personal autonomy and independence.
Program Details
- Hands-on training to advance young adults through five core domains:
- Functional academics
- Independent living
- Career/vocational training
- Community mobility
- Recreation & leisure
- Daily community-based learning and worksite training experiences.
- Career exploration and supported employment opportunities through our Summer Internship Program and Project SEARCH!
Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH is a nationally renowned program that prepares young adults with IDD & ASD for competitive employment through a school year of immersive job training. Madonna’s Project SEARCH is operated on the campus of UNMC/Nebraska Medicine in partnership with Munroe-Meyer Institute, Nebraska VR, OPS, Cardinal Health & Sodexo.
Amazing learning experience as a member of Nebraska’s largest health and research campus.
A best-practice 9-month work training-to-employment model.
Seamless continuum of support from Madonna staff from pre-employment to employment.
Proven results with over 85% of graduates achieving competitive employment within 3-6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some of our most common special education questions.
Question #1 - What levels of need does Madonna support?
Madonna supports students with mild to moderate IDD & ASD who thrive in small group and whole group learning environments. Though each student Madonna serves requires some 1:1 support each week, Madonna is not resourced to support students who require consistent and ongoing 1:1 support due to behavioral or health needs.
Question #2 - What levels of inclusion does Madonna provide?
We work to maximize inclusion across our Education Programs. Most students served by our Elementary Program are able to spend 80% or more of each week learning in the general education setting. Secondary students have dedicated time each week in the general education with same age peers and/or in the community, while Young Adult Program students spend 50% of each week in community and workplace training settings.
Question #3 - Is Madonna open to partnering with our Elementary School or High School?
Yes! Madonna currently has 3 partner Catholic Elementary Schools and our goal is 8-10 partner schools across the Omaha metro, including High Schools. This is an alliance of the willing and fully committed. Interested schools should reach out to Madonna's President to begin a conversation. From there, we will partner with the school to evaluate their current practice, build a multi-phase development plan to strengthen cultural awareness and professional best-pratice, and map out a launch plan that will allow the school to offer inclusive education to students with IDD & ASD for generations to come.
Why Families Choose Madonna
Parents choose Madonna Ability Alliance programs for more than academics. They choose us because we offer a community where students are celebrated for who they are, supported effectively, and included with their peers in the classroom and community. Through Madonna, children and young adults of all abilities grow in faith, knowledge, friendship, and confidence.