​ SAN JOSE, CA – The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) announced today that it is expanding special education offerings for students with disabilities to include services for students in grades 6 and up to its South County Annex in Gilroy.​

“We are pleased to be able to provide this option for eligible students and their families,” said County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “I am thankful for the partnerships with both Gilroy Unified School District and Morgan Hill Unified School District. It is because of these valued partnerships that we are able to offer this expanded option for middle school and older students in south county.”

“We are thrilled to partner with the Santa Clara County Office of Education to provide resources to secondary students in South County,” said Dr. Anisha Munshi, Superintendent of the Gilroy Unified School District.  “Providing programming at the South County Annex will ensure students’ needs are met by skilled and caring staff members, close to home.”    

"We're grateful to the Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Gilroy Unified School District for their unwavering partnership and dedication to meeting the unique needs of our students,” said Dr. Carmen Garcia, Superintendent of Morgan Hill Unified School District. “This innovative approach will serve to educate and foster a culture of inclusion, providing boundless opportunities for each and every child to thrive, every single day. "

The expansion of services to youth in grades 6 and up will begin in early November and will support both Gilroy Unified and Morgan Hill Unified School District students with disabilities in secondary grades. Once on campus, students will have access to gardening and music classes, weekly swimming, field trips, the student wellness center, and inclusion opportunities with peers.

“South County Annex is a rich educational campus with a diverse student population as well as community services including a community health clinic. This expansion enriches the offerings to our south county families that have students with special needs,” Dewan stated.

The SCCOE South County Annex offers a variety of academic programs for individuals preschool-aged through 22 years old. The diverse academic programs currently include Head Start early learning, Opportunity Youth Academy, South County Community School, and Migrant Education. To learn more about the educational programs offered by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, visit https://www.sccoe.org/depts/educational-services/Pages/default.aspx