Securing Educational Options for Your Child

When a public school fails to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to a student with disabilities, parents have the right to seek private school placement at the district’s expense. However, obtaining tuition reimbursement for a private school can be a complex legal process requiring evidence that the public school was inadequate and that the private placement is appropriate for the student’s needs.

At Ratliff Jackson LLP, our Education Law Attorneys represent families seeking private school tuition reimbursement due to a public school’s failure to meet FAPE requirements. If your child is not receiving the educational services, accommodations, or individualized instruction they need, we can help you pursue funding for private education.

Why You Need Attorneys for Private School Placement Reimbursement

School districts often resist paying for private school tuition, arguing that their programs are sufficient even when they fail to meet a child’s needs. Securing reimbursement requires a strong legal strategy, extensive documentation, and often a due process hearing.

Here is why hiring Education Law Attorneys is essential for private school placement cases:

• Proving Public School Failure is Critical – Families must show that the public school did not meet FAPE requirements, leading to educational harm.
• The Private School Must Be Appropriate – Parents must demonstrate that the private school meets their child’s educational needs better than the public school.
• Strict Legal Procedures Must Be Followed – Parents must notify the school district of intent to place their child in private school and follow procedural deadlines.
• School Districts Fight Against Reimbursement – Many schools argue that their programs are adequate to avoid paying private tuition costs.

Our Attorneys help families build strong cases for private school reimbursement and represent them in negotiations, mediation, and due process hearings.

Common Private School Reimbursement Cases We Handle

Our Education Law Attorneys assist families in cases involving:

• Denial of Special Education Services – Seeking private placement when a school fails to provide required IEP or 504 Plan services.
• Inadequate Public School Programs – Challenging poorly designed special education programs that do not meet a child’s needs.
• Failure to Provide a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) – Ensuring students receive an inclusive education in a setting that supports their success.
• Unmet Behavioral, Social, or Emotional Needs – Seeking private placement for students requiring specialized interventions.
• District Refusal to Pay for Previously Approved Private Placements – Challenging school districts that try to revoke funding for a student’s approved private education.

If your child is not receiving the education they need and deserve, our Attorneys can help you fight for private school placement reimbursement.

How We Secure Private School Tuition Reimbursement

When a public school fails to provide FAPE, parents have legal options to recover tuition costs and secure a better education for their child. Possible remedies include:

• Full or Partial Tuition Reimbursement – Forcing school districts to cover the cost of private school placement.
• Compensatory Educational Services – Securing additional academic support if private placement is denied.
• Negotiated Settlements with School Districts – Reaching agreements to pay for private education without litigation.
• Due Process Hearings for FAPE Violations – Challenging the district’s failure to provide an adequate education.

Who We Help – Advocating for Families Seeking Private School Placement

Our Education Law Attorneys represent:

• Parents seeking private school reimbursement after a denial of FAPE.
• Families challenging inadequate public school programs for children with disabilities.
• Students needing specialized therapeutic, behavioral, or academic programs.
• Parents whose tuition reimbursement requests have been denied by the school district.

We are committed to ensuring that students receive the education they need—whether in a public or private setting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When can parents seek private school tuition reimbursement?

Parents can pursue reimbursement when a public school fails to provide FAPE, and the private school better meets the child’s needs. A formal process must be followed, including notifying the district before placement.

How do I prove that the public school failed to meet my child’s needs?

Evidence can include:

• IEP progress reports showing lack of progress.
• Expert evaluations from psychologists, therapists, or educators.
• Records of unaddressed academic, behavioral, or emotional needs.
• Correspondence documenting school failures.

What type of private school qualifies for reimbursement?

The private school must provide appropriate special education services, individualized support, and a program that addresses the student’s unique needs better than the public school.

How long does the process take?

It depends on whether the district agrees to pay or disputes the request. If mediation or a due process hearing is required, the process can take several months.

Contact Our Education Law Attorneys

If your child’s public school has failed to provide FAPE, you may be entitled to private school tuition reimbursement. However, securing funding for private placement requires a strong legal case and experienced advocacy.

At Ratliff Jackson LLP, our Education Law Attorneys fight to ensure students receive the education they deserve—whether in a public or private school. If your child is not getting the support they need, we are here to help.

Contact Our Attorneys today to discuss your case and explore your legal options.