Home
Welcome to SSD
Special School District of St. Louis County, the largest specialized education provider in the state, equips and empowers students of all learning abilities to excel to their greatest potential. This is realized through an inclusive, collaborative approach, supported by our comprehensive resources and deep expertise - all of which is centered on each student’s unique needs.
SSD Headlines
![Firefighting and Law Enforcement Classes Honor 9/11 First Responders]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1789143604/ssdmoorg/abghkbdpjoyqd5tyufch/DSC_0011.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1789143604/ssdmoorg/abghkbdpjoyqd5tyufch/DSC_0011.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1789143604/ssdmoorg/abghkbdpjoyqd5tyufch/DSC_0011.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1789143604/ssdmoorg/abghkbdpjoyqd5tyufch/DSC_0011.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1789143604/ssdmoorg/abghkbdpjoyqd5tyufch/DSC_0011.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1789143604/ssdmoorg/abghkbdpjoyqd5tyufch/DSC_0011.jpg","width":2200}])
North Tech firefighting and law enforcement students joined together to conduct a formal 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony and Tribute to honor the 2,977 victims and fallen first responders who were killed on September 11 during the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City 25 years ago.
![DHH Teacher Surprised with Education Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788890611/ssdmoorg/ashicmqfqa6rdf8mjifs/DSC_0249.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788890611/ssdmoorg/ashicmqfqa6rdf8mjifs/DSC_0249.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788890611/ssdmoorg/ashicmqfqa6rdf8mjifs/DSC_0249.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788890611/ssdmoorg/ashicmqfqa6rdf8mjifs/DSC_0249.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1788890611/ssdmoorg/ashicmqfqa6rdf8mjifs/DSC_0249.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1788890611/ssdmoorg/ashicmqfqa6rdf8mjifs/DSC_0249.png","width":2200}])
Danielle Willhite, SSD Deaf/Hard of Hearing (DHH) teacher, was recently surprised with the Edward and Esther Haywood Caring Education Award at Parkway Northeast Middle School.
![A woman smiling]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788268163/ssdmoorg/vmpzeumio4aykqtsbzf9/Palmer2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788268163/ssdmoorg/vmpzeumio4aykqtsbzf9/Palmer2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788268163/ssdmoorg/vmpzeumio4aykqtsbzf9/Palmer2.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788268163/ssdmoorg/vmpzeumio4aykqtsbzf9/Palmer2.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788268163/ssdmoorg/vmpzeumio4aykqtsbzf9/Palmer2.png","width":1500}])
At the July 14 Board of Education meeting, the Board approved Lauren Palmer as SSD’s next assistant director of compliance.
![A conference table with microphones in the foreground is set against a backdrop of flags and a green board with the "Special School District of St. Louis County" logo.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1737732473/ssdmoorg/hiiqcgna4ivamijprpxw/BoardElectionCandidate.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1737732473/ssdmoorg/hiiqcgna4ivamijprpxw/BoardElectionCandidate.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1737732473/ssdmoorg/hiiqcgna4ivamijprpxw/BoardElectionCandidate.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1737732473/ssdmoorg/hiiqcgna4ivamijprpxw/BoardElectionCandidate.png","width":1200}])
Two candidates have filed for one open seat representing Subdistrict 2 on the SSD Board of Education in the special election.
![Mollie Sharp Earns MOSHAPE Adapted PE Teacher of the Year Award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788277162/ssdmoorg/bfdy8xmhsgsplxkx33yz/DSC_0375.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788277162/ssdmoorg/bfdy8xmhsgsplxkx33yz/DSC_0375.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788277162/ssdmoorg/bfdy8xmhsgsplxkx33yz/DSC_0375.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1788277162/ssdmoorg/bfdy8xmhsgsplxkx33yz/DSC_0375.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1788277162/ssdmoorg/bfdy8xmhsgsplxkx33yz/DSC_0375.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1788277162/ssdmoorg/bfdy8xmhsgsplxkx33yz/DSC_0375.png","width":2200}])
Mollie Sharp, SSD adapted physical education (APE) teacher in the Parkway School District has been named the Missouri Society of Health & Physical Education (MOSHAPE) and St. Louis District Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year for 2026.
The Governing Council will hold a special election for the open Board of Education seat in Subdistrict 2, which represents Affton, Bayless, Hancock Place, and Mehlville school districts.
![SSD branded photo - Finalsite]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743622847/ssdmoorg/ej3vdd7wxc8kezy06ruw/SSDbrandedphoto-Finalsite1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743622847/ssdmoorg/ej3vdd7wxc8kezy06ruw/SSDbrandedphoto-Finalsite1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1743622847/ssdmoorg/ej3vdd7wxc8kezy06ruw/SSDbrandedphoto-Finalsite1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743622847/ssdmoorg/ej3vdd7wxc8kezy06ruw/SSDbrandedphoto-Finalsite1.png","width":1200}])
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing safe, supportive learning environments, SSD is implementing several districtwide changes to student support practices beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
![Chief Juvenile Officer Rick Gaines, SSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Maclin, UK Minister for Courts and Legal Services Jake Richards, and Summit Academy Principal Ann Hawkey]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1784728415/ssdmoorg/suhro2wgv7azfvx35wd8/Summit_UKVisit1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1784728415/ssdmoorg/suhro2wgv7azfvx35wd8/Summit_UKVisit1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1784728415/ssdmoorg/suhro2wgv7azfvx35wd8/Summit_UKVisit1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1784728415/ssdmoorg/suhro2wgv7azfvx35wd8/Summit_UKVisit1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1784728415/ssdmoorg/suhro2wgv7azfvx35wd8/Summit_UKVisit1.jpg","width":1448}])
SSD recently welcomed Jake Richards, the United Kingdom's Minister for Courts and Legal Services, to Summit Academy as part of an international visit focused on youth justice.
SSD Calendar
![A young woman with Down syndrome smiles holding red pom-poms in the foreground, while a group of people in athletic wear are visible in the blurred background of a gymnasium.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1775483665/ssdmoorg/askoskftuihrqbrxultq/DSC_0425.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1775483665/ssdmoorg/askoskftuihrqbrxultq/DSC_0425.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1775483665/ssdmoorg/askoskftuihrqbrxultq/DSC_0425.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1775483665/ssdmoorg/askoskftuihrqbrxultq/DSC_0425.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1775483665/ssdmoorg/askoskftuihrqbrxultq/DSC_0425.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1775483665/ssdmoorg/askoskftuihrqbrxultq/DSC_0425.jpg","width":2200}])
September 1 2026
Events
Keep up to date on all the latest happenings around Special School District!