How Good Shepherd School for Children Supports Children with Special Needs

Good Shepherd School for Children (goodss.org) is a not-for-profit early childhood education school and therapy center in West St. Louis County, Missouri. It supports children with special needs in two main ways: an inclusive early learning center where up to 33% of children in each classroom may have special needs, and an outpatient pediatric therapy program (up to age 18) offering speech, occupational, physical, and developmental therapy from licensed therapists. Children can enroll from 6 weeks old until they enter kindergarten.

Inclusion in the Classroom

The school's stated mission is helping each child reach his or her full potential, and it pursues that by serving typically developing children and children with special needs side by side in the same classrooms.

• Classroom mix: Up to thirty-three percent of children in each classroom can have special needs.
• Conditions served: These can include the autistic spectrum, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, global developmental delays, and other disorders.
• Scale: Only 78 full-time students are enrolled, which the school frames as a way for each child to receive individual attention.
• Track record: In the prior year, Good Shepherd served 129 children, 60 of whom had special needs.

Who teaches the children

Each child benefits from having toddler and preschool teachers who hold a four-year degree and have been at Good Shepherd for years, according to the school.

Therapy Services

For families whose primary interest is therapy rather than classroom enrollment, Good Shepherd offers individual pediatric therapy up to age 18, delivered by licensed therapists. The listed therapy types are:

• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Developmental therapy

Outpatient therapy is often covered by insurance, and the school states its therapy team can help families navigate the related paperwork. Coverage and cost depend on your individual insurance plan, so confirm details with the school and your insurer.

Tuition and Scheduling

Tuition rates published on the site are based on a 5-day-per-week schedule:

The lower rate applies once a child turns 2. Part-time schedules are considered on a case-by-case basis, so families needing reduced hours should ask directly rather than assume a standard part-time option exists.

Practical Details for Families

• Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Location: 1170 Timber Run Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146
• Phone: 314.469.0606
• Enrollment: The site states it is enrolling for all age groups.
• Separate inquiry forms: There is a general inquiry form and a dedicated special needs inquiry form — families seeking special needs placement or therapy should use the special needs form.
• Tours: A virtual tour is available, and the site references hours of operation and tours.

What to Verify Before Applying

The school is an independent not-for-profit led by a board of directors, with no religious affiliation and no connection to other organizations named "Good Shepherd." Because classroom capacity is small and the special needs mix is capped per classroom, availability for a specific age group or level of support can vary. Before applying, ask:

1. Whether space exists in the relevant age group and how the 33% classroom cap affects your child's timing.
2. What documentation or evaluation the school needs to plan support.
3. Whether you are seeking classroom enrollment, therapy, or both — these run through different inquiry forms.
4. How insurance would apply if you pursue outpatient therapy.

Contact the school directly at 314.469.0606 or through the inquiry forms on goodss.org to confirm current openings, rates, and next steps.