When the school administrators in Columbus, Ohio, told us our son was low functioning and that Inclusion would not be the "least restrictive environment" for him, we knew we had to look elsewhere. Jack was bored in his special education classroom, and they took his disinterest to mean that he was functioning at a low cognitive level. If he was to have a chance to show us what he was capable of, we'd have to find a community that believed in him.

Jack has Cerebral Palsy and uses a walker to get around. He decided several years ago that he didn't want to use a wheelchair, so he's highly motivated to develop his walking ability. He also uses an augmentative communication device to express himself and to do his schoolwork. Nothing physical is easy for our son, but he seldom complains, and we've never seen evidence of any type of self-pity. He knows we believe in him and he believes in himself.

We'd known we wanted to eventually relocate in San Francisco, and when we hit a dead end with Columbus schools, we started investigating the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). I looked at numerous elementary school websites, and liked what I saw.

I checked out the Special Education page, and it offered a great deal more options than we'd been given in Ohio. I came across the website for Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy (HMCRA), and knew that was the school I wanted Jack to attend. The mission statement was in line with my own social and educational beliefs, and it just felt right to me.

We made the move to San Francisco in July of 2005. We were lucky enough to be able to enroll Jack in the HMCRA inclusion program, and our entire family stepped into a wonderful community. Harvey Milk has students with various disabilities and learning challenges in each grade level. Diversity is valued throughout the school community, and kids with disabilities are truly a part of this.

HMCRA celebrates National Inclusion Week throughout the school and all students make posters and write essays using the theme "Together We're Better". Several students in Jack's class wrote about their experience getting to know Jack and expressed their appreciation at having him in their class.

Last year, Jack did all the same academic work that his second-grade peers did. He had a wonderful paraprofessional to help him through his day, and he made good friends throughout the year. We've watched him develop a strong sense of belonging and self-esteem.

Principal Sande Leigh, teachers and support staff of the school welcomed us all. As his parents, we are part of a team that works together to provide a positive educational experience for all students. Jack's grandparents were visiting from Ohio on the first day of school this year, and they were amazed at how many students approached him that day, expressing their happiness at seeing him after the long summer break.

The 2006-2007 school year has been great. Jack adores his teacher and is doing a great job with his schoolwork. He runs out to join the kids on the schoolyard at recess, and his buddies make sure to include him in their games. These are experiences he wouldn't have had if we were still in Ohio. We are so happy to be here. With a supportive environment and the right philosophies, inclusion works. Jack is living, succeeding proof that it does.

Amy Vaile and her partner Jennifer Comeans are the proud parents of Jack Vaile, a third grade student at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. Jennifer is a special education teacher and Amy is completing her BA at New College of California.