School Based Services was founded in 1997, as a response to public school district requests for in-district support of low-incidence special needs students, rather than placing those students in out-of-district schools. The collaboration served dual purposes: allowing students to be educated effectively in their home school district and at a fraction of the cost of placing them out-of-district. In the face of a higher percentage of highly disruptive and challenging students; School Based Services' original intent was expanded to include alternative education students who responded to a higher staff-to-student ratio, highly structured environments, collaborative problem solving, a positive behavioral support system and high-interest learning topics with deep connection to their community.

As the behavioral, academic, anti-bullying and school culture needs of schools and communities continue to demand immediate attention, School Based Services has expanded to create unique programs to meet these diverse needs of public school districts with our original intent: to keep costs under control and maintain and educate students in their own communities.