Research your county records for due process case results, any from current school are even better. Is this a seperate high school or continuation in current school? I am assuming with his age you have a vast IEP experience already and know the players well. If the school (current) is not backing you on this then its a hurtle. Perhaps you have never had issues until now so this is your first fight. So many, if not most, families believe their child is in need of a different and more "appropriate" school, but the system is not set up for whats "right". The doctor will not play a role sadly and you need school data that supports that chosen school is "incapable" of supporting IEP. So there are a few things...

*get IEP revised prior to meeting on placement discussions. Keep this plan to yourself until you get your ducks in a row...if school is not already aware

*get a solid advocate to help get IEP revised. Do homework on what private school can offer that the other cant and push for that revision on IEP

**schools will lie and say they can accommodate, but they wont make revision if they think its for placement

* Dont rush anything. Take time to get your side in order

*be prepared to pay out of pocket based on statistics.Start saving now.

* Dont give up, but dont drain your bank or sanity if not a cricial need. Meaning, if your child is "safe"...count your blessings and keep your money

*Lastly, Good Luck☘☘🙂🙂

Warriormom32 is correct in all she mentioned! It is a very uphill battle for private placement indeed! Definitely consider a Special Education Consultant ( advocate). It is worth the money. Also if you need to bring in outside individuals for observations, find out the district policy on that before hiring someone on behalf of the family, the school district needs to have someone equivalent representing them while the observation is going on. Good Luck!