10 Most Sought-After Private Schools in the US for Kids with Disabilities

950 South Brehm Lane
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 457-0371
admissionsinfo@brehm.org

Brehm Preparatory School is a co-ed boarding school providing support to students in grades six to twelve with learning disabilities and learning differences. Brehm recognizes that a healthy learning environment should consider a variety of factors, including academic needs and the social and emotional well-being of students. With 150 faculty and staff members working with their 90 students, Brehm utilizes an intensive, one-on-one model to get their students started. As the students’ needs and skills progress, they will move into larger classes with eight of their peers. In addition to this model of support and learning, Brehm has five speech-language pathologists on staff and offers access to advanced educational technology. Brehm has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education.

Studio City, CA; Seattle, WA; and online
admissions@bridges.edu

Bridges Academy works with twice-exceptional (2E) students who are bright with learning differences, including executive functioning challenges, autism, and ADHD. Their Studio City and Seattle schools serve grades four to twelve and are designed to help students thrive based on their strengths and talents rather than being defined by their deficits. “These kids are very strong in many areas,” says Carl Sabatino, Head of School. “They want to be with other smart students and find their tribe. We celebrate their gifts and find ways to help them overcome barriers they may face.” Bridges Academy offers social-emotional support at every level, including counselors, therapists, and therapy dogs. Class sizes are small for individualized attention at eight to ten in a class, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 5:1, making it an ideal environment for individualized attention. Their new online academy offers classes for grades six to twelve.

1784 Fairview Road
Glenmoore, PA 19343
(610) 469-9236
information@camphillschool.org

The Camphill School offers boarding, prevocational, and academic day programs for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities in kindergarten to twelfth grade. This Waldorf school has created their curriculum to address academic subjects through traditional means as well as experiential learning. The Camphill School makes it their priority to provide high-quality programming in transitional planning, extended family living, and therapy so that students can gain the skills to meaningfully participate in society and life. This Pennsylvania Approved private school is the only Waldorf school in North America working to provide an educational experience exclusively to students with disabilities.

1713 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10029
(646) 273-5555 Ext. 4
admissions@cookeschool.org

Cooke School, a private special education school in New York City, services students ages five to twenty-one with mild to moderate cognitive or developmental disabilities and severe language-based learning disabilities. The school provides a curriculum focused on academics, life skills, and socio-emotional growth. Their teachers and therapists work collaboratively to provide an academic experience that is supportive and builds off each student’s strengths and needs. The school’s new building offers students access to a variety of different spaces to promote optimal learning. Cooke School is constantly adapting its learning structures and teaching techniques to meet the needs of each student and their families. Cooke is unique in its ability to integrate experiential learning, alternative interventions, and transition planning.

3430 McManus Ave.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 838-2442
rbridges@echohorizon.org

Echo Horizon is an inclusive private elementary school focused on supporting students who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH). Serving Pre-K through sixth grade, Echo Horizon implements a curriculum that combines the best of “traditional” education with evidence-based research and innovative teaching. Each child is individually assessed so that the school can most appropriately meet the needs of the student. The staff remains “open-minded and flexible with our approaches while also understanding that some skills must be mastered as building blocks for deeper learning.” With a max class size of twelve and a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, students receive individual attention.

971 N. Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626)791-1255
school@frostig.org

Sister Campus: Frostig School West
6221 Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Frostig offers two campuses in the Los Angeles area that service kindergarten through twelfth grade students with diagnosed learning disabilities like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia as well as students with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Students with physical disabilities such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy are served if the child also has a learning disorder. With an average class size of twelve and a student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1, individualized attention is guaranteed. Frostig offers onsite clinical services, including educational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychotherapy, and occupational therapy, offered individually or in a small group setting of no more than three students. Services may be provided in the classroom or on a pull-out basis.

4400 Baltimore Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-2566
admissions@hmsschool.org

The HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy offers both a day and residential program for children with complex disabilities that can result from cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or neurological impairment. The school employs an interdisciplinary team of experts in special education and cerebral palsy and uses the most advanced assistive technology and state-of-the-art equipment in their curriculum. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 2:1, teachers collaborate with licensed physical, occupational, speech, and recreation therapists to achieve IEP goals. A student’s team also includes nurses, certified nursing assistants, and a social worker to help the child participate in school and life activities. Families attest to feeling an unparalleled sense of belonging and connection for their children.

2815 Rosefield Dr.
Houston, TX 77080
(713) 479-080
Online contact form

The Monarch School is known for providing therapeutic education for kids in Pre-K through twelfth grade and beyond with neurological differences “such as those associated with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, mood disorders, and others.” Personalized attention begins with a student-to-faculty ratio of under 3:1 and a curriculum that emphasizes building self-regulation, self-awareness, executive functioning, and academic skills. Therapeutic services by professionals such as psychologists, counselors, social workers, and therapists are delivered in the classroom, and specialists work with teachers and students as a team to develop relationship-based behavioral and cognitive goals.

3939 Landmark Street
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 840-0500
pcs@parkcenturyschool.org

Park Century in Culver City, CA specializes in students with a primary diagnosis of a language-based learning difference such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or another processing deficit. Often, this is combined with a diagnosis of ADHD, which impacts executive functioning and metacognition. Park Century services second through eighth grade, and their class size is capped at thirteen with a student-to-teacher ratio of 3:1. Their curriculum utilizes the latest research on brain plasticity and neurodiversity, bolstering children’s strengths while also remediating academic struggles.

551 Route 6A
East Sandwich, MA 02537
(508) 888-0489
admissions@riverviewschool.org

Established in 1957 and located in the historical village of East Sandwich on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Riverview School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school. Riverview educates students ages twelve to twenty-two with complex language and learning challenges that include autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. The school’s focus is on helping students gain academic, social, and independent living skills. Riverview’s student-to-teacher ratio is typically no higher than 6:1. Students have opportunities to participate in inclusive sports, drama, music, and visual arts. Riverview offers a strong transition program that includes learning life preparation skills at their school-based Café Riverview and Thrift Store. Students collaborate in their education by creating academic and social goals for themselves that help develop advocacy skills.