A comprehensive list of Greater Boston, Massachusetts and New England Special Needs Education Schools working to help children and your adults with LD.


Looking for Boston Special Needs Resources? Check out the Special Needs Guide for Boston Massachusetts Families

Looking for Boston Special Needs Summer Camps? Check out the Greater Boston Northeast Camp Guide


Some of the best schools throughout Greater Boston, Massachusetts and New England, either accept, exclusively, motivated kids with learning and other disabilities, or are “LD-friendly,” offering individualized work with LD students. They tend to be small, and admission is competitive; the application process typically begins at least a year in advance. Different types of state aid may be available. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and school success is a prevalent problem for middle school and high school students. ADD/ADHD has symptoms that include inattention to detail, impulsivity, poor concentration, and, possibly, oppositional defiance disorder.

After more than a decade of research and press about learning disabilities and the controversial practice of medicating children as young as 4, private and public schools throughout Greater Boston, Massachusetts, and New England are alert, if not hypersensitive, to the earliest signs of learning difficulties. At the same time, an ever-expanding legion of specialists is helping kids with learning issues and learning disabilities decode language and handle the rigorous homework and exams that competitive private schools demand. All this attention allows many bewildered, underachieving elementary-school kids to make dramatic gains and perform much more like the intelligent children that they are.

Public schools are mandated by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act to educate all children in the “least restrictive environment.” Hence, LD kids, who made up more than half of the students referred to special education last year, are usually mainstreamed in general-ed classes and given an Individual Education Plan, or IEP, that outlines whatever additional tutoring, therapy, or accommodations are needed.

Naturally, some districts do a better job than others, and what looks good on paper doesn’t necessarily live up to its promise. Some parents who don’t feel their child’s IEP is working and have borrowed money, mortgaged their houses, taken funds out of their 401(k)’s, borrowed $1,000 from 25 different relatives to pay tuition. It’s not because they don’t want their kids to go to public school. They just want them to get an appropriate education.


Andover, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Melmark New England

461 River Rd.

978-654-4300

melmarkne.org

Melmark New England’s school is set on nine acres in Andover, Massachusetts. This program setting provides residential, educational, and rehabilitative services for children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities. The individuals served are able to participate in community outings and trips, and a few of the adults work at off-campus vocational opportunities. Melmark New England’s program setting features four children’s residences adjacent to the school and seven residences in neighboring towns to serve children and adults.

 

Partners in Child Development
(Formerly Professional Center for Child 
Development)

32 Osgood St.

978-475-3806

www.MyPCD.org

Nurturing the growth and potential of EVERY child, Partners in Child Development provides children of all abilities with a solid foundation for life-long learning through our educational and therapeutic programs. We continue to celebrate and strengthen the partnerships that have supported our growth over the last 50 years, and will help us develop new, innovative educational programs and therapeutic practices in the next 50 years.

 

Belmont, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Pathways Academy

115 Mill Street

617-855-2847

cnspathwaysacademy.org

Pathways Academy is a private, year-round school developed to meet the psychological, social, and academic needs of children and adolescents ages 6 through 22 with autism spectrum and related disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, nonverbal learning disability, sensory processing disorder, socialization and peer-relations problems, anxiety disorders, and school phobias.

 

Beverly, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Beverly School for the Deaf

6 Echo Ave.

978-927-7070

https://cccbsd.org

Beverly School for the Deaf is open to all children with any degree of hearing loss, from preschool to high school.

 

Boston, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Carter Developmental Center

396 Northampton St

617-635-9832

https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/school/carter-development-center

Carter is a coeducational public special needs school for students in grades 6 through 12.

 

William McKinley

90 Warren Ave.

617-635-9976

https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/school/mckinley-elementary-school

William McKinley is a coeducational public special needs school for students in grades 1 through 12.

 

Brighton, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Kennedy Day School at Franciscan Children’s

30 Warren St.

617-779-1581

www.kennedydayschool.org

Kennedy Day School at Franciscan Children’s combines nearly sixty years of experience and proven expertise with an updated facility that reflects our reputation for excellence and innovation. We provide fully collaborative special education, therapeutic and health services to students from all across Massachusetts, ages three to twenty-two with significant, complex medical, physical and cognitive needs. Kennedy Day School has a year-round open admissions policy. Kennedy Day School, so every kid can learn.

 

Cambridge, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Farr Academy

71 Pearl St.

617-492-4922

farracademy.org

Farr Academy accepts students in grades 7 through 12 and provides them with the right programs to help them learn and grow academically, socially and emotionally. 

 

Canton, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Judge Rotenberg Educational Center

250 Turnpike St.

781-828-2202

judgerc.org

Serves children from age 3 to adult and offers many different programs ranging from special needs day, respite and residential school.

 

Chelmsford, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

The Paul Center

39 Concord Rd.

978-256-4396

thepaulcenter.org

The Paul Center offers programs for children 6 to 21 years old. The programs have many different options depending on your needs, ranging from Saturday Respite Care to an overnight summer camp.

 

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Campus School at Boston College

140 Commonwealth Ave.

617-552-3460

www.bc.edu/campusschool

The Campus School at Boston College educates students ages 3 to 21 with extensive support needs, including complex health care needs. Our dedicated educators, therapists, and nurses utilize a transdisciplinary approach to realize the potential in each one of our students.

Since 1970, Campus School at Boston College has been providing exceptional education and care to students with extensive support needs, including complex medical needs. Nestled on the Boston College campus in Chestnut Hill, MA, Campus School proudly offers open enrollment for students aged 3-22.

 

Chicopee, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

May Institute (multiple locations)

2024 Westover Road

413-377-1450

mayinstitute.org

The May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs.

 

Dartmouth, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Schwartz Center for Children

1 Posa Place

508-996-3391

http://www.meetingstreet.org/Schools/The-Schwartz-School

The Schwartz Center for Children offers many different programs and services for children with special health care needs as young as newborns. 

 

East Sandwich, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Riverview School

Route 6A

508-888-0489

riverviewschool.org

A leader in educating extraordinary students.

Riverview School is an independent, coeducational boarding/day school, located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Riverview is a leader in educating students with complex language and learning challenges. We’re committed to helping each of our students gain academic, social, and independent living skills to achieve their goals.

Riverview School is a community that values and celebrates diversity as essential to the experience of our students, staff and community. We embrace and respect differences, including but not limited to: race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, cultural heritage, educational background, and of course learning styles. As a community that aspires to reflect and prepare our students for the increasingly diverse world, Riverview supports and nurtures the whole child and their full identity.

Riverview School values each student as an individual and acknowledges the importance of students having a voice in the development of their goals, program, and instruction. Families likewise play a crucial role, particularly in supporting students who need assistance in expressing their needs, desires, and preferences. Consistent with Riverview’s mission and whole person philosophy, the School is committed to offering interventions and identifying strengths that empower students to increase their skills in the core competencies of education, social /emotional, independent living, wellness, and vocational readiness. The overall goal is for the Riverview’s graduates to possess the skills that will offer the highest degree of access to a fulfilling life. Riverview strives to individualize programming, to be sensitive to student and family wishes when possible, and to offer reasonable accommodations that coincide with its overall approach, philosophy, and program. Riverview also recognizes its role in promoting acceptance and building awareness of the valuable contributions people with unique needs can make to the greater community.

 

Fall River, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Fall River Deaconess Home

P.O Box 2118

508-674-4847

deaconesshome.org

Fall River Deaconess Home offers residential and educational programs to young women ages 11 to 22. 

 

Framingham, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Reed Academy

1 Winch St.

508-877-1222

reedacademy.net

The main focus for Reed Academy is to promote emotional and academic growth for young boys with special needs. They offer residential school as well as a day program.

 

Learning Center for the Deaf

848 Central St.

508-879-5110

tlcdeaf.org

The Learning Center for the Deaf offers campus-based programs for children ages 3 to 14 who are deaf or hard of hearing.

 

Hanover, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Cardinal Cushing Centers

405 Washington St.

781-826-6371

cushingcenters.com

The Cardinal Cushing Center offers children of all ages with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disabilities many different programs and services to help the students reach their goals.

 

Lawrence, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Partners in Child Development
(Formerly The Professional Center Child Development)

439 S. Union Street, Bldg. 1, Ste. 110

978-688-5070

www.MyPCD.org

Nurturing the growth and potential of EVERY child, Partners in Child Development provides children of all abilities with a solid foundation for life-long learning through our educational and therapeutic programs. We continue to celebrate and strengthen the partnerships that have supported our growth over the last 50 years, and will help us develop new, innovative educational programs and therapeutic practices in the next 50 years.

 

Lexington, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Community Therapeutic Day School

187 Spring St.

781-861-7081

communitytherapeuticdayschool.org

Community Therapeutic Day Schools offers children ages 3 to 12 years old with neurologic and emotional disabilities different programs ranging from a 10-month program to a four-week summer program.

 

Cotting School

453 Concord Ave.

781-862-7323

cotting.org

Cotting School meets the unique needs of students with a broad range of learning and communication disabilities, physical challenges and complex medical conditions by providing an array of collaborative services. Our day and boarding programs are designed to enable students to realize their highest potential, both during and after enrollment.

 

Lincoln, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

The Carroll School

25 Baker Bridge Rd.

781-259-8342

carrollschool.org

The Carroll School is a day school for elementary and middle school students who have specific learning disabilities.

 

Longmeadow, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Willie Ross School for the Deaf

32 Norway St.

413-567-0374

wrsdeaf.org

Willie Ross School for the Deaf offers a dual campus program for children in pre-k to high school. 

 

Methuen, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

St. Ann’s Home & School

100A Haverhill St.

978-682-5276

st.annshome.org

St. Ann’s Home and School offers young children and adolescents a residential program, day school program and outpatient services. 

 

Milford, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Evergreen Center

345 Fortune Blvd.

508-478-2631

evergreenctr.org

The Evergreen Center was founded in 1982 by Dr. Robert F. Littleton, Jr. to provide day and residential treatment services for children and adolescents with severe developmental disabilities. Evergreen’s standard for successful instruction is social competence and community participation. We believe children will develop to their maximum potential when instruction is woven through daily activities and living environments. Evergreen students live in residential neighborhoods and travel to and from our school each day through the Blackstone Valley Massachusetts countryside. Our individualized education programs are based upon the principles of applied behavioral analysis and evidence-based practice. The Evergreen Center employs a multi-disciplinary team of trained professionals responsible for the success of each student’s individualized education program.

 

Newton, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Dearborn Academy

575 Washington Street

781-641-5992

https://dearbornacademy.org/what-we-do/high-school/

Dearborn Academy is one of the oldest and most distinguished special needs schools in New England.

 

Learning Prep School

1507 Washington Street

617-965-0764

www.learningprep.org

Founded in 1970, Learning Prep School is a non-profit, independent day school approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and is a member of The Massachusetts Association of Chapter 766 Approved Private Schools. Complex learning profiles of our students involve a primary language-based deficit such as a specific learning disability in reading/writing or a language disorder. Secondary diagnoses may include ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder (level 1) and executive functioning weakness.

 

Norwood, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

May Institute (multiple locations)

1 Commerce Way

508-588-8800

mayinstitute.org

The May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs.

 

Randolph, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

May Institute (multiple locations)

41 Pacella Park Drive

877-313-3833

mayinstitute.org

The May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs.

Rowley, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Clark School

14 Forest Ridge Dr.

978-777-4699

clarkschool.com

Clark School, located in Rowley, MA, offers a unique and individualized learning environment for children grades K-12, through its project-based curriculum and therapeutic environment.  Small classes allow for personal attention to every child, and students are encouraged to excel at their own pace in each subject area.

Founded in 1978, Clark School is particularly appropriate for all types of students. Clark is unique in that we accept students who demonstrate high intellectual, creative or leadership abilities, have learning differences, or are looking for a 21st Century learning experience.  Clark School students respond to an environment that encourages them to develop their talents fully, in and out of the classroom. The school emphasizes positive personal values, high achievement and meaningful participation in the community.

 

Southborough, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

The New England Center for Children

33 Turnpike Rd.

508-481-1015

necc.org

The New England Center for Children’s (NECC) mission is to create a global network of educators, researchers, and programs so that those living with autism may live fuller lives. NECC provides comprehensive services for children with autism through day and residential programs, partner classrooms in public school systems, consulting services, and autism curriculum software for teachers. NECC provides staff with initial training, ongoing professional development, and graduate program opportunities in order to train future educators.

 

Sudbury, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

The Corwin-Russell School at Broccoli Hall

142 North Rd.

978-369-1444

www.broccolihall.org

“A school’s not a place – it’s people.” It’s a coming together of community and of beliefs shared by many. We believe that education includes learning to build stronger connections to the world.

The Corwin-Russell School at Broccoli Hall is a small private college-prep school for around 35 exceptionally bright students, grades 6 to 13. Through involvement in thinking, learning, communicating and evaluating, we help our students build the resourcefulness, self-responsibility and confidence that allows them to take risks and unlock their interests, talents, academic and personal potential. Our educational philosophy, based on the Latin “educare”, is based on trust, responsibility, expression and a belief in each other and the school community.

As well as the traditional academic areas, we offer an outstanding visual and performing arts program, and outdoor learning experiences. Combining theater, music and art workshops students are encouraged to try new things and take risks, practice problem-solving as a group while inspiring each other. Part of our curriculum – the Drama Intersession – provides students with an enriching theater experience. Our outdoor program Project FEAT, seeks to foster a willingness to try something new, push limits and promote self-confidence. Students participate in activities designed to be individually challenging as well as fun! Our extended campus on Silver Lake in AuSable Forks, New York offers term-time and summer overnight trips.

Due to our small size and our philosophy, we do not rank students or calculate GPAs. Nearly 97% of our graduating seniors choose to pursue a college degree. Our students have been accepted to an impressive list of post-secondary schools such as Brown University, Berklee College of Music, Northeastern University, Suffolk University, University of London (UK) and more.

 

Walpole, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

League School of Greater Boston

300 Boston-Providence Turnpike

508-850-3900

leagueschool.org

For more than fifty years, League School of Greater Boston has remained committed to helping children and young adults, ages 3-22, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by teaching them the skills they need to be as independent as they possibly can in all aspects of their lives: social, emotional, academic, behavioral, and vocational.

This mission is upheld through three distinct programs designed to teach social, academic, behavior and community-life skills based on a student’s age and ability. Each program includes: content area academics (reading, math, science and social studies); full array of services (social pragmatics, communications, sensory integration, occupational therapy and behavior therapy); adapted physical education, art, music, culinary arts, daily living skills, community field trips and vocational training.

 

Waltham, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Milestone Day School and Transition Program

410 Totten Pond Rd., Floor 2

781-895-3200

advancingmilestones.com

Milestones serves students ages 7-22 with ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, and/or mental health challenges in our state-of-the-art facility. Students participate in customized academic instruction with embedded therapeutic programming. Our robust teams explicitly teach executive functioning, sensory/motor, social/language skills and psychological intervention. Our rigorous 21st century academic program, supported by reading and math specialists, permits AP coursework and dual enrollment opportunities in high school alongside community-based instruction. The collaboration of our skilled clinical, academic & transitions faculty culminates in a community that intuitively responds to each student’s unique needs. Student outcomes translate to individuals emerging with the confidence & skills to achieve a variety of successes including re-entry to public school, college admissions, meaningful relationships, and fulfilling employment. At Milestones, students find a place where they feel they belong, often for the first time and leave prepared for the next step in their journey.

 

Watertown, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

Perkins School for the Blind

175 North Beacon St.

617-924-3434

perkins.org

At Perkins School for the Blind, our mission is clear: Prepare children and young adults with visual impairments, multiple disabilities, or who are deafblind with the education, confidence, and skills they need to reach their full potential. Because we believe every child can learn.

Learn more at Perkins.org/admissions 

 

Weston, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

The Gifford School

177 Boston Post Rd.

781-899-9500

gifford.org

The Gifford School provides educational services in a clinical milieu to students with complex social, emotional, and learning challenges so that they may achieve their full potential. 

Students from 4th grade through high school are referred to the Gifford School by their public school districts. We serve students from over 50 communities throughout Massachusetts

The Gifford School provides all students with equal access to services, facilities, and activities regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

 

West Springhill, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

May Institute (multiple locations)

48 Capital Drive

413-785-5462

mayinstitute.org

The May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs.

 

Wilmington, Massachusetts Special Needs Education Schools

May Institute (multiple locations)

50-E Concord Street

978-909-3990

mayinstitute.org

The May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, brain injury and neurobehavioral disorders, and other special needs.

 

Rhode Island Special Needs Education Schools

The Wolf School

215 Ferris Ave., East Providence

401-432-9940

thewolfschool.org

The Wolf School is a nationally recognized K-8 private special education school located in East Providence, RI. Opened in 1999, The Wolf School works to address the needs of children with multiple learning differences, also known as Complex Learners. Complex Learners have great capacity for learning, problem solving, creative expression, and social relationships, but do not thrive in a traditional classroom.

The Wolf School is able to unlock our student’s potential through our innovative learning approach, the Immersion Model©. This approach “immerses” an occupational therapist and speech therapist in every classroom to work directly alongside the special education teacher, building the necessary services and lessons directly into the curriculum. This unique approach is in contrast to a “pull out” model of special education where students are provided with speech or occupational therapy in a separate room and then required to apply what they learned when brought back to the classroom. By immersing OT and speech/language support into each lesson, students prepare their bodies to listen and attend to task, and develop strategies to learn.