Special education schools in the Chicago area offer parents more diverse options for their child living with a disability.
Some schools offer therapeutic approaches that prioritize the learning environment, while others might focus on talk therapy. For families looking for a religious school that will support their child’s diverse needs, there are options in the Chicago area.
To help families make informed choices, this list highlighting the special education schools in the Chicago area, uses a combination of publicly available data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau, along with community reviews, survey feedback, and academic performance indicators such as test scores and college readiness.
Read on for our guide to the best special education schools in the Chicago area.
Featured special education schools in Chicagoland
In this section, Chicago Parent’s advertising partners share their top school offerings.
Hyde Park Day School
- Address: 6254 S. Ellis Ave. Chicago; 13860 Main St. Lemont; 1980 Old Willow Road, Northfield
- Phone: Chicago: 773-420-2550; Lemont: 630-296-1229; Northfield: 847-446-7025
- Grades served: 1-8
- Number of students: 150
- Type: Private School, Special Education School
The mission of Hyde Park Day School is to provide students of average-to-superior intelligence who have learning disabilities with an innovative and comprehensive educational model that will help prepare them for a successful transition to public or private schools in their home community.
Each student at Hyde Park Day School is given assessments to identify his or her learning strengths and challenges. This information is used to create an Individualized Learning Plan which guides instruction throughout the year. Students work toward developing an accurate awareness and acceptance of individual skills and abilities as well as learning differences and challenges, learn to capitalize on skills and talents, identify and utilize the strategies and support systems that allow them to compensate for learning challenges, and internalize personal qualities that support successful achievement of academic, personal and professional goals.
Hyde Park Day School’s 5:1 student teacher ratio ensures that each child gets personalized attention and a customized program of academic support as well as Speech, Social Work and Occupational Therapy. Hyde Park Day School transforms its students from self-doubters to self-champions; they become more self-confident and develop a love of learning which makes them successful as they move into more mainstream learning environments.
Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School
- Address: 6245 S. Ingleside Ave., Chicago
- Phone: 773-420-2900
- Grades served: Elementary-High School
- Number of students: N/A
- Type: Private School, Special Education School
In a cozy, home-like environment, the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School helps students facing emotional challenges or autism feel safe, supported and ready to grow.
With expert clinical care woven into each student’s day, they gain the confidence and tools needed to return to their home schools or take their next steps into college or career. Through personalized support and a strong community, students build the life skills they need to thrive — academically, socially and emotionally.
Best special education schools in Chicagoland
Parkland Preparatory Academy
- Address: 2220 Southwind Blvd., Bartlett
- Why it stands out: A private school environment with a therapeutic approach for students ages 5-21. Plus, the school offers a virtual academy.
Parkland Preparatory Academy creates a therapeutic environment where students with disabilities can thrive.
The private school serves students ages 5-21. Students across grade levels follow an evidence-based curriculum as well as utilizing therapeutic interventions when appropriate.
There’s also the option to learn remotely at Parkland. The Parkland Virtual Academy offers students with high social-emotional and behavioral needs a personalized education. The virtual academy is committed to ensuring the interventions laid out in an IEP are met and that students obtain their high school diploma.
Allendale – Stepping Stone Therapeutic Day School
- Address: 600 W. Grand Ave., Lake Villa
- Why it stands out: Students at this therapeutic school are placed in small classrooms with well-trained staff.
This school offers a smaller, structured school environment with a therapeutic approach.
Students at Allendale have special education needs which include emotional disabilities, specific learning disabilities, health impairments, developmental delay and autism. The school’s approach is centered on holistic trauma-informed practice and treatment. The school also offers additional services and programming–students might take enrichment classes like cooking and get support through career services.
Family input is valued at Allendale. The school believes that building a strong alliance between the student, the family and the school is integral to success.
Metropolitan Preparatory Schools
- Address: 2525 E. Oakton St., Suite D47, Arlington Heights
- Why it stands out: A small, private Christian environment with a nine-month schedule as well as an Extended School Year (ESY) component.
Metropolitan Preparatory Schools is a private, Christian school serving grades 1-12. Family Guidance Centers Inc. operates three programs: Metro Prep High School, Laureate Day School and Metro Prep Grade School. The school also serves students in grades K-4 who have been categorized into the Developmental Delay category.
The school uses a multidisciplinary approach in a small and nurturing environment. Students are encouraged to develop a relationship with a school counselor based on traditional talk therapy.
Students at Metropolitan Preparatory Schools learn in very small classrooms where an individualized approach is possible.
New Hope Academy
- Address: 3250 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights
- Why it stands out: A junior and high school program where students can explore more therapeutic modalities and get support as they transition from high school to college or a career.
New Hope Academy offers a junior and high school program for students in grades 6-12 with emotional disabilities, autism, learning disabilities and other health impairments. There is also the Extension of Services (EOS) program for ages 17-21 to help them transition from high school to college or a career.
Teaching staff at New Hope Academy are highly trained and follow the Common Core Learning standard. Therapists at school offer different therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic and more.
The school is also a member of the Chicago Area Alternative Education League (CAAEL) which provides academic, athletic and art programs to Chicago area at-risk youth.
Giant Steps Illinois
- Address: 2500 Cabot Drive, Lisle
- Why it stands out: A program designed for learners living with autism, the Giant Steps program combines a standards-based education with practical skill essentials.
Giant Steps specifically offers an educational and therapeutic program to students living with autism.
The Giant Steps Day School serves students from K-22. For older learners, the organization operates the Canopy Adult Autism Program offering services and programs to those who have left the school system. Giant Steps also operates the Riley Center, an after-school therapy and recreation program.
Students in grades K-12 follow a standard-based curriculum in English, math, science and social studies with a special emphasis on skill development. Education at Giant Steps is personalized to suit a student’s needs. The school is also committed to graduating students with 15 “essential skills” which includes understanding community safety, respecting appropriate boundaries, tolerating changes to routine and reading and writing functionally.
Little Friends: Krejci Academy
- Address: 619 E. Franklin Ave., Naperville
- Why it stands out: An accredited academy serving students in a therapeutic environment with an emphasis on personal growth and skills.
Students aged 5-21 with autism or other emotional, behavior or developmental disabilities gain confidence at Krejci Academy.
Krejci Academy utilizes a multi-faceted approach in its educational program; students learn in a therapeutic environment promoting social, cognitive and academic growth. At Krejci, learners acquire independent life skills, language development, work-related skills and community integration as well.
For families, the academy also offers support services like parent groups and sibling support groups.
Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School
- Address: 6245 S. Ingleside Ave., Chicago
- Why it stands out: A K-12 school with a data-backed therapeutic approach for students with autism and/or social-emotional challenges.
This private special education school serves students living with autism and/or social-emotional challenges in grades K-12 from its campus on the South Side of Chicago.
Students at the “O-School” receive a personalized education with an integrated therapeutic approach. The school uses milieu therapy–a type of psychotherapy in which the environment supports personal growth and development. In this type of therapy, everyday activities might be used as a platform to explore interaction with others and promote positive group behaviors.
An example of some of the components to the O-School’s milieu therapeutic method include supportive daily routine and structure, a focus on self-care and developing friendships and peer groups.
Knapp School & Yeshiva
- Address: 3145 W. Pratt Blvd., Chicago
- Why it stands out: This school stands out for its academic standards and extensive student support and programs as well as the option to maintain Jewish studies.
Located in West Rogers Park, The Knapp School & Yeshiva supports students in grades K-12 and beyond. There is a separate Therapeutic Yeshiva for students to maintain Jewish studies.
The school offers foreign language classes for high schoolers, visual arts programs, physical education, a corrective reading program and more. Students take advantage of the school’s many enrichment opportunities and life skills training, too.
Roughly 15% of students re-enter public schools each year, exceeding the Chicago Public Schools benchmark, the school says.
Laureate Day School
- Address: 2525 E. Oakton St., Arlington Heights
- Why it stands out: A private day school for students in grades K-8 with higher emotional support needs.
The Laureate Day School is owned by Family Guidance Centers Inc, which also operates the Metro Prep Grade and High School.
The Laureate Day School offers comprehensive mental health treatment alongside individualized education planning for its students in grades K-8. Students with severe emotional disorders can find an academic and therapeutic program to suit their needs at this school.
Easterseals Academy Tinley Park
- Address: 17300 Ozark Ave., Tinley Park
- Why it stands out: This school is part of a nationwide network of a long standing nonprofit providing disability services.
Easterseals Academy is a non-public school located in a southwest suburb of Chicago serving ages 3-22. There are also Easterseals schools in nearby Chicago and Machesney Park.
The school uses instruction strategies based on recommendations by the National Autism Center as well as the National Professional Development Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Academics are aligned with state standards, and students can participate in special activities and events year round.
Easterseals uses community-based instruction, a method to help students apply academic lessons and functional skills to everyday life in order to help with social skills, career development and more.
Eyas Landing
- Address: 1409 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago, IL 60607
- Phone: 312-733-0883
- Grades served: Ages 0–21 (children and adolescents)
- Number of students: Not available
- Type: Multi-disciplinary pediatric therapy clinic
Eyas Landing was established in 2007. It provides comprehensive, family-centered pediatric therapy for children and adolescents ages 0–21 in the Chicago area. The clinic offers occupational, speech, physical, developmental, ABA, mental health and feeding therapy at home, school or daycare, at its West Loop facility or via telehealth. By partnering with families, Eyas Landing creates individualized plans that deliver measurable progress and support every step of the way. Discover a place where therapy meets hope!
Blue Bird Day
- Address: Multiple locations throughout Chicagoland
- Phone: 312-243-8487
- Grades served: Preschool-kindergarten
- Number of students: Not available
- Type: Therapeutic preschool-kindergarten program
Blue Bird Day is a leading therapeutic preschool and kindergarten program for children ages 2-7. With over a decade of specialized experience, we provide intensive, play-based therapy within a supportive, school-like setting. Our unique therapeutic rotations model integrates occupational, speech, developmental, social work and behavioral therapies into your child’s day, fostering social skills, sensory regulation and academic readiness. We partner with families to support children with autism, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays and more. At Blue Bird Day, we build a foundation for lifelong success, providing comprehensive, evidence-based care your family can trust.
Merlin Day Academy
- Address: 3319 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
- Phone: Not available
- Grades served: Ages 6-14
- Number of students: Not available
- Type: Therapeutic school
Merlin Day Academy is a top-rated therapeutic school providing innovative special education for students ages 6-14 with neurodiverse learning needs in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago. We know that navigating your child’s educational journey can feel overwhelming and we partner with your family in a supportive, sensory-integrated environment where your child can thrive.
Merlin Day Academy was approved by the Illinois State Board of Education in 2023. Our unique, individualized curriculum combines academics with daily therapeutic support, fostering both creative learning and essential critical thinking skills. Together, we focus on building confidence and functional abilities, empowering your child to become a successful participant in their community. At Merlin Day Academy, we believe in turning potential into progress, providing the comprehensive support your family needs for a brighter future.
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