Navigating Special Education: A Guide to Schools and Resources in the Boston Area and Beyond

Choosing the right educational environment is crucial for students with special needs to thrive. Federal law guarantees every student the right to a free and appropriate public education, regardless of handicap or disability. This article provides an overview of special education schools, resources available in the Boston area and beyond, and considerations for parents navigating this complex landscape.

Understanding Special Education

Special education caters to students with diverse learning needs, including those with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, complex medical, physical, and cognitive needs, and language-based deficits such as specific learning disabilities in reading/writing or a language disorder. These schools offer specialized instruction, therapeutic support, and individualized attention to help students reach their full potential.

Special Education Resources in the Boston Area

Living in the Boston area, special education services are widely available. The rules and laws surrounding special education in our state are broad and require detailed study. The following list shows the private special education schools in the Boston area. These schools offer education within the scope of their specialty and grade range. Each school has a unique set of skills and services and its own unique admissions procedures. Here are some examples of schools in the Boston Area:

• The Manville School: A therapeutic day school located in Boston.
• Pathways Academy: A private special education school located in Belmont, MA.
• The Kennedy Day School: A special education school located in Brighton, MA, combining experience and expertise with an updated facility. Kennedy Day School provides 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.
• Farr Academy: A therapeutic day school located in Cambridge, MA.
• The Compass School: A special education school located in Dorchester, MA.
• Arlington School: Offers a full college preparatory curriculum, leading to a high school diploma.
• Dearborn Academy: Dearborn Academy is currently accepting referrals. At Dearborn Academy, students experience what it means to feel seen and valued for who they are. The Dearborn Academy High School values the importance of developing relationships. Dearborn provided a safe place, with appropriate mental health and learning/teaching experts.

Additional Resources in Massachusetts and New England

Beyond Boston, numerous schools and programs cater to special needs students throughout Greater Boston, Massachusetts, and New England. Some schools exclusively accept 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.

• Melmark New England (Andover, MA): 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.
• Campus School at Boston College: Since 1970, Campus School at Boston College has provided exceptional education and care to students ages 3-22 with extensive support needs, including complex medical needs. The Campus School offers rolling admission and currently has spaces available.
• Riverview School (Cape Cod, MA): 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. 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. 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.
• Cardinal Cushing Centers: Cardinal Cushing Centers is a day and residential special education program that provides multi modal curriculum and project-based instruction for students with autism, intellectual, and other developmental disabilities aged 6-22.
• Cotting School: 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.
• The Evergreen Center: 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.
• Learning Prep School: 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.
• Clark School: 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 New England Center for Children (NECC): 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.
• The Corwin-Russell School at Broccoli Hall: 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. 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! 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.
• Milestones: 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. 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.
• Perkins School for the Blind: 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.
• The Gifford School: Students from 4th grade through high school are referred to the Gifford School by their public school districts.
• The Wolf School (East Providence, RI): 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. 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.

Addressing Learning Difficulties

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.

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The Importance of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

Federal law mandates that students with disabilities receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This document outlines a student's specific learning needs, goals, and the services they will receive to achieve those goals. 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.

Higher Education in Special Education

For those interested in pursuing a career in special education, several universities in Massachusetts offer excellent programs.

Top Massachusetts Schools in Special Education

College Factual looked at 12 colleges and universities when compiling its Best Special Education Schools in Massachusetts ranking.

1. Boston University: Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall. There were roughly 44 special education students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent year we have data available. Those special education students who get their degree from Boston University receive $6,376 more than the typical special ed graduate.
2. Boston College: Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Boston College is a great college overall. Those special education students who get their degree from Boston College earn $6,721 more than the typical special ed grad.
3. Bridgewater State University: Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #452 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Bridgewater State is a great university overall. There were about 111 special education students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater State in the most recent data year. Special Education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University earn a boost of about $3,539 over the typical income of special education majors. Taking CareWith a Special Education Degree from Bridgewater State UniversityFor individuals with cognitive, emotional, behavioral or physical disabilities, the attention demonstrated by a special education teacher provides essential support in a world that frequently is unable to accommodate their needs. The Department of Special Education at Bridgewater State University trains students for careers as teachers of individuals with moderate to severe special needs, preparing them to have a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of often overlooked populations. The department offers three undergraduate concentrations, ten graduate programs and four graduate certificates. Our rigorous curriculum prepares ambitious students for careers as special education teachers in public and private schools, consultants and school administrators. Drawing on BSU’s long history of producing exemplary teachers, our faculty members work to help Special Education teacher candidates learn current, evidence-based practices and develop the skills required to succeed in this rewarding and in-demand field.
4. Westfield State University: Westfield is a small public university located in the suburb of Westfield. A Best Colleges rank of #505 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Westfield State is a great university overall. There were approximately 25 special education students who graduated with this degree at Westfield in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the special ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $45,402.
5. Worcester State University: Located in the medium-sized city of Worcester, Worcester State is a public university with a moderately-sized student population. This university ranks 35th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.
6. Fitchburg State University: Located in the medium-sized suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State is a public university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #496 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Fitchburg State is a great university overall. There were about 93 special education students who graduated with this degree at Fitchburg State in the most recent year we have data available. Those special education students who get their degree from Fitchburg State University receive $6,878 more than the average special ed grad.
7. UMass Boston: Located in the large city of Boston, UMass Boston is a public university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #455 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UMass Boston is a great university overall. There were approximately 105 special education students who graduated with this degree at UMass Boston in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the special education degree program at University of Massachusetts - Boston earn $12,569 more than the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
8. Stonehill College: Stonehill is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Easton. This college ranks 31st out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts. There were about 13 special education students who graduated with this degree at Stonehill in the most recent data year.
9. Assumption University: Located in the medium-sized city of Worcester, Assumption is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. This university ranks 48th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts. There were approximately 25 special education students who graduated with this degree at Assumption in the most recent year we have data available. Special Education degree recipients from Assumption University get an earnings boost of around $2,318 above the typical earnings of special education majors.
10. Cambridge College: Cambridge College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Boston. This college ranks 60th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts. There were roughly 114 special education students who graduated with this degree at Cambridge College in the most recent year we have data available.

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