What are the best schools in the US for Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Mainstream schooling, whilst sometimes the best option for certain students with mild learning difficulties, often does not provide adequate support for neurodivergence. The US has a wealth of choice when it comes to schools catering specifically for students with SEN. Some schools specialise in supporting students with specific disorders such as Dyslexia or ADHD, whilst others have a broader purview. Here, we provide our pick of the five best schools in the US for Special Educational Needs.

The Landmark School

Landmark School specialises in students with language-based learning disabilities, including dyslexia. The school has an average class size of 4-8, enabling teachers to attend to the specific learning needs of each student. The school draws on a number of different pedagogies, including the Orton-Gillingham and Wilson methods, and offers daily one-to-one tutorials which serve to direct student learning and set individualised goals for each student. Around half of the students board in Grades 9-12.

Location: Beverly, Massachusetts

Principal: Robert Broudo

Fees: $96,000

Type: Day and Boarding

Pupils: 460

Co-educational: Yes

Ages: 7-18

Website: https://www.landmarkschool.org/our-school/about-landmark-school 

The Gow School

The Gow School is known for its expertise in dyslexia and similar language-based learning disabilities. It offers a structured environment with a focus on developing students' academic skills and self-confidence. The school offers a unique Reconstructive Language (RL) program which teaches granular literacy using multisensory structured language education (MSLE). Gow’s pedagogy was informed from the start by the founder’s collaboration with pioneering neurologist, Dr. Samuel T. Orton, in the 1920s, and remains a tried and tested method of language instruction.

Location: South Wales, New York

Principal: Brad Rogers

Fees: $80,000

Type: Day and Boarding

Pupils: 130

Co-educational: Yes

Ages: 11-18

Website: https://www.gow.org/ 

The Riverview School

Riverview School serves students with complex learning needs, including developmental disabilities and executive functioning challenges. The school has excellent provision for students with a wide variety of special educational needs including ADHD, Austism Spectrum Disorder, Executive Dysfunction and Williams Syndrome. The school provides a comprehensive educational program with a strong emphasis on life skills and vocational training. An important part of Riverview’s offering is its Post High School Transition Program for students aged 17-21, which focuses not just on academic subjects but also on social and independent living skills. These help students bridge the gap between school and adult life.

Location: East Sandwich, Massachusetts

Principal: Stewart Miller

Fees: $109,473

Type: Day and Boarding

Pupils: 200

Co-educational: Yes

Ages: 11-22

Website: https://www.riverviewschool.org/ 

The Winward School

The Winward School specialises in students with language-based learning disabilities, particularly Dyslexia. It is renowned for its research-based, multisensory instructional approach, and its commitment to professional development and evidence-based practices. Among the best SEN schools in New York and nationwide, Winward follows the pioneering Preventing Academic Failure (PAF) program, which uses the Orton Gillingam method to teach literacy from the ground up. The school is also notable for its dedicated teacher training school, the WInward Institute, which ensures that the school’s educators are among the best in their field.

Location: White Plains, New York (with additional campuses in Manhattan)

Principal: Dr. John J. Russell

Fees: $72,980

Type: Day

Pupils: c. 950

Co-educational: Yes

Ages: 6-15

Website: https://www.thewindwardschool.org/ 

The Forman School

The Forman School specialises in providing excellent outcomes for students with ADHD and dyslexia. The school offers a tailored curriculum with individualised support, and emphasises the development of self-advocacy and executive functioning skills. Learning technology at Forman is state-of-the-art, with each classroom equipped with iPads with note-taking and speech-to-text applications. Students are encouraged to take charge of their learning using metacognitive strategies, which enable them to build mental models of their subject knowledge. The Promethean Program encourages students to be ambitious by focusing on tech-forward problem solving as applied to real-world situations.

Location: Litchfield, Connecticut

Principal: Adam K. Man

Fees: $91,100

Type: Day and Boarding

Pupils: 230

Co-educational: Yes

Ages: 14-18

Website: https://www.formanschool.org/ 

US school selection with Chapkin Edwards

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