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Top 4 Best Special Needs Schools in Birmingham, Alabama (2026)

Compare 4 special needs schools in Birmingham. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Birmingham

1

Allan Cott School - Birmingham

Listed
Birmingham, ALGrades K-12 & up to 22Students placed by school districts or through residential services

Allan Cott School, part of Glenwood in Birmingham, Alabama, serves day and residential students ages 6-21 with a primary diagnosis of autism and intellectual disabilities. The certified special education program offers individualized instruction in the least restrictive environment, drawing on evidence-based methods aligned with Alabama Department of Education extended standards. Day students require a referral and support from their Local Educational Agency. The school provides a multi-disciplinary approach that includes speech, occupational, and ABA therapies along with year-round programming, art, music, sensory supports, life skills training, and access to facilities such as a gym, pool, and mock apartment. Parental involvement is encouraged through meetings and classroom visits. Established in 1974 as Alabama's first school offering educational and therapeutic services for children with autism, the program operates on the Sicard Hollow campus and supports students through age 21.

  • Private special education school
  • Autism
  • Intellectual disability
  • Private school
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Horizons School logo in blue and orange.
2

Horizons School

Listed
Birmingham, ALAges 18-26

Horizons School in Birmingham offers a non-degree transition program for young adults ages 18–26. Students use the community as an extended classroom while building personal, social, and career independence. The curriculum includes the READI Program, the Community Transition Program, residential life, and self-determination practice. Psychological and social-skills support, life-skills instruction, residential supervision, and career preparation help students work toward greater independence. The program serves applicants with qualifying profiles that can include specific learning disability, autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, or developmental disability, and considers readiness, stability, mobility, and motivation during admissions. Students practice using community resources and prepare for work, daily living, and participation beyond school. Horizons connects these experiences with residential programming and individual goals, helping young adults apply new skills in real settings. Families and applicants can review the eligibility criteria and arrange a visit to discuss program fit. The school’s Birmingham campus gives students a setting for community-based learning and supported practice as they move toward adult life. Its focus centers on practical independence: students strengthen decision-making, social interaction, personal routines, and career readiness while taking part in day-to-day community experiences. Horizons School serves young adults who are ready to work toward adult independence through a structured transition program rather than a degree-granting course of study.

  • School
  • Specific learning disability
  • Autism
  • Cerebral palsy
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4

Tellis Educational Services LLC.

Listed
Birmingham, ALGrades 9-12 & up to 22

Tellis Educational Services offers a transformative Adult Education Program designed specifically for individuals seeking a second chance at earning their high school diploma. This fully accredited program caters to students aged 17 and older who may have faced challenges in traditional educational settings, such as academic difficulties, personal responsibilities, or lack of support. With a core mission focused on empowering students through education, Tellis Educational Services provides a comprehensive 10-week curriculum that covers essential subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. The program not only prepares students for the final diploma exam but also emphasizes personalized learning goals to ensure high success rates. What sets Tellis Educational Services apart is its commitment to fostering strong educational partnerships and providing a supportive learning environment that accommodates diverse life circumstances. By prioritizing student success and offering flexible scheduling options, this program stands out as a beacon of hope for those ready to take the next step in their educational journey.

  • Education center
  • Private school
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Nearby school options

Compare special-needs schools near Birmingham

Families often compare nearby cities when commute, availability, services, or age fit differ.

Special-needs schools in Talladega Compare 3 programs about 43 miles away. Special-needs schools in Cullman Compare 3 programs about 45 miles away.
Browse all special-needs schools in Alabama →

Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Birmingham

Use these guides before you contact programs, schedule tours, or ask your IEP team how a proposed setting will support your child's goals.

How to choose a special needs school

Prepare school-tour questions, compare supports and family communication, and record what each program can show you.

IEP process guide

Bring your IEP, progress evidence, and focused questions to conversations about evaluations, services, or placement.

Also Looking for ABA Therapy?

Find ABA therapy centers in Birmingham, Alabama. Many families use both specialized schools and therapy services to support their child's development.

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Comparing school options in Birmingham

Birmingham City Schools (BCS) provides special education in the least restrictive environment at no charge to parents. Its Special Education Department processes evaluation referrals, runs individual evaluations to decide IDEA eligibility, and delivers the services written into each student's IEP. The department's staff directory lists program specialists, board certified behavior analysts and psychometrists.

Birmingham searches here lean toward autism: schools for autistic children near me and autism schools in particular. A good comparison puts the BCS IEP route next to private schools and asks the same questions of each. Families in Jefferson County can also turn to the Regional Autism Network at UAB, which covers central Alabama. The answers below cover autism and dyslexia supports, private placement, the CHOOSE Act ESA, BCS Child Find and how to confirm which public system serves your address.

Local resources checked .

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Birmingham

How do I find a good school for an autistic child in Birmingham?
Ask BCS what the IEP team would recommend, including whether a district behavior analyst would consult on your child's plan, since BCS lists BCBAs on its special education staff. The UAB Regional Autism Network, which serves Jefferson and ten other central Alabama counties, offers resources, guidance to local services and monthly community education sessions. Compare private schools against the same needs list.
What dyslexia support do Birmingham public schools give?
Alabama requires a universal reading screener for every K-3 student, and those showing characteristics of dyslexia get daily, dyslexia-specific small-group intervention. From grade 4 on, the school's Problem-Solving Team writes a dyslexia services plan. Ask your BCS school which program it uses. For attention problems, read our ADHD school support guide and 504 plan vs IEP guide.
If I choose a private school in Birmingham, what does BCS still provide?
Less than an IEP. Child Find for private school students belongs to the district where the private school sits, and that district offers equitable services through a services plan. Your child has no individual right to the full IEP. The family pays tuition, and the private school decides admission and the supports it offers, so get those commitments in writing.
Does the CHOOSE Act cover private school for Birmingham students with disabilities?
For 2026-27, new accounts went only to families at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, and students with special needs received the first 500. The money works only at approved education service providers, so confirm a school's status before enrolling. Applications for 2027-28 begin in January 2027 with no income cap, and the first 500 accounts again go to students with special needs.
What should I ask a Birmingham school before enrolling?
Ask the class size and how many aides work in each room, who writes and monitors behavior plans, and whether that person is a BCBA. Ask which therapies happen on site and how the school coordinates with outside therapists. Ask how often you will get progress data and how staff handle a hard day without sending your child home.
How does Child Find work in Birmingham?
Child Find is a statewide effort by the Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services to locate and evaluate children with disabilities from birth to 21. BCS takes referrals for ages 3 to 21. Babies and toddlers from birth through age 2 go to the Alabama Early Intervention System, coordinated by the Department of Rehabilitation Services. See our early intervention guide.
What does a psychometrist do in a BCS evaluation?
BCS lists psychometrists among its special education staff, and its department runs the individual evaluations that decide IDEA eligibility. Before testing, ask which assessments are planned and whether they cover the areas you worry about, such as language, attention or adaptive skills. You can ask for the written report before the eligibility meeting.
How do I know if my Birmingham address is in Birmingham City Schools?
A Birmingham mailing address does not by itself confirm the school system. Check the BCS Zoning and Feeder Patterns page with your street address before you request services, because the system that serves your home runs your child's evaluation and IEP. If your address falls outside BCS, contact that system's special education office instead.

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