Top 4 Best Special Needs Schools in Lawrenceville, Georgia (2026)

Friendship Forest Academy is dedicated to providing a nurturing and innovative educational environment for neurodivergent children aged 5 to 14. With a core mission centered on celebrating neurodiversity, the academy offers tailored educational approaches that empower students with learning, sensory, or communication differences to thrive academically and personally. The school emphasizes the importance of flexible teaching strategies, fostering a love for learning while helping each child discover and enhance their unique talents. Key programs at Friendship Forest Academy include small class sizes, with a student-teacher ratio of 2:1, ensuring personalized attention and support. The curriculum is designed to accommodate diverse learning styles, integrating indoor and outdoor sensory experiences alongside specialized therapies such as speech and occupational therapy. This holistic approach not only addresses academic needs but also promotes emotional and social development. What sets Friendship Forest Academy apart is its commitment to building strong partnerships with families and the community. The school creates a safe and inclusive atmosphere where every child is encouraged to express themselves and explore their interests. Through unique community events and a focus on individualized learning, Friendship Forest Academy stands as a beacon of support for neurodivergent children, helping them fulfill their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society.

• Special education school
• communication differences
• Learning differences
• neurodivergent

Sage School in Lawrenceville teaches reading and other subjects through an Orton-Gillingham approach. Our curriculum includes reading, grammar, writing, math, science and social studies, with student groupings based on current skills. Enrichment classes use the same structured approach, and the school’s academic program is framed by a biblical worldview.

• School
• Dyslexia
• Learning differences

Sheltering Arms Buford Drive Center in Lawrenceville is one of 11 metro Atlanta centers run by Sheltering Arms, a nonprofit that began in 1888 when a group of Atlanta women started caring for the children of mill workers. We open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays all year, for children six weeks to five years old. Families can enroll through Early Head Start for infants and toddlers, Head Start for ages 3 to 5, lottery-funded Georgia Pre-K for 4-year-olds, or our tuition program. The Pre-K instructional day is free, and extended care around it costs $50 to $220 depending on family income, with help available through Georgia's CAPS subsidy. Our preschool rooms for 3-year-olds have no potty training requirement, and those children get priority entry into Pre-K at the same center. Teachers use The Creative Curriculum, a play-based program aligned with Georgia's early learning standards, in NAEYC accredited classrooms with natural light and spacious playgrounds outside. Family Support Coaches guide enrollment, and parent cafés and transition meetings help families as children move up to Pre-K and kindergarten.

• Early learning center (Head Start, Georgia Pre-K)
• Play-based learning
• Two-generation family support
• Accredited

The Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality educational and therapeutic programs for children with various special needs, including developmental delays, physical disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, speech and language disorders, attention deficit disorders, and intellectual disorders. The school's core philosophy emphasizes that every child is valued for their inherent worth, and the focus is on meeting each student's individual needs instead of requiring them to fit into a predetermined mold. Key offerings at the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett include a comprehensive curriculum designed to foster personal growth and social skills. The school employs a range of therapeutic methodologies, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy. Additionally, students participate in social skills groups that promote interaction and understanding among peers. The curriculum is tailored to help students learn about themselves, their families, and their communities, ensuring a holistic approach to education. What sets the Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett apart is its commitment to individualized education, with classes designed to accommodate various learning styles and abilities. The school maintains a low student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and support. The campus environment is nurturing and inclusive, fostering a sense of belonging among students. Furthermore, the school offers vocational training and summer programs that encourage community integration, preparing students for a successful transition into adulthood.

• Special education school
• Attention deficit disorders
• Autism
• Developmental delays