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Top 10 Best Special Needs Schools in Roswell, Georgia (2026)

Compare 13 special needs schools in Roswell. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Roswell

1

Porter Academy

Verified
Roswell, GAGrades PreK-81:6 ratio

Porter Academy is a nonprofit, PreK–8th grade private school in Roswell, Georgia, built for children with learning and developmental differences — including dyslexia, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, language processing disorders, sensory processing disorder, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, executive functioning weaknesses, and more. Every student receives a highly individualized, multi-sensory academic program using research-backed curricula including Wilson, Edmark, Zoo Phonics, and Touch Math. Math and reading are taught in small, level-based groups — 6 or fewer students in Lower School, 8 or fewer in Upper School. Alongside academics, all students receive occupational therapy, music therapy, art, social skills instruction, and physical education, with access to an on-campus sensory gym. Our whole-child philosophy means meeting each child where they are academically, developmentally, socially, and emotionally, and challenging them only as much as is appropriate for that child at that time. Teachers, therapists, and specialists work together to ensure each student's needs are met so that they are ready to engage in learning. Our goal is to remediate weaknesses and foster strengths, enabling children to leave here with a strong foundation and confidence in their own abilities.

  • Special education school
  • anxiety
  • developmental challenges
  • Learning differences
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Alexsander Academy in Roswell: student building with classroom materials.
2

Alexsander Academy

Listed
Roswell, GA

Alexsander Academy is a fully-accredited specialized school dedicated to supporting children with learning differences and special needs. The core mission of the academy is to foster academic success and promote social and emotional independence through personalized education. By focusing on the individual needs of each student, Alexsander Academy ensures that every child has the opportunity to learn at their own pace, building confidence and independence along the way. The academy offers a range of tailored programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of its students. Key offerings include individualized academic curricula, social skills groups, and emotional support. Therapeutic methodologies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Orton-Gillingham for reading instruction, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy are integrated into the learning experience. Small classroom sizes allow for personalized attention, ensuring that each child receives the support they need to thrive. What sets Alexsander Academy apart is its commitment to building strong relationships between teachers and students. The school emphasizes a flexible approach to education, adapting to the unique learning styles and needs of each child. With a focus on community integration, vocational training opportunities, and a nurturing campus environment, Alexsander Academy provides a holistic educational experience that prepares students for future success.

  • Special education school
  • Learning differences
  • Therapeutic program
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Eaton Academy in Roswell: student presenting to classmates.
4

Eaton Academy

Listed
Roswell, GAGrades K-12

Eaton Academy in Roswell has been designing individualized K-12 education solutions for students since 1995. Unlike traditional private schools, Eaton has no typical student: the school serves a wide range of learners from students pursuing a college preparatory track to those with more specialized needs, including autism, ADHD, and other learning differences. Programs emphasize social skills training, work experience, independent living skills, and vocational preparation alongside core academics. High school clubs include bowling, tennis, art, chess, music, and SCUBA. Eaton offers a Virtual Academy, Distance Learning Program, and Supported Employment options, making it one of the most program-diverse special needs schools in north Atlanta. Accepts the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB10) and Georgia Educational Expense Credit Program.

  • Private school
  • Autism
  • ADHD
  • Learning differences
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Jacob's Ladder School staff member guiding a child across a wooded balance beam.
5

Jacob's Ladder School

Listed
Roswell, GAGrades PreK-12

Jacob's Ladder School in Roswell is a SAIS-Cognia accredited private therapeutic day school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade who experience emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges alongside learning difficulties. The school's Hope School Program delivers individualized programming in one-on-one and group settings, grounding every interaction in rapport, trust, and unconditional positive regard. The educational model incorporates neuroscience-informed neuro-enhancement techniques to strengthen identity, self-regulation, independence, and intrinsic motivation. Small class sizes and a multi-dimensional framework allow students to rebuild trust in themselves and others while advancing academically. Jacob's Ladder School is one of the few accredited therapeutic day schools in the Atlanta area designed for children whose emotional and behavioral needs make traditional school settings inadequate.

  • Private school
  • emotional difficulties
  • behavioral difficulties
  • Learning differences
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6

Kaleidoscope ABA

Listed
Roswell, GAGrades PreK-8

Kaleidoscope ABA School, located in downtown Roswell, Georgia, is a dedicated not-for-profit institution that serves children with autism spectrum disorders and related conditions. The school's core mission is to support each child in reaching their highest potential through tailored educational programs designed for students aged 2 and up, accommodating a range of skill levels. Kaleidoscope ABA offers a unique blend of one-on-one therapy and systematic progress evaluation, ensuring that each child's development is closely monitored and adapted to their evolving needs. The school features two distinct programs: the early learner program for younger children and the advanced learner program for graduates of the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS), both grounded in applied behavior analysis principles. Emphasizing language acquisition and intraverbal skill development, the curriculum is meticulously crafted using methods derived from Sundberg and Partington's assessments as well as Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior. With an open-door policy for parents, ongoing support, and a commitment to fostering strong family partnerships, Kaleidoscope stands out with its low student-teacher ratio and comprehensive approach to education. The school also accepts the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, further enhancing accessibility for families seeking specialized educational opportunities.

  • Private educational institution
  • Autism
  • Therapeutic program
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8

Little Sunshine's Playhouse of Roswell, GA

Listed
Roswell, GAAges 2-5

Little Sunshine's Playhouse is dedicated to nurturing the potential of children aged 6 weeks to 6 years, focusing on those with diverse needs through a play-based learning approach. The school's core mission is to create an enriching environment where young minds can flourish and develop holistically. Utilizing a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, Little Sunshine's emphasizes self-directed learning, allowing children to explore their creativity while fostering cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and linguistic growth. Each classroom is thoughtfully organized to provide personalized attention from dedicated educators, ensuring that every child receives the support they need at each developmental stage. What sets Little Sunshine's apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio and its strong emphasis on family partnerships. This unique combination creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that not only enhances learning but also builds a community where families feel engaged and supported in their children's educational journeys.

  • Preschool
  • Private school
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Family with a child in a wheelchair posing outdoors.
9

Special Needs Respite, Inc.

Listed
Roswell, GA

Special Needs Respite is dedicated to supporting families of children with special needs by bridging the funding gap for essential childcare services. Serving families in the metro Atlanta area since 2017, this organization focuses on providing respite care for children with various diagnoses, including those with language-based learning disabilities and other developmental challenges. The mission is to offer hope and relief to parents by facilitating access to qualified caregivers who can provide much-needed support when financial resources are limited. Through its impactful programs, Special Needs Respite has successfully assisted over 120 families, delivering nearly 3,000 hours of care in just one year. What sets this organization apart is its commitment to fostering strong family partnerships and community involvement, ensuring that every child receives the attention and care they deserve in a nurturing environment. By hosting events and providing resources such as testimonials from parents, Special Needs Respite not only addresses immediate childcare needs but also creates a supportive community for families navigating the complexities of raising a child with special needs.

  • Non-profit organization
  • Private school
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Other Special Needs Schools in Roswell

Stepping Stones Academy - Roswell

Stepping Stones Academy - Roswell

Listed
Roswell, GA
Ages 2-5

Stepping Stones Academy is our family-owned early childhood center in Roswell. We provide full-time programs for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, along with afterschool care. Our owners developed the curriculum around their early childhood teaching experience. Songs, chants and rhymes help children learn concepts and move between activities. Our two-story building uses color, art and varied learning spaces to invite exploration. We encourage children to think creatively, participate and build confidence through everyday classroom experiences.

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Swift School

Listed
Roswell, GA
Est. 1998
Grades K-8
6:1 ratio
$39,500 to $43,380 per year (2026-27)
169 students

Gail Swift and Josie Redwine founded Swift School in Roswell in 1998 to teach children with dyslexia, and Josie Redwine's child was our first student. Today we serve students in kindergarten through 8th grade with mild to moderate language-based learning differences, including dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia, as well as ADHD and executive function diagnoses. Students stay an average of about three years. Every teacher uses Orton-Gillingham in every subject, and classes run at a 6:1 student to teacher ratio. All academic teachers complete Associate Level Orton-Gillingham coursework, and OG Fellows on staff supervise instruction. A Lower Division day includes two hours of small-group OG and writing plus multisensory math, science, social studies, STEAM, art and music. In-house school psychologists, speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists support students, along with counseling and the READing PAWS program. Students can join clubs, service learning and Spartans athletic teams, and aftercare is available. Lunch from A Tasty Touch, with a hot entree and salad bar, is included in tuition, which runs $39,500 to $43,380 for 2026-27. We award need-based aid, accept Georgia GOAL and the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB-10), and offer payment plans.

Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
ADHD
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The Cottage School

The Cottage School

Listed
Roswell, GA
Grades K-12

The Cottage School in Roswell serves students in grades K–12 through individualized learning plans and small classes. Our academic options include honors courses, STEM subjects such as robotics and coding, and vocational studies. Students can also take part in internships and sports as part of their school experience.

Learning differences
ADHD
Dyslexia
behavioral difficulties
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Nearby school options

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Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Roswell

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

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Comparing school options in Roswell

Roswell families comparing private academies with Fulton County Schools (FCS) are usually weighing two different promises. An FCS IEP team designs services for your child at no cost. A Roswell academy offers its own program, sets its own admissions and charges tuition, and the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship can offset part of that bill.

Start with the paperwork. If your child already has an FCS IEP or Section 504 plan, that document shapes both paths: it tells the academy what support your child receives now, and a qualifying plan in a Georgia public school is what opens the Special Needs Scholarship. If you want a different FCS campus instead of a private school, the district's Change of School Assignment process allows special education transfers only to schools that offer the program in your child's plan. Tour at least one academy and one FCS option, take the same list of questions to each, and get written answers about staffing and services before you sign an enrollment contract.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Roswell

How do I compare Roswell academies for an autistic child?
Ask each academy how many autistic students it serves now, who designs behavior and communication support, and whether speech therapy happens during the school day. Then ask FCS what your child's IEP team would offer in a district classroom. An academy that cannot describe a typical day for a student like yours is not ready for one.
Which schools fit dyslexia or ADHD in Roswell?
Look for a structured literacy program taught daily by a trained teacher, small reading groups, and progress data you can see. For ADHD, ask about movement breaks, planning help and how homework is managed. Dyslexia and ADHD are both listed conditions for the Special Needs Scholarship's 504 route, so keep your child's plan current. Our ADHD school support guide lists more questions.
What changes if I move my child from FCS to a Roswell private academy?
Three things. You pay tuition, offset only by a scholarship. The academy decides which supports to provide, because the FCS IEP does not bind it. And FCS no longer owes your child an individual IEP; it may offer a smaller services plan funded through its proportionate share of federal money. A Georgia charter school, by contrast, keeps every IDEA right.
Can a Roswell student use the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship in 2026-27?
Yes, if your child spent the prior school year in a Georgia public school, counted in both the October and March enrollment counts, with an IEP or a 504 plan tied to a listed condition such as autism, ADHD or dyslexia. A parent must have lived in Georgia for a year. The academy must participate. See our GSNS guide.
What should I ask on a Roswell school tour?
Ask which credentials the lead teacher and aides hold, how many students share the classroom, and which therapists work on site and how often. Ask how staff respond to a meltdown and whether they use restraint. Ask how often written progress reports go home and how they measure goals.
How do I request an FCS evaluation from Roswell?
Write to the principal of your child's zoned school, ask for a special education evaluation, and keep a dated copy. FCS Child Find covers children from birth to 21, and it also evaluates students at private schools or homeschools within Fulton's jurisdiction. Our evaluation guide has a sample letter.
Can my child transfer to another FCS school that has the right program?
Through Change of School Assignment, Fulton's yearly transfer process, a special education transfer is approved only when the accepting school offers the program and services in your child's IEP or 504 plan. Only schools on the district's published accepting list qualify, so check that list against your child's plan before applying.
Is a 504 plan enough, or does my child need an IEP?
A 504 plan gives accommodations such as extra time or preferential seating in a general classroom. An IEP adds specially designed instruction and related services like speech or occupational therapy. If accommodations are not enough, ask FCS to evaluate for an IEP. Our 504 vs IEP guide compares them.

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