Top 4 Best Special Needs Schools in Bartlett, Illinois (2026)

Liberty Liberal Arts Academy is a distinguished educational institution dedicated to providing a college preparatory liberal arts education for students in grades 1 through 12, particularly those with aspirations in the performing arts and athletics. The academy serves a diverse range of students, including those pursuing careers as actors, models, musicians, dancers, and athletes. With a commitment to academic excellence and personal growth, Liberty emphasizes a holistic approach that integrates rigorous academics with specialized programs tailored to meet the unique needs of each student. The school employs innovative methodologies and therapeutic practices designed to foster both academic achievement and personal development. What sets Liberty apart is its low student-teacher ratio, which ensures personalized attention and support for every child. Additionally, the strong emphasis on family partnerships enhances the educational experience by creating a collaborative community that nurtures students' talents while instilling values of service through initiatives like the Key Club. With specialized facilities designed for creative expression and community-focused events, Liberty Liberal Arts Academy stands out as a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and artistically.

• High school
• Private school

Parkland Preparatory Academy is a private therapeutic day school for students ages 5 to 21 who have special education eligibility and have not found success in traditional public school settings. Our Bartlett campus is one of six Parkland locations in northern Illinois, alongside Oak Lawn, Plainfield, Lake in the Hills, Morton Grove and Rockford. Students come to us by referral from their public school district, usually with an IEP. Students without one can enter a diagnostic placement of up to 60 days while evaluations are completed. Students leave us by graduating, earning a certificate of completion or returning to a less restrictive setting. Licensed social workers, counselors and school psychologists lead group counseling in every classroom twice a week, 30 minutes for elementary and middle school and 45 minutes for high school, plus individual counseling written into each IEP. Our clinical model is trauma informed and built on the Circle of Courage, and staff train in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. Teachers use HMH Into Reading and Into Math, with Imagine Edgenuity for high school credit and credit recovery.

• Private therapeutic day school
• Emotional/behavioral support
• Students with IEPs
• Therapeutic program

Schick's Crossing Preschool has been part of Bartlett Bible Church for more than 20 years, in a garden-level Children's Space that opened in November 2003 with two classrooms and a large multi-use area set aside for preschool. Outside, our playground has a locking fence, rubber chip ground cover and equipment built for preschoolers. Our classes are small and meet on weekday mornings. The 4-year-old class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. with two teachers and no more than 17 students, with a focus on kindergarten readiness. The 3-year-old class meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings with two teachers and up to 15 students, building social skills and an introduction to letters and numbers. Both include circle time, calendar, reading, crafts, music, gym time, snack and free play, in a Christian setting. Every teacher passes a background check and holds CPR and First Aid certification, and we meet or exceed DCFS ratios. Entrances stay locked during the day. Tuition for 2026-27 is $2,250 for the 4s and $1,800 for the 3s, with a $150 registration fee and priority registration for current families and church members.

• Christian preschool (half-day)
• Kindergarten readiness
• Small class sizes
• Private school

Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO) is a dedicated special education cooperative serving students across the northwest suburbs, focusing on a person-centered approach to meet the diverse and significant needs of its students. Catering to various age groups and diagnoses, including language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners, NSSEO emphasizes the importance of individualized education plans that align with each student's career, college, and life aspirations. The organization offers a range of specialized programs and therapeutic methodologies designed to foster growth and development, while also providing essential services such as itinerant support, embedded coaching, technical assistance, and professional learning opportunities for both staff and families in its member districts. What sets NSSEO apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios that enhance personalized attention and support, strong partnerships with families that encourage collaboration in the educational process, and a robust framework for ongoing professional development. This holistic approach ensures that every student not only receives tailored educational experiences but also thrives within a nurturing community designed to empower their unique potential.

• Education center
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school