Best Special Needs Schools in Pekin, Illinois (2026)

Schramm Educational Center is a public day school in Pekin for students ages 3 to 21 with significant disabilities, operated by the Tazewell-Mason Counties Special Education Association for its member districts. Students come to us through the IEP team at their local district. Our students learn through individualized, systematic instruction and a modified curriculum delivered in Learning Centers. Instruction aims at independence, communication, social, vocational and functional life skills. Vocational opportunities, community-based instruction and recreation, and our warm water pool are part of the program. Related services follow each student's IEP, and our team includes speech-language, occupational and physical therapy, hearing and vision services, an adapted physical education teacher and a behavior team. Two trained facility dogs, Captain, an English Cream Golden Retriever, and Paisley, a Goldendoodle, work alongside staff on animal-assisted therapy goals. Both graduated from an accredited assistance dog organization that belongs to Assistance Dogs International. Our association also offers extended school year services and transition support for students preparing for adult life.

• Public special education day school (ages 3-21)
• Significant disabilities
• Life skills
• Community-based instruction