Best Special Needs Schools in Vernon Hills, Illinois (2026)

ELC West, the ELC Transition Center in Vernon Hills, is a special education transition program for students ages 18 to 22. It is run by the Exceptional Learners Collaborative, the special education cooperative formed in 2015 by Kildeer Countryside District 96, Lincolnshire-Prairie View District 103 and Stevenson High School District 125, with Fox Lake District 114 as a non-voting member. Our students build independence through life skills, communication, independent living and vocational programming. Life skills groups practice in real settings such as a bedroom, kitchen and laundry room, and Community Based Instruction takes students out to volunteer, shop and enjoy recreation. Recreation and leisure time lets students try new activities and expand their interests through daily choice-making. Vocational experiences include community partnerships and our on-site microbusiness, the Butterfly Boutique, a student-run store that sells items our students make. Each student's team can include a case manager, school nurse and social worker, and therapy dogs Goldie and Frankie work with students at ELC West.

• Public special education transition program (ages 18-22)
• Transition support
• Community-based instruction
• Public school

Exceptional Learners Collaborative (ELC) is dedicated to providing world-class, specialized educational services and support for students with exceptional needs. The core mission of ELC is to empower students, their families, and educational teams by fostering an inclusive environment that promotes learning and personal growth. ELC serves a diverse population of students with various disabilities, ensuring that each child receives tailored support to thrive academically and socially. Key offerings at ELC include a range of therapeutic methodologies and programs designed to meet the unique needs of each student. These include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for behavior management, Orton-Gillingham for reading and literacy development, and comprehensive speech and language therapy. Additionally, ELC provides occupational therapy to enhance daily living skills, social skills groups to foster peer interactions, and vocational training programs to prepare students for future employment opportunities. The curriculum is designed to be engaging and adaptive, ensuring that all students can access meaningful educational experiences. What sets ELC apart is its commitment to individualized attention, reflected in low student-teacher ratios that allow for personalized instruction and support. The campus environment is designed to be welcoming and accessible, featuring specialized technology to aid learning and communication. ELC also emphasizes community integration through various outings and volunteer opportunities, helping students develop essential life skills in real-world settings. Summer programs further enrich the educational experience, providing continuous learning and social engagement during the break.

• Special education school
• ADHD
• Autism
• Private school

John Powers Center hosts SEDOL's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, which also serves students at Grayslake North High School. The program provides specialized instruction and integrated services for students from early childhood through high school who are deaf or hard of hearing. Students may use sign language as their main mode of communication or alongside auditory and oral communication. The team supports learning and communication across the school day, and families can contact SEDOL to ask which campus and services fit a student's needs.

• Special education school
• Deaf or Hard of Hearing
• Hearing-impaired
• Private school