Best Special Needs Schools in Merrillville, Indiana (2026)

Compare 2 special needs schools in Merrillville. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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Aquinas Catholic Community School

Listed

Merrillville, IN

Aquinas Catholic Community School is a Catholic school at 801 W. 73rd Avenue in Merrillville. Its mission is forming disciples of Christ through the practice of faith and the pursuit of knowledge. Principal Maegan Clancy-Veleeparambil leads the campus. Daily values are love, pray, try, collaborate, and serve. The school works with parents on academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can assist Spanish-speaking families. Most Indiana families may qualify for the Indiana School Choice Scholarship, which can cover most or all tuition plus registration, book, and technology fees depending on the family's public school district. The application fee is $25 and is nonrefundable. Admissions include a campus tour, application, review of transcripts or report cards, and a family interview. Families may submit an IEP or 504 plan if one exists. Aquinas welcomes applicants regardless of race, religion, disability, sex, or national origin.

Community school
Catholic community school
Indiana School Choice Scholarship
Spanish-speaking office support

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Merrillville High School

Listed

Merrillville, INGrades PreK-12

Merrillville Community School Corporation is dedicated to delivering high-quality educational experiences tailored to meet the diverse needs of its students, including those with special needs. The school serves a wide age range and accommodates students with various diagnoses, ensuring that each child receives the support necessary for their unique learning journey. With a mission centered on providing an inclusive, world-class education, Merrillville fosters an environment where every student can thrive academically and socially. The school employs innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies designed to engage students in meaningful ways, promoting both personal growth and academic achievement. What sets Merrillville apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which allows for personalized attention and strong family partnerships. This collaborative approach not only enhances the educational experience but also builds a supportive community that celebrates each child's potential. Through specialized facilities and unique community events, Merrillville Community School Corporation stands as a leader in nurturing success for all its students.

High school
various diagnoses
Public school

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Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Merrillville

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

How to choose a special needs school

Prepare school-tour questions, compare supports and family communication, and record what each program can show you.

IEP process guide

Bring your IEP, progress evidence, and focused questions to conversations about evaluations, services, or placement.

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Comparing school options in Merrillville

Merrillville Community School Corporation runs its own Special Education Department, with an office at Pierce Middle School, 199 E. 70th Place, and a contact line of 219-650-5330. The district's preschool program, which includes Head Start, welcomes children with special needs and says it works to meet the needs of children who arrive with an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Merrillville's preschool classrooms are built around inclusion. Each enrolled child is screened within the first 45 days with the Speed Dial 4 developmental screener and the DECA social-emotional screener, so teachers can spot possible delays early. A screening is not a special education evaluation. If a screening or your own observations raise concerns, ask the Special Education Department about an evaluation. For infants and toddlers, Indiana's First Steps program serves children from birth to age three, and anyone can make a referral.

Local resources checked October 7, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Merrillville

Where is Merrillville's special education office?

The Merrillville Community School Corporation Special Education Department is located at Pierce Middle School, 199 E. 70th Place, and the district lists 219-650-5330 for the office. Call with questions about evaluations, IEP meetings, or services. For a written evaluation request, keep a dated copy; our evaluation request guide shows what to include.

Does Merrillville's preschool accept children who already have an IEP?

Yes. The preschool family handbook says children with special needs are always welcome and that classrooms are designed to include all children, including those who enter with an IEP. The preschool main office is at Iddings Elementary School, 219-756-5940, and the district also lists preschool offices at Fieler and Miller elementary schools.

What screenings happen in a Merrillville preschool classroom?

Within the first 45 days of enrollment, each child is screened with the Speed Dial 4, which shows where a child is developmentally and flags possible delays, and with the DECA for social-emotional development. Teachers also track early skills like letters, numbers, shapes, and colors through the year. A screening result can prompt an evaluation request, but it does not decide eligibility.

What if my child in First Steps turns three over the summer?

Indiana's transition rules still require the evaluation to be done and the IEP in place by the third birthday. For a summer birthday, services begin at the start of the next school year unless your child needs extended school year (ESY) services, which the district must then start over the summer. Our early intervention guide covers the handoff.

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