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Best Special Needs Schools in Frankfort, Kentucky (2026)

Compare 3 special needs schools in Frankfort. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Frankfort

Stewart Home and School student riding a horse in the indoor equestrian arena.
2

Stewart Home & School

Listed
Frankfort, KY

Stewart Home & School is a nurturing and vibrant community dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Situated on an expansive 850-acre bluegrass farm, the school serves students of varying ages, focusing particularly on those with unique needs such as language-based learning disabilities and other developmental challenges. With over 130 years of experience, Stewart Home & School emphasizes individualized programming that fosters personal growth, social development, and lifelong learning. The school's approach combines structured activities with flexible opportunities for engagement, allowing students to thrive through participation in classes, work programs, equestrian activities, and Special Olympics sports. What truly sets Stewart Home & School apart is its commitment to creating a familial atmosphere, characterized by a low student-teacher ratio and strong partnerships with families. This supportive environment not only cultivates friendships among students from across the country and around the world but also encourages them to embrace their passions in a safe and joyful setting.

  • Private educational institution
  • Accredited
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3

Thorn Hill Education Center

Listed
Frankfort, KY

Thorn Hill Education Center is a dedicated non-profit institution located in Frankfort, Kentucky, focused on empowering adults through a comprehensive range of educational programs that extend well beyond the GED. Serving individuals of various backgrounds, Thorn Hill is particularly committed to enhancing literacy and essential skills in reading, math, and computer usage, while also providing vital career and college readiness support. The center's approach includes individualized assistance, workplace literacy initiatives, and family literacy programs designed to foster lifelong learning and personal growth. What sets Thorn Hill apart is its commitment to free services such as professional certifications, ESL classes, and college navigation support. Additionally, the center offers online resources like printable worksheets and video tutorials to aid learners in their educational journeys. With a vision of transforming challenges into opportunities for personal achievement and community engagement, Thorn Hill Education Center stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking to improve their lives through education.

  • School
  • Private school
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Nearby school options

Compare special-needs schools near Frankfort

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Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Frankfort

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.

Comparing school options in Frankfort

Frankfort is home to two separate public school systems. Franklin County Schools, with its central office at 652 Chamberlin Avenue, runs an Exceptional Children program, and Frankfort Independent Schools has its own Director of Special Education, who also serves as the district's 504 coordinator. The district that handles your child's evaluation depends on where you live and where your child is enrolled.

Franklin County describes its special education staff as people who assess students' educational strengths and needs, diagnose specific learning and behavior problems, explain evaluation results to parents and teachers, and refer students to community resources when needed. Its stated mission is to serve students in the least restrictive environment: for most students, special education is a supportive service, and students taught mainly in special classes are included in mainstream activities as much as possible. Kentucky's state-funded preschool also serves all three- and four-year-olds with identified disabilities, regardless of income.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Frankfort

Which school district handles special education for my Frankfort address?
Frankfort has two districts, Franklin County Schools and Frankfort Independent Schools, and each runs its own special education program. Confirm which district serves your address before you request an evaluation, then send a written request to that district. Our evaluation request guide explains what to include and how to keep a record.
What does Franklin County's Exceptional Children program do?
Franklin County's special education staff assess educational strengths and needs, diagnose specific learning and behavior problems, and evaluate emotional concerns that may interfere with learning. They meet with parents and teachers to explain psychological evaluation results and refer students to community resources when help is needed beyond school. The program aims to serve each student in the least restrictive environment.
Does Franklin County Schools offer training for parents?
Yes. The Exceptional Children page lists parent involvement resource trainings. Topics have included executive function, and sessions meet in the evening at the Franklin County Schools Central Office, 652 Chamberlin Avenue. Check the page for upcoming topics. Pair a session with our IEP guide to prepare for your child's next meeting.
Can my three-year-old with a disability attend public preschool in Frankfort?
Kentucky's state-funded preschool serves all three- and four-year-olds with identified disabilities regardless of family income, and four-year-olds whose family income is at or below 160% of poverty. Contact the district that serves your address, Franklin County or Frankfort Independent, to ask about preschool screening and a special education evaluation.

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