Special Needs Care Network Logo

Find Top Programs in Maryland

Discover Maryland schools and centers with individualized instruction, low student-teacher ratios, and integrated social-emotional support. Browse programs across 71 cities with 202 total programs.

202
Programs Listed
71
Cities Covered

Let us help you find the right fit

Our team can match your child with schools in Maryland.

Featured Providers in Maryland

Compare highlighted schools and ABA therapy centers serving families across Maryland.

9
FeaturedABA therapy centerResponsive

Bright Builders ABA

Serving Maryland
Profile
3
FeaturedABA therapy centerResponsive

Ahead ABA

Serving Maryland
Profile
10
FeaturedABA therapy centerResponsive

Blossom ABA Therapy

Serving Maryland
Profile
3
FeaturedABA therapy centerResponsive

Epic Minds Therapy

Serving Maryland
Profile
FeaturedABA therapy centerResponsive

Horizons ABA

Serving Maryland
Profile

Cities with Schools in Maryland

Explore schools across 71 cities in Maryland. Use search to quickly find schools in your area.

Popular Cities

Cities with the most schools

Rockville

23
23 schools
Rockville, Maryland

Baltimore

21
21 schools
Baltimore, Maryland

Bethesda

12
12 schools
Bethesda, Maryland

Silver Spring

8
8 schools
Silver Spring, Maryland

Elkridge

7
7 schools
Elkridge, Maryland

Ellicott City

7
7 schools
Ellicott City, Maryland

Owings Mills

7
7 schools
Owings Mills, Maryland

Gaithersburg

6
6 schools
Gaithersburg, Maryland

All Cities A-Z

71 cities total
A

Cities Starting with A

3 cities

Aberdeen

3
3 schools
Aberdeen, Maryland

Annapolis

2
2 schools
Annapolis, Maryland

Arnold

2
2 schools
Arnold, Maryland
B

Cities Starting with B

8 cities

Baltimore

21
21 schools
Baltimore, Maryland

Bel Air

4
4 schools
Bel Air, Maryland

Belcamp

2
2 schools
Belcamp, Maryland

Beltsville

2
2 schools
Beltsville, Maryland

Bethesda

12
12 schools
Bethesda, Maryland

Bowie

1
1 school
Bowie, Maryland

Brookeville

1
1 school
Brookeville, Maryland

Brooklyn

1
1 school
Brooklyn, Maryland
C

Cities Starting with C

7 cities

California

1
1 school
California, Maryland

Camp Springs

1
1 school
Camp Springs, Maryland

Catonsville

2
2 schools
Catonsville, Maryland

Chillum

1
1 school
Chillum, Maryland

Clarksburg

1
1 school
Clarksburg, Maryland

College Park

1
1 school
College Park, Maryland

Cumberland

4
4 schools
Cumberland, Maryland
D

Cities Starting with D

2 cities

Damascus

3
3 schools
Damascus, Maryland

Darnestown

1
1 school
Darnestown, Maryland
E

Cities Starting with E

6 cities

Easton

1
1 school
Easton, Maryland

Eldersburg

1
1 school
Eldersburg, Maryland

Elkridge

7
7 schools
Elkridge, Maryland

Elkton

3
3 schools
Elkton, Maryland

Ellicott City

7
7 schools
Ellicott City, Maryland

Essex

4
4 schools
Essex, Maryland
F

Cities Starting with F

2 cities

Frederick

2
2 schools
Frederick, Maryland

Fulton

2
2 schools
Fulton, Maryland
G

Cities Starting with G

5 cities

Gaithersburg

6
6 schools
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Gambrills

3
3 schools
Gambrills, Maryland

Germantown

1
1 school
Germantown, Maryland

Glen Burnie

1
1 school
Glen Burnie, Maryland

Gwynn Oak

1
1 school
Gwynn Oak, Maryland
H

Cities Starting with H

3 cities

Hagerstown

1
1 school
Hagerstown, Maryland

Hunt Valley

2
2 schools
Hunt Valley, Maryland

Hyattsville

1
1 school
Hyattsville, Maryland
K

Cities Starting with K

1 city

Kettering

1
1 school
Kettering, Maryland
L

Cities Starting with L

6 cities

La Plata

1
1 school
La Plata, Maryland

Landover

1
1 school
Landover, Maryland

Landover Hills

1
1 school
Landover Hills, Maryland

Lanham

6
6 schools
Lanham, Maryland

Largo

1
1 school
Largo, Maryland

Laurel

4
4 schools
Laurel, Maryland
M

Cities Starting with M

3 cities

Middle River

1
1 school
Middle River, Maryland

Millersville

2
2 schools
Millersville, Maryland

Montgomery Village

1
1 school
Montgomery Village, Maryland
N

Cities Starting with N

2 cities

North Potomac

3
3 schools
North Potomac, Maryland

Nottingham

1
1 school
Nottingham, Maryland
O

Cities Starting with O

1 city

Owings Mills

7
7 schools
Owings Mills, Maryland
P

Cities Starting with P

3 cities

Parsonsburg

1
1 school
Parsonsburg, Maryland

Pasadena

2
2 schools
Pasadena, Maryland

Pomfret

1
1 school
Pomfret, Maryland
R

Cities Starting with R

6 cities

Randallstown

2
2 schools
Randallstown, Maryland

Reisterstown

1
1 school
Reisterstown, Maryland

Ridgely

1
1 school
Ridgely, Maryland

Riverdale

1
1 school
Riverdale, Maryland

Rockville

23
23 schools
Rockville, Maryland

Rosedale

1
1 school
Rosedale, Maryland
S

Cities Starting with S

5 cities

Salisbury

2
2 schools
Salisbury, Maryland

Severna Park

4
4 schools
Severna Park, Maryland

Silver Spring

8
8 schools
Silver Spring, Maryland

Sparks Glencoe

2
2 schools
Sparks Glencoe, Maryland

Sykesville

2
2 schools
Sykesville, Maryland
T

Cities Starting with T

3 cities

Takoma Park

2
2 schools
Takoma Park, Maryland

Timonium

2
2 schools
Timonium, Maryland

Towson

1
1 school
Towson, Maryland
W

Cities Starting with W

5 cities

Waldorf

2
2 schools
Waldorf, Maryland

Walkersville

1
1 school
Walkersville, Maryland

Williamsport

1
1 school
Williamsport, Maryland

Windsor Mill

2
2 schools
Windsor Mill, Maryland

Woodlawn

1
1 school
Woodlawn, Maryland

Special Education in Maryland: What Parents Need to Know

Maryland uses a 60-calendar-day evaluation clock and a formal approval system for nonpublic special education schools. BOOST can help some income-eligible families with ordinary private-school tuition, but a nonpublic IEP placement is a different route funded by the school system.

We currently list 202 specialized schools and programs across 71 communities in Maryland.

Evaluation and IEP timing in Maryland

The IEP team must complete the initial evaluation and determine eligibility within 60 calendar days after receiving parental consent. Maryland counts calendar days, so families should record the consent date and ask for the eligibility meeting date early.

  • The 60-day clock starts with the school system's receipt of parental consent
  • Evaluation data and eligibility are considered by the IEP team within the same timeline
  • If eligible, the team develops the services and placement needed for FAPE

How specialized placements are funded in Maryland

A local school system can fund an approved nonpublic special education school when the IEP team determines the public system cannot meet the student's needs. The separate BOOST scholarship is income-based assistance for participating nonpublic schools and does not replace the district's IDEA obligations.

  • IEP-team nonpublic placements remain the financial responsibility of the local school system
  • BOOST has annual income, school participation, and appropriation rules
  • A family-selected private school does not automatically become a publicly funded placement

Types of Special Needs Schools in Maryland

Not every placement type exists in every state. These are the settings families actually find in Maryland.

Approved nonpublic special education schools

Maryland approves nonpublic day and residential schools, including many MANSEF member programs, to serve students whose IEPs require specialized instruction beyond the local public continuum.

Best for: Students whose funding route, IEP, or support needs match this state-specific placement category

District and regional public programs

Maryland districts may serve students in neighborhood schools, separate classrooms, regional cooperatives, or public separate schools depending on the IEP.

Best for: Students who can receive FAPE within the public-school continuum

Autism and therapeutic day schools

These programs combine academics with behavioral, communication, sensory, or clinical support. Approval and public-payment status must be checked separately.

Best for: Students who need coordinated instruction and therapeutic support throughout the school day

Independent schools for learning differences

These schools commonly focus on dyslexia, language-based learning disabilities, ADHD, executive function, or small-group instruction.

Best for: Students who need specialized teaching but not an intensive therapeutic placement

Maryland Special Needs School Questions

How long does a special education evaluation take in Maryland?

The IEP team must complete the initial evaluation and determine eligibility within 60 calendar days after receiving parental consent. Maryland counts calendar days, so families should record the consent date and ask for the eligibility meeting date early.

What funding can families use for a specialized school in Maryland?

A local school system can fund an approved nonpublic special education school when the IEP team determines the public system cannot meet the student's needs. The separate BOOST scholarship is income-based assistance for participating nonpublic schools and does not replace the district's IDEA obligations.

Can a Maryland district pay for a private special education placement?

Yes, when the IEP team determines that the district cannot provide FAPE in its own programs. The public agency then remains responsible for the placement and IEP. A family-selected private enrollment or scholarship is a different legal and funding route.

What types of specialized schools operate in Maryland?

The state-specific options described on this page include Approved nonpublic special education schools, District and regional public programs, Autism and therapeutic day schools, Independent schools for learning differences. Approval, tuition responsibility, and admission rules differ by setting, so confirm both the school's status and who is responsible for payment before enrolling.

Where should I start for a child under three in Maryland?

Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program is the state's birth-to-three starting point. Local programs coordinate IDEA Part C services from birth to age three and begin transition planning with the family before preschool special education responsibility shifts to the school system.

Maryland Guides & Resources

Next steps for families comparing schools, requesting an evaluation, or working out how to pay for a placement.

Maryland nonpublic placement guide

How IEP teams, local school systems, and approved nonpublic schools divide responsibility.

Read more →

Maryland BOOST scholarship guide

Income rules, participating schools, and how BOOST differs from an IEP placement.

Read more →

How to request a special education evaluation

Start the written record before tracking Maryland's evaluation timeline.

Read more →

Complete IEP guide

Prepare for eligibility, services, placement, and annual review decisions.

Read more →

504 plan vs IEP

Compare the protections and services available through each plan.

Read more →

Choosing a special needs school

Questions to ask when comparing programs in Maryland.

Read more →

Early intervention guide

Understand birth-to-three services and the transition into Maryland schools.

Read more →

IEP meeting prep checklist

Organize records, questions, and priorities before the team meets.

Read more →

Sources for this page

State rules change. This page was last reviewed against primary sources on July 28, 2026. Confirm current requirements with your school district or the relevant state agency before making a decision.

Find Your Perfect Match

With 202 schools and centers across 71 cities in Maryland, we'll help you find the right educational environment for your child's unique needs.