Top 6 Best Special Needs Schools in Lanham, Maryland (2026)

We serve grades 3 through 12 at High Road Academy of Prince George's County. Teachers plan instruction around each student's IEP in smaller, structured classrooms, coordinating academic, behavioral and emotional supports with families and district partners. Our academy offers speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, social work, and transition and life skills programming. Students receive support through the Spark academic and behavioral pathway or the Spring instruction and life skills pathway, according to their needs.

• Private special-education day school (SESI therapeutic day school)
• Behavioral Support Needs
• Emotional Disability
• Learning differences

We serve students in grades 1 through 8 at High Road Lower School of Prince George's County. Our lower school uses smaller, structured classrooms with instruction guided by each student's IEP goals. Occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, social work and sensory rooms are offered here. Spark, Spring and Bloom pathways address academic and behavioral needs, instruction and life skills, and functional communication and daily living. Staff coordinate supports with families and school district partners rather than assuming every student needs the same services.

• Private special education day school
• Behavioral Support Needs
• Emotional Disability
• Learning differences

Our upper school serves grades 9 through 12 at High Road Upper School of Prince George's County. We align instruction and academic, behavioral and emotional supports with students' IEP goals in smaller classrooms. Speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, and transition and life skills programming are available at this school. Spark, Spring and Bloom pathways address academic and behavioral support, instruction and life skills, and functional communication and daily living. We work with families and district partners as students prepare for their next steps.

• Special education school
• Behavioral Support Needs
• Emotional Disability
• Learning differences

Sheppard Pratt School in Lanham is a nonpublic special education day school at 4819 Walden Lane, Suite 4880 in Lanham, Maryland. It is part of the Sheppard Pratt Health System and operates year-round, providing 12 months of instruction. The school serves students ages 5 to 21 who have autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities, and other health impairments. It is a Type I school approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and admission generally happens through the special education referral and IEP placement process rather than direct private enrollment. Classrooms run at a 2:1 staff-to-student ratio, and the school currently has capacity for 72 students. Instruction follows an adapted version of the Maryland state curriculum along with the UNIQUE Learning System, and students are grouped by age, ability, social skills, and behavior. The staff includes licensed teachers, behavioral specialists, curriculum specialists, occupational and speech therapists, and trained assistants. Each student is evaluated against their Individual Education Program (IEP) on intake, and most students follow a behavioral plan. On-site related services include speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school nursing, and psychiatric services as needed. The building includes sensory elements such as bubble tubes and a 50-gallon fish tank, interactive whiteboards in every classroom, a kitchen, a multi-purpose room, and a playground, and recent renovations added classrooms and an expanded occupational therapy room. The program emphasizes functional and practical skills alongside academics. Students take part in weekly community-based instruction and recreational outings, and the school partners with local businesses for community-based job sites where students practice real-world skills like greeting customers and bussing tables. Vocational and life skills training, transition services, healthy-cooking instruction in the on-site kitchen, and a school store give students hands-on practice toward independence. Daily lunch is provided. Pet therapy, parent nights, and seasonal events round out the program. Most students come from Prince George's County, with others traveling from Washington, D.C., Anne Arundel County, Charles County, and Northern Virginia. Many students stay through graduation and a Certificate of Completion, after which the school connects families with job placement, housing, and other adult-transition resources. Families can reach the school at SPLanhamSchool@sheppardpratt.org to arrange a visit.

• Nonpublic special education day school (autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities), ages 5 to 21
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school

STEM Prep Tutoring is dedicated to unlocking the academic potential of students from Elementary through High School, specializing in personalized, one-on-one tutoring in Math, English Language Arts (ELA), and Science. The school's core mission centers on understanding that each child learns differently, which is why a customized approach is adopted to address individual learning needs. With expert tutors who are subject matter specialists, STEM Prep ensures that each student's unique learning style is recognized and catered to through tailor-made tutoring plans. Comprehensive assessments at the outset help identify proficiency levels and knowledge gaps, allowing for targeted instruction that promotes growth. The school also emphasizes ongoing communication with families by providing monthly progress reports that detail academic performance and insights into learning strategies. What sets STEM Prep apart is its commitment to supporting students at all academic levels, including those who may be easily distracted or those who require advanced challenges. This focus on personalized, participatory education fosters strong partnerships with families and cultivates a supportive community environment where every student can thrive academically.

• Education center
• Private school

Pathways Schools is a dynamic educational institution dedicated to empowering students with diverse learning needs since 1982. The core mission is to equip students with the essential skills required for success in school, career, and life, focusing on a wide range of abilities and challenges. Key offerings at Pathways Schools include a continuum of program models designed to accommodate various student needs. These programs feature individualized instruction in small, structured classrooms, ensuring personalized attention and support. Therapeutic methodologies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy are integrated into the curriculum. Additionally, social skills groups are available to foster interpersonal development and community engagement. What sets Pathways Schools apart is its commitment to a restraint and seclusion-free environment, with a 100% success rate in this area. The school boasts a highly experienced professional staff, with 42% of educators having over ten years of service. The nurturing campus environment promotes student independence and success, while vocational training and summer programs provide further opportunities for growth and development.

• Special education school
• ADHD
• Autism
• Private school