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

High Road Academy of Prince George's County is a private special-education day school at 5100 Philadelphia Way, Suite J, in Lanham, MD, run by Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI). It enrolls students in grades 3 to 12 and operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. Students are typically referred by their home school district, and instruction is built around each child's Individualized Education Program (IEP). The school works with students who have academic, emotional, and behavioral needs, including autism, learning disabilities, and communication delays, as well as learners affected by trauma, anxiety, or school avoidance. Teaching is organized into two learning pathways. The Spark pathway supports students with strong academic potential alongside behavioral or emotional challenges, including those navigating regulation, peer relationships, and trust-building. The Spring pathway focuses on instruction and life skills for students with learning disabilities, autism, or communication delays, using structured routines, repetition, and visual supports as they prepare for adulthood. Classes are kept small so teachers, therapists, and staff can give individualized attention in structured, predictable settings. The program uses SESI's Integrated Multi-Tiered System of Support, an evidence-based, data-driven model that adjusts the level of support to the student rather than reassigning the student. Related services available on site include speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, social work services, and a transition and life-skills program. Goals range from moving a student to a less restrictive setting to progressing toward graduation or a certificate of completion, with progress monitored against IEP goals throughout the year. The school also offers Extended School Year (ESY) services during the summer for students whose IEP teams determine that continued instruction is needed to prevent regression and maintain progress. ESY runs in small, structured classrooms with academic and behavioral instruction aligned to each student's IEP. The school is led by School Director Kimberly Cherry, who has worked at the Prince George's County campus since 2012. Families and districts can reach the school at 1-301-429-6191 or through the contact form on its page.

High Road Lower School of Prince George's County is a private special education day school at 9701 Philadelphia Court, Suite P in Lanham, Maryland. It serves students in grades 1 through 8 who have academic, emotional, and behavioral needs that a typical district classroom cannot fully address. The school runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. and can be reached at 301-636-6614. It is operated by Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a K-12 provider that runs private day schools and in-district classrooms in partnership with school districts, so placements here are generally arranged through a student's district and IEP rather than direct private tuition. Instruction is built around each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and delivered in small, structured classrooms so teachers, therapists, and staff can work closely with each child. The school organizes its work into three learning pathways. Spark supports students with strong academic potential alongside behavioral or emotional challenges, including learners affected by trauma, anxiety, school avoidance, or juvenile justice involvement. Spring focuses on instruction and life skills for students with learning disabilities, autism, or communication delays who benefit from structured routines, repetition, and visual supports. Bloom serves students with significant cognitive or physical impairments who are nonverbal or minimally verbal and need close support with communication, transitions, and self-care in a calm, sensory-friendly setting. Related services offered on site include occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, social work services, and sensory rooms, with the specific mix tailored to each student's IEP goals. Classrooms align instruction to district curriculum standards while reinforcing prosocial behavior and self-regulation, and the program aims to help students either transition back to a less restrictive district setting or continue progressing toward graduation. The Lower School is one of three SESI High Road campuses in Prince George's County, alongside High Road Academy (grades 3 to 12) and High Road Upper School (grades 9 to 12).

In Lanham, MD, High Road Upper School of Prince George's County runs a SESI day-school program for 9-12 students from a campus at 9701 Philadelphia Ct Suite M. Programming is organized around the Spark, Spring, and Bloom learning pathways, with placement driven by IEP and support profile. On-site related services include Life Skills, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Therapy. School hours: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.. The campus phone is 1-301-210-4860. High Road is SESI's day-school program for students whose emotional and behavioral needs aren't being met in a typical classroom.

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 or 240-667-1423 to arrange a visit.

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.

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.