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Best Special Needs Schools in Andover, Massachusetts (2026)

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

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School listings in Andover

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1

CREST Collaborative

Listed
Andover, MA

EPIC, Essex Lower Academy and Essex Upper Academy address different needs within CREST Collaborative. EPIC serves students with intensive needs, multiple disabilities and medical complexity. The Essex academies focus on social and emotional needs. We offer these programs through our Andover campus and partnerships with public school districts when students need support beyond the options in their home schools. Lifeways and Lifeworks work with students with autism and intellectual disabilities. Merrimack Academy supports students whose emotional, behavioral, academic or complex risk factors affect their education. Each program has its own audience and approach, and we match the educational setting to the students it serves. Our district partnerships reach across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. We provide services in students' home schools as well as placements at our campus, bringing together support for learning, behavioral, physical and medical needs. Programs extend from preschool into adulthood. For adults age 22 and older, Visions provides community based day services and supported group employment through contracts with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. That adult program continues our work beyond school-age placements.

  • School
  • Learning differences
  • Twice-exceptional
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Greater Lawrence Technical School front entrance with a glass facade and flagpole
2

Greater Lawrence Technical School

Listed
Andover, MAGrades 9-12Tuition-free

Greater Lawrence Technical School is the regional technical high school for Andover, Lawrence, Methuen and North Andover, and our students get two educations in one: academics plus hands-on career training. Students spend close to half their time in one of our 21 Chapter 74 approved Career Technical Education programs, which range from aviation, biotechnology and robotics and automation to plumbing, electrical, culinary arts, dental assisting and cosmetology and barbering. Ninth graders explore each career program before choosing a path, with career counseling to guide the choice, and students work toward a Certificate of Proficiency in their program before graduation. Cooperative education places upper-grade students in paid work. Our campus on River Road includes the student-run Four Winds Restaurant, Great Looks Today Salon, automotive and collision repair shops and Little Reggies Daycare. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits our school. Students can play MIAA athletics and join clubs such as Creative Arts and the American Red Cross Club, and we have an English Learners Department and a student support services team. Seats for grades 9 to 12 are filled by lottery when applications exceed space.

  • Public regional vocational technical high school
  • Career and technical education
  • Transition support
  • Accredited
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3

North East Educational and Developmental Support Center

Listed
Andover, MA

The NEEDS Center, established in 2012, is dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities by providing comprehensive education, training, and support aimed at fostering independence. Serving a diverse population that includes children and adults with diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), and behavioral challenges, the center emphasizes a philosophy grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behavior Support (PBS). Through its innovative day programs in Massachusetts and Florida, the NEEDS Center creates a supportive community where participants can engage in skill-building activities, recreational opportunities, and volunteer work. The residential services further enhance this mission by offering safe, family-oriented homes that focus on both skill development and personal independence. Unique to the NEEDS Center is its commitment to collaboration with families and educational institutions, ensuring that each individual receives tailored support that meets their specific needs. With a strong emphasis on creating meaningful connections within the community, the center stands out as a beacon of hope for families seeking to enhance the lives of their loved ones with disabilities.

  • Non-profit organization
  • Autism
  • behavioral challenges
  • Private school
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Nearby school options

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Planning guides

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How to choose a special needs school

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IEP process guide

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

Comparing school options in Andover

Andover Public Schools' Special Services Office oversees special education for the district and serves more than 1,060 students ages 3 to 22 who have been identified with educational disabilities. The office is at 30 Whittier Court, and its leadership includes an assistant director who also works as the district's placement coordinator.

Because the district serves children from age three, Andover is also the public starting point for preschool special education. Massachusetts requires each district to make early childhood special education available at no cost to children ages 3 to 5 with disabilities. Services can happen at home, in child care, or in a public school, as the IEP Team decides. Referral and evaluation work the same way as for older students. The Special Services page also links families to Andover SEPAC, the local special education parent advisory council.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Andover

What ages does Andover's Special Services Office serve?
Andover's Special Services Office serves students ages 3 to 22, more than 1,060 of them at last count. That range covers preschool special education, kindergarten through grade 12, and older students who remain eligible after high school. If your concern is about an infant or toddler under three, the starting point is Early Intervention, not the school district. See our early intervention guide.
Who handles placement questions in Andover?
Andover's Special Services leadership includes an Assistant Director who serves as Placement Coordinator. Under Massachusetts rules, placement is a Team decision made after the IEP is written, and the Team must consider in-district settings first. When an out-of-district placement is on the table, the district may hold a separate placement meeting, and both the district and the parent look into in-district and out-of-district options beforehand.
My child is two and in Early Intervention. When should Andover hear from us?
Massachusetts guidance recommends that EI send the special education referral to your district of residence when your child is about 30 months old. EI should also hold a Transition Planning Conference that includes a district representative at least 90 days before the third birthday. You sign the evaluation consent form, and eligible children should start IEP services by age three.
Can preschool special education in Andover happen outside a school building?
Yes. Massachusetts says early childhood special education services for children ages 3 to 5 can be delivered at home, in a child care setting, or in a public school. The IEP Team decides the setting. Services are free to families. Our IEP guide explains how the Team builds the plan and where your input fits.

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