Top 6 Best Special Needs Schools in Burton, Michigan (2026)

Bendle High School serves grades 9 to 12 for Bendle Public Schools, a four-square-mile district in the city of Burton in Genesee County. As the district's only high school, we sit alongside a middle school, two elementary schools and an early childhood center. Planning for life after graduation starts early here. Every student keeps an Educational Development Plan, a career-focused action plan that our counselors review with them each year. Our counseling department provides academic, personal and career counseling and guides students through scheduling, college applications, scholarship searches, FAFSA, PSAT, ACT and SAT registration, and NCAA Clearinghouse registration. Students can take dual enrollment college courses, attend career-technical programs at the Genesee Career Institute, or take online courses through GenNET. College representatives visit campus, and we share information on skilled trades apprenticeships and military careers. Our district also offers athletics, before and after-school activities, summer programs, and a Bendle Virtual Academy.

• Public high school (9-12)
• Career planning
• Dual enrollment
• Public school

Burton Glen Charter Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Burton for students from Young 5s through eighth grade. We are part of the National Heritage Academies network and are authorized by Northern Michigan University. Families apply during open enrollment, and we hold a random lottery only when applications exceed open seats. Character education is part of each school day through our Moral Focus program, where students study virtues such as respect, gratitude, perseverance and integrity and tie them to everyday choices. Teachers use a research-backed curriculum and student data to set the right level of challenge. Each grade band has its own dean, including one who oversees grades 4 and 5 and special education, and a Dean of Intervention leads our intervention services. We also support multilingual learners, and our Communities in Schools partnership connects families with local resources. Students take art, music, physical education and technology, and our students compete in regional robotics. Families get progress reports each marking period and conferences through the year. We do not run on-site before- or after-school care, and we share a list of nearby providers.

• Public charter school (Young 5s-8)
• Character education (Moral Focus)
• Robotics
• Public school

Double Dragon Tang Soo Do is dedicated to empowering students of all ages through martial arts training that fosters personal growth and resilience. This inclusive school serves a diverse community, welcoming individuals from young children to seniors, including those seeking to improve their physical fitness, social skills, and self-confidence. At the heart of its mission is a commitment to teaching traditional Korean martial arts while incorporating innovative programs like Tai Chi (QiGong), which offers a gentler approach for those preferring a more relaxed training experience. The school emphasizes holistic development"”students engage in activities that enhance strength, balance, and flexibility while also promoting mental well-being. What sets Double Dragon apart is its focus on community and family involvement, reflected in its low student-to-teacher ratio that ensures personalized attention for each learner. The curriculum not only equips students with valuable self-defense skills but also instills essential life lessons such as respect, discipline, and focus. Moreover, the school's welcoming environment encourages social interaction among peers, helping students build friendships and learn vital social skills in a supportive setting. With multiple locations and a history of transforming lives since 2004, Double Dragon Tang Soo Do is more than just a martial arts school; it is a nurturing community where every student can thrive.

• Martial arts school
• Private school

The ROAR clothing store, a food pantry and a weekend backpack food program form part of the practical support our South Bendle Volunteer Center coordinates for Bendle families. The center also provides parenting and volunteer opportunities. We connect that work with children's early school years at South Bendle Elementary in Burton, Michigan, where we welcome kindergarten through second-grade students at 4341 Larkin. When a child needs additional educational help, the classroom teacher can begin the Child Study Team process. The team combines professional perspectives with parent input, identifies needs and recommends a plan of action. We work with families through the process, using parent input alongside the different professional perspectives when recommending the plan of action. South Bendle has a resource room through Bendle Public Schools' special education services. District speech and language services extend from preschool through high school, and every school building has access to social work services. Teachers, families and the wider Bendle community support children as they develop foundational school skills. Families can use Parent Vue for student information, join school activities and take part in the district's parent involvement opportunities.

• Elementary school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Public school

St. Thomas More Academy is a Catholic K–12 school in Burton. Our program combines academic studies with the teachings of the Catholic Church, serving students across elementary, middle and high school grades. Families can explore the school’s curriculum, community and enrollment information through the academy.

• High school
• Private school

West Bendle Elementary serves students in grades 3 to 5 in Burton, Michigan, as one of two elementary schools in Bendle Public Schools. Our district covers four square miles in Genesee County and also runs an early childhood center. Our building has a resource room for students who receive special education support, and a school social worker is available on site. Speech and language services are offered for district students from preschool through high school. When a student is struggling, the classroom teacher brings in our Child Study Team, which gathers several professionals and the parents to build a plan of action. Evaluations and services under IDEA and Section 504 are available to eligible students. Students track their independent reading through Accelerated Reader. The district provides social and health services, before and after school activities and summer programs, and families who live outside the district can apply through Schools of Choice.

• Public elementary school (grades 3-5)
• Public school