Top 10 Best Special Needs Schools in Rochester Hills, Michigan (2026)

The Alternative Center for Education, known as ACE, is the alternative high school program of Rochester Community Schools, housed at 1440 John R Road in Rochester Hills. Our students are the ACE Bulldogs, and the program gives high schoolers a different route to the credits they need to graduate. Flexible scheduling lets each student take seven credits per school year, with the chance to earn more through work and additional online classes. Online courses are open to ACE students both during and outside the school day. Mentoring, study skills time and reading time are built into every ACE day, and a school counselor works with students on SAT readiness and senior planning. Seniors follow the graduation requirements and senior information of the district's three main high schools.

• Public alternative high school
• Alternative education
• Flexible scheduling
• Public school

Avondale's GATE Magnet School is the district's gifted and talented magnet for grades 2 to 8. We enroll students who live within Avondale's boundaries and also accept out-of-district families through Schools of Choice. Our curriculum moves at an accelerated pace and goes deeper into English language arts, math, science and social studies. Students have a voice in their own learning, and teachers meet each child where they are academically, socially and emotionally. Admission runs through a single online application window each year, with no mid-year entry. Families submit a first-semester report card, and students sit the NWEA MAP reading and math assessments; those scoring at the 90th percentile or higher in both, or meeting other rubric requirements, move on to a CogAT screener before the team makes a final decision. Parents may also submit official IQ results. Avondale also runs a K-1 Gifted Companion Program and a high school gifted program, so students can continue in gifted education beyond grade 8.

• Public gifted and talented magnet school (grades 2-8)
• Gifted and talented
• Gifted education
• Accelerated curriculum

Home of the Bulldogs, Brewster Elementary School is a Rochester Community Schools neighborhood elementary in Rochester Hills serving Transitional Kindergarten through fifth grade. Our free TK program is a full-day, two-year kindergarten for children turning five between June 1 and December 1, and our full-day kindergarten covers literacy, math, science, social studies, art, music, media and physical education. Character education runs through every grade with The Positivity Project, where students learn 24 character strengths and practice the Other People Mindset in class and around the building. Our Media Center hosts Authors in April and gives students access to Destiny Discover and Sora for digital reading. Outside class, students can join Robotics, Drama Club, Student Council, Safety Patrol, Community Service Kids, Battle of the Books, Math Pentathlon, Reflections and the district choir, with offerings that shift from year to year. Families can arrange school-age care through the district, and students ride buses run by Durham School Services.

• Public elementary school (TK-5)
• Transitional kindergarten
• Character education (Positivity Project)
• Public school

Hampton Elementary is one of the neighborhood elementary schools of Rochester Community Schools in Rochester Hills. Our classrooms begin with kindergarten, and our media center and annual Authors in April program keep reading at the center of the year. Our learning consultant, who is also one of our Reading Recovery teachers, leads Tier 2 and Tier 3 academic intervention within the district's multi-tiered support model. She works with classroom teachers on differentiation and accommodations, coordinates district and state assessments, and keeps parents updated on their child's progress. Hampton also receives Title I resources. Students who qualify for special education are served under an IEP by Rochester's district team of special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, social workers, psychologists, and occupational and physical therapists. About 97% of the district's students with disabilities receive services in their neighborhood school, learning alongside nondisabled peers as much as possible.

• Public elementary school
• Public school

Holy Family Regional School opened on September 3, 1980, with 128 students from two founding parishes. Today we are a Catholic school of more than 850 students and 110 staff, from Young 5s through eighth grade, supported by the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Irenaeus and St. Mary of the Hills. Our North Campus in Rochester serves Young 5 through third grade, and our South Campus on John R Road in Rochester Hills serves grades 4 to 8. Students have religion class daily and attend weekly Mass, and Young 5s through sixth graders take part in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd each week. Classes also include art, computer, library, music, physical education and Spanish, and each North Campus classroom has a teacher assistant. Our Support Services team of administrators, teachers, specialists and a school counselor runs a school-wide identification and intervention process, and our Talent Development program offers gifted students Future Problem Solving, First Lego League and debate. As a CYO member school, we field teams in football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, bowling, lacrosse, track, cross country and sideline cheer, starting in fourth grade.

• Catholic school (Young 5s-8)
• Gifted and talented
• Catholic education
• Gifted enrichment (Talent Development)

Lutheran Northwest Christian High School in Rochester, Michigan, is dedicated to providing a nurturing and faith-based educational environment for students in grades 9 through 12. The school's core mission is to inspire and equip students to develop a strong Christian worldview while fostering a lifelong love of learning. Lutheran Northwest serves a diverse student body, including those with various learning needs, ensuring that each individual is supported in their academic and personal growth. The school employs a holistic approach to education, integrating rigorous academic programs with character development and spiritual growth. Students benefit from a curriculum designed to cultivate critical thinking and creativity, complemented by a range of extracurricular activities that promote teamwork and leadership skills. Lutheran Northwest emphasizes the importance of community and relationships, encouraging strong partnerships with families to support each student's unique journey. What sets Lutheran Northwest apart is its commitment to individualized attention, reflected in a low student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized instruction and support. The school also boasts specialized facilities that enhance the learning experience, along with a vibrant community that celebrates student achievements through various events and activities. This unique blend of academic excellence, spiritual guidance, and community involvement makes Lutheran Northwest a distinctive choice for families seeking a comprehensive educational experience for their children.

• High school
• Private school

Adams High School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for students in Rochester Hills, Michigan. With a mission centered on collaboration among students, parents, staff, and the community, the school aims to equip learners with essential knowledge and communication skills while nurturing their growth into responsible and respectful individuals. Serving a diverse student body, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners, Adams High School emphasizes a tailored educational experience that meets the unique needs of each student. The school employs innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies designed to enhance learning and personal development, ensuring that every child can thrive academically and socially. What sets Adams High School apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, fostering strong partnerships with families, and providing specialized facilities that cater to various learning styles. Additionally, the school hosts unique community events that promote engagement and inclusivity, making it a cornerstone of support for families navigating the complexities of special needs education.

• High school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional

Rochester Community Schools (RCS) stands as a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment where all students, including those with diverse learning needs, can thrive. Serving a broad age range from transitional kindergarten through grade 12, RCS is particularly attuned to the unique challenges faced by students with language-based learning disabilities and those identified as twice-exceptional. The school's core mission emphasizes providing a quality education that equips students with essential skills and knowledge, enabling them to become lifelong learners who contribute meaningfully to an ever-evolving world. RCS employs innovative educational methodologies and tailored programs designed to address the specific needs of its diverse student population. With a focus on student-centered and inquiry-based instructional strategies, the district integrates therapeutic approaches that promote both academic and personal growth. This commitment is reflected in the impressive graduation rate of 97%, which is among the highest in Oakland County, alongside robust Advanced Placement offerings for high school students. What truly sets Rochester Community Schools apart is its unwavering dedication to fostering strong partnerships between families, schools, and the community. The low student-teacher ratio allows for personalized attention, ensuring that each child's unique learning style is recognized and supported. Specialized facilities enhance the learning experience, while community events enrich student engagement and foster a sense of belonging. Through initiatives like the Great Start Readiness Program for pre-K children and various support services aimed at maximizing student success, RCS exemplifies its commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every child can flourish.

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

Rochester High School traces its roots to 1883, and our current building at Livernois and Walton opened to students on October 31, 1956. About 1,600 students in grades 9 to 12 attend, with a staff of about 100, on a 71-acre campus about a mile west of downtown Rochester. A full renovation in 2001 added a new auditorium and theater, computer and photography labs, science labs and a courtyard greenhouse. We also have a swimming pool, football stadium, track, tennis courts and ball fields. Students take AP courses, can attend Oakland Schools Technical Campuses for career training, and plan their path each year with counselors using Xello. Our support staff includes a school psychologist, speech pathologist, teacher consultant and interventionist, and students can get help in our Academic Center or take a break in the Calming Corner. Student-led clubs range from Art Club and the American Sign Language Honor Society to the Computer Science Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society, and club fees are waived or reduced for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. We are part of Rochester Community Schools and accredited by NCA.

• Public high school (grades 9-12)
• AP courses
• Career technical education
• Accredited

Somerset Early Childhood Center was founded in 1982 by two early childhood education professors as a model program, and our Rochester Hills school opened in 1986. One founder, a retired Oakland University professor, is still involved in running the school today. We are an independent private school with no religious affiliation, housed in the education wing of University Presbyterian Church on Adams Road. We teach children from 2 1/2 through kindergarten age. Our preschool for ages 2 1/2 to 4 runs at one teacher to eight students, and toilet training is not required. Our pre-kindergarten for ages 4 to 5 runs at one teacher to nine, and we also offer kindergarten enrichment. Every teacher holds at least a four-year degree in early childhood education or a related field. Our curriculum draws on Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Vygotsky, Piaget and Erikson, along with Habits of Mind and executive function skills. Somerset has held NAEYC accreditation since 2000. Families choose morning, afternoon, half-day or full-day schedules, with extended care available. We also offer the state's free Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) pre-K.

• Private preschool and pre-K
• Reggio Emilia-inspired
• Executive function skills
• Accredited