Best Special Needs Schools in Cambridge, Minnesota (2026)

Rum River Special Education Cooperative is dedicated to empowering students with diverse learning needs, specifically serving children with language-based learning disabilities and those who are twice-exceptional. The school's core mission revolves around fostering an inclusive environment where each student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Utilizing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Rum River implements a data-driven approach that ensures personalized instruction and interventions tailored to individual needs, enhancing overall student outcomes. The school offers a range of specialized programs and therapeutic methodologies, including services for autism, speech-language therapy, and support for students with visual and hearing impairments. This comprehensive framework not only addresses educational challenges but also promotes holistic development, ensuring that students receive the support necessary for their unique journeys. What sets Rum River apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and fostering strong partnerships with families. The school's specialized facilities are designed to create a nurturing environment, complemented by community events that engage students and their families, reinforcing a sense of belonging and support. Rum River Special Education Cooperative stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for families seeking a dedicated educational path for their children with special needs.

• Special education school
• Autism
• Hearing-impaired
• Learning differences

Rum River South is one of three education programs run by the Rum River Special Education Cooperative for students with significant behavioral needs, operated through joint powers agreements with our member districts. Our building on 20th Avenue NE in Cambridge has its own classrooms, curricula, teachers, support staff and gym. Students come to us through a referral from their home school district and their IEP team rather than open enrollment. Case managers and support staff work to stabilize each student's behavior and build the academic, social and self-control skills needed to return to their home district. When a student makes enough progress, partial-day reintegration begins on criteria set by the IEP team. The cooperative's behavior analysts, school psychologists and speech-language, occupational and physical therapy staff serve its programs and member districts. Students follow the cooperative calendar and lunch menu and take part in the Minnesota MCA and MTAS assessments. A Virtual Calming Room gives students sensory tools for self-regulation.

• Public special education day program (behavioral needs)
• Emotional/behavioral support
• Behavioral intervention
• Reintegration planning

Rum River Special Education Cooperative takes its name from the Rum River, which flows from Mille Lacs Lake through central Minnesota and links the communities we serve. From our office in Cambridge, we provide resources, personnel and leadership in special education to our member districts, and each district has a Rum River coordinator for student needs. Three of our four buildings house Education Programs: Rum River East, North and South. These programs serve students with significant behavioral needs in classrooms with their own curricula, teachers and support staff. Enrollment comes only through a referral from a member district and an IEP team process. Case managers work to stabilize behavior and build the skills students need to return to their home district, beginning with partial-day reintegration once IEP team criteria are met. Our itinerant staff also cover low-incidence areas, including blind and visually impaired, deafblind, and deaf and hard of hearing services.

• Special education cooperative
• Significant behavioral needs
• Blind and visually impaired
• Deafblind