Top 7 Best Special Needs Schools in Edina, Minnesota (2026)

Countryside Elementary is a National Blue Ribbon School and one of six elementary schools in Edina Public Schools, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. Our building has flexible learning spaces, and students also use a maker space and a school garden. Character education runs through the year under CharacterStrong, which we call CountrysideStrong. Our three goals for students are Be Kind, Be Strong and Be Well, with lessons on listening, friendship, resolving conflicts, focus, organization and handling stress. Students take on service projects and student leadership roles, and Edina Community Education offers classes and activities outside the school day.

• Public elementary school
• Character education
• Maker space
• Public school

Creek Valley Elementary is home to an Edina Public Schools district program for students on the autism spectrum, alongside general education classrooms for kindergarten through fifth grade. Special education paraprofessionals support students in the autism program and students with specific learning disabilities. About 25% of our students speak a home language other than English, and English as a second language teachers work in our building, which includes flexible learning spaces. The Creek Valley Bobcats live by the motto GO MAD, short for "Go Out and Make A Difference." Students practice it every day by greeting guests, helping at school events, broadcasting the daily announcements and leading service projects and assemblies.

• Public elementary school
• Autism
• Learning differences
• Public school

The Edina Early Learning and Family Center is where Edina Public Schools begins, with classes for newborns through preschool and a parent education program alongside them. Our preschool for three to five year olds uses play-based learning to build emergent literacy, math and social skills, with half-day and full six-hour day options; full-day tuition includes lunch, snack and supplies. Two-year-old classes include a parenting component where caregivers join their child in the classroom. Preschool seats are assigned through an annual lottery each winter, and tuition assistance is available. Our Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes combine parent-child activity time, parent discussion groups and children's learning sessions led by licensed parent educators and early childhood teachers. We also host Early Childhood Screening and Early Childhood Special Education, which serves children from birth to kindergarten with developmental delays in speech and language, motor skills, social and emotional behavior, cognitive or adaptive skills, or vision or hearing loss. From age three, these IEP services can be delivered here at the center.

• Public early learning center (preschool and ECFE)
• Developmental delays
• Speech therapy
• Vision or hearing loss

Edina High School is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and personal growth for its diverse student body, including those with unique learning needs. Serving students from grades 6 through 12, the school embraces individuals with various diagnoses, ensuring a supportive environment that promotes both emotional and physical safety. The core mission revolves around providing a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for future challenges across multiple disciplines, including Reading, English Language Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Edina High School employs innovative teaching methodologies and therapeutic programs designed to cultivate well-rounded graduates who are not only academically proficient but also globally competent and socially responsible. The school emphasizes the development of effective communication skills and collaborative abilities, encouraging students to engage actively in their learning processes. What sets Edina High School apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which fosters personalized attention and strong family partnerships. This collaborative approach extends beyond the classroom through community events that enhance student engagement and promote inclusivity. With a focus on nurturing innovative thinkers and lifelong learners, Edina High School stands as a beacon of support for families seeking an enriching educational experience for their children with special needs.

• High school
• Public school

Edina Morningside Preschool is dedicated to providing a nurturing and engaging environment for young learners, specifically designed for children preparing for Kindergarten. Catering to a diverse range of developmental needs, the preschool focuses on holistic growth, emphasizing the importance of social development alongside academic skills. With a play-based and active learning approach, children thrive as they explore their world through hands-on experiences. The low child-to-teacher ratio ensures that each child receives personalized attention, fostering deeper relationships and collaborative learning opportunities. The curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to promote creativity through art, music, language, and cooking, allowing children to express themselves in a supportive atmosphere. Additionally, the school features facilities that encourage physical activity, including an outdoor playground and spacious indoor areas for large-muscle play. Staffed by experienced educators like Destiny and Beth, who bring a wealth of knowledge in early childhood development and child psychology, Edina Morningside Preschool is committed to loving and nurturing the whole child"”supporting their social-emotional growth as well as cognitive skills at every developmental stage. This unique blend of individualized attention, creative exploration, and strong family partnerships makes Edina Morningside Preschool an exceptional choice for families seeking a comprehensive early education experience.

• Preschool
• Private school

Edina Virtual Pathway grew out of requests from Edina Public Schools students and families for a full-time digital option with the same rigor as our in-person programs. Today we are a tuition-free, full-time online public high school for grades 9 to 12, open to any Minnesota resident, and our graduates earn the same Edina Public Schools diploma as in-person Edina High School students and walk at the district commencement. Courses run asynchronously with optional live, teacher-led sessions, and our core-area courses are NCAA approved. Students typically carry six sections and need 43 semester credits to graduate, and juniors and seniors (and some sophomores) can earn college credit at no cost through PSEO. Every student is paired with an advisor, and our team includes a counselor, a social worker, a special education teacher and an English language learner teacher. Books, materials and a Chromebook are provided free. Our students are full members of the Edina Hornets community. They can join after-school clubs, robotics, theater and Edina's athletic teams, attend Edina High School dances, and appear in the Edina High School yearbook.

• Public online high school
• Full-time online learning
• NCAA-approved core courses
• Flexible scheduling

South View Middle School serves about 1,038 students in grades 6 to 8 as one of two middle schools in Edina Public Schools. Our teachers work in teams, and students pair rigorous core academics with content-area exploratory courses and real choice in what they study. The eight-period schedule rotates on A, B and C days and includes daily Advisory and Flex Time. Advisors run regular academic checks, goal setting and social and emotional learning. During Flex, students pick re-teaching, extension or enrichment sessions, or join STREAM, an optional inquiry project in science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math guided by mentors such as our library media specialist and gifted and talented coordinator. Our special education staff includes teachers and paraprofessionals serving students with autism and emotional or behavioral disabilities, along with a school psychologist, counselors and a district occupational therapist. After school, students join robotics, theater, sports and other activities.

• Public middle school
• Autism
• Emotional/behavioral support
• Team teaching