Best Special Needs Schools in Golden Valley, Minnesota (2026)

Franklin Center is a pioneering educational institution dedicated to serving students on the autism spectrum and those with related neurodiversities. With a mission to unlock potential and transform lives, Franklin Center provides a holistic approach to education and therapy, ensuring that each child receives the tailored support they need to thrive. Key offerings at Franklin Center include: - **K-12 Education**: A fully licensed school that delivers personalized accommodations for neurodiverse students, fostering an inclusive learning environment. - **Behavioral and Mental Health Therapy**: Comprehensive therapy services that focus on the intersection of behavioral and mental health, utilizing evidence-based practices to support emotional well-being. - **Social Skills Development**: Engaging extracurricular experiences designed to help students build friendships, create connections, and enhance social skills. - **Summer Camps**: Calm and supportive summer programs tailored for neurodiverse or sensory-sensitive students, allowing them to maintain learning while having fun and making friends. - **Post-Secondary Life Skills Program**: A robust curriculum aimed at preparing neurodiverse young adults for independent living, focusing on essential life skills and confidence-building. What sets Franklin Center apart is its commitment to a collaborative and innovative educational model. The school boasts a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention and support. The campus environment is designed to be sensory-friendly, equipped with specialized technology to enhance learning experiences. Additionally, Franklin Center emphasizes community integration and vocational training, preparing students for successful transitions into adulthood.

• Special education school
• Autism
• related neurodiversities
• Private school

VirtualEDU is Hopkins Public Schools' fully online and blended learning school for grades 6 to 12. Families choose either a fully online program or a blended model that pairs online courses with in-person learning at Hopkins East in Golden Valley, where our school office is located. Each student follows a personalized learning path and works with teachers to choose between live virtual sessions and self-paced work, building time-management and goal-setting skills along the way. Project Based Learning runs through every grade, with real-world projects focused on positive social change. Specials include music, Spanish, physical education, and health, and in-person opportunities give students time to connect face to face. We use restorative practices in both our online and in-person settings to build community, respond to conflict, and grow student leadership, and we hold monthly information sessions for families considering VirtualEDU.

• Public online and blended school (6-12)
• Online learning
• Blended learning
• Project Based Learning