Best Special Needs Schools in Jordan, Minnesota (2026)

River Valley Education Center in Jordan is a special education site of SouthWest Metro Intermediate District 288, which runs level 3 and 4 programs on behalf of its member school districts. Students attend through a referral from their SWMetro member district. We house four programs. RISE serves students in grades K to 8 with significant disabilities who qualify under Developmental Cognitive Disability, Autism Spectrum Disability, or Severely Multiply Impaired categories, in a highly structured, individualized setting with a high staff-to-student ratio. Stepping Stones (grades K to 5) and Ascent (grades 6 to 8) serve students facing school avoidance, anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges, with small group classes, a modified curriculum, emotional and social skills groups, and a token economy. FOCUS serves students in grades 6 to 8 who need a highly structured program. Some work on life skills with functional academics, others continue grade-level academics, and every student works on the social-emotional skills that affect learning, friendships, and emotional regulation.

• Public special education day program (K-8)
• Autism
• Developmental cognitive disabilities
• Severe multiple impairments