Top 9 Best Special Needs Schools in St Paul, Minnesota (2026)

Avalon School in St. Paul has built its charter-school program around projects since 2001. Students choose questions they care about, plan the work, and share what they make or learn. One student project followed the steps toward a pilot’s license; another used a Minecraft world to design an online prom, while a Shakespeare project connected plays with visual art. These examples show how students can meet academic goals through sustained work that has a clear result and an audience. Avalon pairs project-based learning with community engagement and asks students to take responsibility for their education. Families can review program options, enrollment information, school policies, and the calendar before visiting. The school also publishes project materials and showcases so students and parents can see the process from an initial idea to a finished presentation. Contact the school to ask about a visit or an application.

• Charter school

Bridge View School is a specialized educational institution dedicated to serving students with severe and profound low-incident developmental disabilities from Pre-K through 12th grade. The school's core mission is to provide a meaningful and individualized educational experience tailored to the unique learning needs of each student, ensuring they are prepared for successful transitions into adulthood. Key offerings at Bridge View School include a range of specialized programs and therapeutic methodologies designed to support the holistic development of students. These include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills groups. The school emphasizes individualized education plans (IEPs) that cater to the specific cognitive and developmental needs of each child, fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and socially. What sets Bridge View School apart is its highly trained and dedicated staff, who maintain a low student-teacher ratio to ensure personalized attention and support. The campus is equipped with specialized technology and resources that enhance learning experiences, alongside vocational training opportunities that prepare students for future employment. Additionally, the school offers summer programs and community integration activities, promoting social engagement and life skills development in a supportive environment.

• Special education school
• Private school

The Career and Life Transition Program (CLT) is Mounds View Public Schools' community-based program for young adults with disabilities ages 18 to 21 who are still working toward IEP goals in independent living, postsecondary education and training, and employment. Our courses teach and assess skills through hands-on, real-world activities matched to each student's goals. All CLT students take part in work-based learning, which can include paid work experience, volunteer service, job shadowing, worksite visits, and career planning. Through Business Education Partnerships, our staff provide on-site training at local businesses and can accompany students to work when needed. Students also learn to travel the Twin Cities on Metro Transit buses and light rail. Our team includes teachers, paraeducators, work coordinators, social workers, a dean, and a coordinator. District special education services also include occupational and physical therapy, speech-language services, school psychologists, and licensed school nurses as written into each student's IEP.

• Public special education transition program (ages 18-21)
• Transition support
• Community-based instruction
• Work-based learning

Journeys Secondary School is a small Saint Paul Public Schools high school for students in grades 9 to 12 with emotional or behavioral disabilities. We give students a structured place to learn skills and build confidence, and goal-setting, decision-making and conflict resolution are part of daily work. Mornings are for core academics. Afternoons are for enrichment electives, career exploration and job training, so students practice job-related skills before they leave high school and often find an interest that carries into adulthood. Our staff includes social workers, counselors and therapists who meet with students individually and in small groups. Our Community Based Transition Program gives students two paths to graduation. We build the school around four values: independence, generosity, belonging and mastery. We are also a Title I school.

• Public special education high school
• Emotional/behavioral support
• Small school setting
• Career and job training

Minnesota Connections Academy has offered tuition-free online public school since 2005. We serve students in grades K to 12 statewide, from the Twin Cities to Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud and the Iron Range, as a state-approved online program of Minnesota Transitions Charter School, operated under contract with Connections Academy of Minnesota, LLC. Our school office is in St. Paul. Minnesota-certified teachers trained in online instruction teach a state-aligned curriculum that mixes teacher-led and self-guided lessons, while a parent or other adult serves as each child's Learning Coach. Elementary students spend about 40% of the day on the computer and the rest working offline, and high schoolers work mostly online. Families cover school supplies, optional field trips and, in some cases, a computer and internet connection. Students with IEPs receive consultation, curriculum accommodations and modifications, direct instruction and related services set by the IEP team. We also offer gifted and talented, honors and Advanced Placement courses, a dual-credit program, credit recovery, ACT prep and NCAA-approved courses. Clubs, Connections eSports, National Honor Society, field trips around Minnesota and an in-person prom and graduation bring students together.

• Online public charter school (K-12)
• Gifted and talented
• Online learning
• Flexible scheduling

Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District is dedicated to providing specialized educational services for students with diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities. The district's core mission is to foster an inclusive environment that promotes academic achievement, personal growth, and social development for all students, particularly those requiring additional support. Key offerings include a range of specialized programs such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for behavioral support, Orton-Gillingham for literacy development, and comprehensive speech and language therapy. Additionally, the district provides occupational therapy, social skills groups, and mental health resources to ensure holistic development. The educational services extend to alternative schools, career and technical education, and care and treatment programs tailored to meet the unique needs of each student. What sets Northeast Metro 916 apart is its commitment to individualized education plans, ensuring low student-teacher ratios that facilitate personalized attention. The district features innovative facilities equipped with specialized technology to enhance learning experiences. Vocational training opportunities and summer programs further support community integration and skill development, preparing students for successful transitions into adulthood.

• Special education school
• ADHD
• Autism
• Disabilities

Prodeo Academy's St. Paul campus on Rose Avenue West is a tuition-free public charter school serving Pre-K through 8th grade, open to any family in Minnesota with no application fee. Prodeo means "to advance" in Latin, and our P.R.I.D.E. values of perseverance, respect, integrity, development and engagement shape daily life on campus. We teach Eureka Math in small groups after a short whole-class lesson, so teachers can step in or extend learning in the moment. Literacy combines a daily read-aloud, Wilson Fundations phonics, guided reading and Wit & Wisdom, and science and social studies start in kindergarten. Classrooms use the Responsive Classroom approach. Pre-K is open to children who turn four by September 1. After school, St. Paul students can join ACES, a mentoring program that pairs them with student-athletes, and Prodeo middle schoolers compete in the Minnesota Charter Schools Athletic Association in basketball and flag football. Students who live within our transportation boundary receive bus service.

• Public charter school (Pre-K to 8)
• College preparatory
• Small-group instruction
• Responsive Classroom

Sejong Academy is a tuition-free Korean immersion charter school dedicated to fostering global citizens through an innovative educational approach. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 10, the academy specializes in providing a rich learning environment for children with diverse backgrounds, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The school's core mission emphasizes cultural awareness, critical thinking, and academic excellence through its immersive Korean language program. With an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School designation, Sejong Academy offers a Middle Years Program that aligns with its commitment to high-quality international education. Unique to Sejong Academy is its low student-teacher ratio, which facilitates personalized attention and support for each child. The school also prioritizes strong partnerships with families and engages the community through various events, including annual trips to South Korea that immerse students in the culture they study. This holistic approach ensures that students not only excel academically but also develop a deep appreciation for cultural diversity and global citizenship.

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

Twin Cities German Immersion School (TCGIS) is a K-8 public charter school located in St. Paul, Minnesota, dedicated to providing innovative education through German immersion. As the largest German immersion school in North America, TCGIS serves a diverse student body, including those with language-based learning disabilities and other unique educational needs. The school's core mission is to foster a holistic learning environment where students not only meet academic targets but also develop language skills through immersive content delivery in German. TCGIS employs specialized programs and therapeutic methodologies tailored to support each child's learning journey, ensuring that both English-speaking students and those from non-English backgrounds receive the necessary assistance to thrive. The school's commitment to individualized support is complemented by its strong family partnerships, creating a nurturing community where parents are actively engaged in their children's education. What sets TCGIS apart is its low student-teacher ratio, which allows for personalized attention and fosters meaningful relationships between educators and students. Additionally, the school's unique cultural events and community engagement initiatives enrich the educational experience, making it a welcoming place for families seeking a supportive and inclusive environment for their children.

• Middle school
• Learning differences
• Public school