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Best Special Needs Schools in Somerset, New Jersey (2026)

Compare 3 special needs schools in Somerset. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Somerset

1

Growing Seeds Learning Academy - Somerset

Listed
Somerset, NJGrades PreK-8

Growing Seeds Learning Academy Somerset North, on Elizabeth Avenue, is part of a family-owned group of New Jersey childcare centers using The Creative Curriculum, a research-based approach built on exploration and discovery. Our center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with full-time, part-time and drop-in care. Children move through named classrooms by age. Growing Dandelions (infants to 1) and Growing Sunflowers (1 to 2) use a primary caregiving approach, and Growing Lilies (2 to 3) begin letters, songs, colors and self-feeding. Growing Daisies, our Pre-K3, follows weekly themes with science, math, writing and dramatic play centers, and Growing Tulips (4 to 5) builds literacy, math and writing in a print-rich room. Teacher-to-child ratios run from 1:4 for infants to 1:10 for older children, and parents receive quarterly assessments and daily updates with photos. Our school-age program offers before and after care for kindergartners up to age 13, with homework help, games, fitness and arts and crafts, plus summer camp with field trips. We serve meals and snacks and accommodate allergies. Military families can use the Child Care Aware of America subsidy.

  • Childcare center and preschool (infants to age 13)
  • The Creative Curriculum
  • Infant and toddler care
  • STEAM activities
View details
2

New Road School of Somerset

Listed
Somerset, NJGrades 6-12 & up to 22

New Road School of Somerset opened in 1989 as the second campus of New Road Schools, starting in a modest schoolhouse on Cortelyou Lane with 60 students. We moved to our current Cottontail Lane building in 2006. Today we are a New Jersey Approved Private School for Students with Disabilities, serving students ages 11 to 21 who have learning, language and social challenges. Instruction follows each student's IEP and New Jersey curriculum standards, delivered in small classes with one-on-one, tutorial-based support. Math moves through a skills-application sequence with practical work like time management and personal finance, and students take every course required for a New Jersey diploma, including financial literacy and foreign language. Related services include speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, counseling and social skills training. Our transition program gives students real work experience. On campus they run culinary, production and computer recycling jobs. Off campus they work at sites like ShopRite and Nissan with a job coach, then progress to independent placements such as Outback Steakhouse. We also offer extended school year and video production.

  • Private special education day school (ages 11 to 21)
  • Learning differences
  • Speech therapy
  • Social challenges
View details
3

The Center School - Somerset

Listed
Somerset, NJ

The Center School is a specialized educational institution dedicated to empowering students with learning disabilities and complex educational challenges. Established in 1971, the school's core mission is to provide a nurturing environment where each child can thrive academically and socially, supported by highly trained staff who recognize and cultivate their individual strengths. The Center School offers a range of tailored programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of its students. Key offerings include individualized education plans (IEPs), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills groups. The school employs evidence-based methodologies such as the Orton-Gillingham approach for reading instruction and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques to support behavioral development. Additionally, students benefit from a variety of extracurricular activities that foster engagement and confidence, ensuring a holistic educational experience. What sets The Center School apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, allowing for personalized attention and support. The campus is equipped with advanced technology to prepare students for a digital world, and the school emphasizes community integration and vocational training to enhance life skills. With a focus on reducing anxiety and school avoidance, The Center School creates an environment where students can reach their fullest potential and develop a passion for learning.

  • Special education school
  • complex educational challenges
  • Learning differences
  • Accredited
View details

Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Somerset

Use these guides before you contact programs, schedule tours, or ask your IEP team how a proposed setting will support your child's goals.

NJ DDD Supports Program guide

Understand DDD budget tiers and out-of-district (APSSD) placement before contacting schools.

How to choose a special needs school

Prepare school-tour questions, compare supports and family communication, and record what each program can show you.

IEP process guide

Bring your IEP, progress evidence, and focused questions to conversations about evaluations, services, or placement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Somerset

What special needs school options do Somerset families usually compare?
Somerset is an unincorporated community within Franklin Township in Somerset County, where Franklin Township Public Schools manages child study team evaluations and the public special education continuum for most local addresses. This directory page lists Growing Seeds Learning Academy Somerset, New Road School of Somerset, and The Center School Somerset, which families often review alongside district options. Neighboring Bridgewater and North Brunswick each run separate teams, so a move across town lines changes who manages your IEP.
How do Franklin Township parents start a child study team evaluation?
Deliver a dated written referral to your child's principal and the Franklin Township special services office when you suspect a disability that may require specialized instruction. After you sign consent, the team evaluates in suspected areas before any eligibility decision. See the Franklin Township Special Education Services page for services, and NJDOE Parental Rights and Engagement for statewide safeguards.
How might a Somerset student attend private special education with district support?
New Jersey has no K-12 special-needs ESA or voucher, so parent tuition alone does not create a public funding obligation. If the IEP team agrees FAPE requires a private day placement, the district may fund tuition as part of an out-of-district program rather than a family-only choice. Bring progress data and prior intervention records to placement meetings so decisions rest on documented need. Do not treat NJASEPS Connections for Success as K-12 tuition funding; it serves graduates of member schools.
How can I compare specialized programs listed in Somerset?
Tour each setting on this page and ask the same questions at every stop: eligibility criteria, related services on site, staff credentials, and how progress is reported to families and the home district. Request clarity on class size, behavior supports, and whether the model is inclusive or self-contained. Compare Growing Seeds Learning Academy Somerset, New Road School of Somerset, and The Center School Somerset using one checklist before you accept or change placement.
What early childhood and school-age transition questions should Franklin Township families resolve?
Ask how preschool services connect to kindergarten IEPs and what documentation the district needs when families consider a private day placement. For older students, confirm how Franklin Township documents transition goals and community-based instruction. Pair district team guidance with SPAN Parent Advocacy Network if you want neutral coaching before annual review or reevaluation meetings.

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