Best Special Needs Schools in Lancaster, Ohio (2026)

New Story Schools Lancaster (formerly Haugland Learning Center) is a specialized educational institution dedicated to providing tailored academic and therapeutic support for students aged 5-21 facing autism spectrum disorder, emotional/behavioral challenges, and social-emotional difficulties. Established in 2004, the school serves 27 students with a remarkable 4:1 student-teacher ratio in small class sizes. IMPORTANT RELOCATION NOTICE: The Lancaster campus at 625 Garfield Ave will be relocating to a newly renovated facility at 1421 N Court St, Circleville, OH for the 2025-2026 school year. The new purpose-built facility features an indoor gymnasium, multiple cool-down rooms, dedicated lobby, 15 classrooms, and three-acre outdoor activity space. New Story Schools is chartered by the Ohio State Board of Education and provides multiple pathways to earning an accredited Ohio High School Diploma. Services include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, trauma-informed approaches, and comprehensive assessments (VB-MAPP, ABLLS). The school's holistic approach integrates behavioral and therapeutic services with academic instruction, offering autism support programs, emotional support programs, transition services, and extended school year options to ensure every student can thrive.