Top 9 Best Special Needs Schools in Mason, Ohio (2026)

A group of parents founded Heritage Presbyterian Preschool in 1994 in two Sunday School classrooms. Since 2008 we have taught in purpose-built classrooms in the newer wing of Heritage Presbyterian Church in Mason, and we are licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. We use Creative Curriculum to weave early reading, math and social skills into play, and every class gets daily time on our large outdoor playground or in the church's full-size gymnasium. Classes stay small, with two teachers for every 12 to 14 children. Three-year-olds attend mornings three days a week, 4-year-olds choose three or four mornings, our Manatees multiage class for 3s and 4s meets three afternoons, and the Starfish Kindergarten Transition class meets five afternoons for children who are kindergarten age but not quite ready. Monthly tuition for 2026-27 runs from $250 to $300, and a one-hour extended session is offered three days a week. Each week children attend chapel and a music and movement class, and once a month they visit our in-house children's library for story time. The Cincinnati Zoo, Cincinnati Museum Center and Mason Fire Department bring programs into class.

• Presbyterian church preschool (ages 3 to 5)
• Christian preschool
• Play-based learning
• Small class sizes

Since 1984, Liberty Bible Academy has taught Cincinnati-area families on a 12-acre campus in Mason, in Deerfield Township. We are a private, nondenominational Christian school for preschool through grade 12, a member of the Association of Christian Schools International, and chartered by the Ohio Department of Education with state-licensed teachers. Preschool starts with our Three-Year-Old Program. Families pick a two-, three- or five-day week, with half days from 8:30 to 11:30 or full days from 8:30 to 3:30. Kindergarten meets five full days and begins the phonetic reading program that anchors our elementary grades. Core subjects use ACSI, Bob Jones and ABeka materials, and every student has art and P.E. each week, with Spanish, music and computer classes at all levels. High school runs eight 45-minute periods with college prep courses, online electives and Ohio College Credit Plus. Through a Liberty University partnership, qualified students can take college courses and even earn an associate's degree. Students attend Bible class daily and chapel each Friday, and join basketball, volleyball, the school musical, an annual mission week and an international mission trip every other year. We accept Ohio EdChoice scholarships.

• Christian school (PreK-12)
• Christian education
• Phonics-based reading
• College prep

Mason City Schools started its preschool in response to a 1992 federal mandate requiring districts to serve 3- to 5-year-olds with disabilities, and from the start we chose an integrated model. Each multi-age classroom at the Mason Early Childhood Center on Hickory Woods Drive blends children with identified special needs and typically developing peers. The curriculum follows Ohio's Early Learning and Development Standards. Each day mixes whole-group, small-group and individual instruction with center-based activities, time in a motor room and outdoor play, and classes are balanced by age span and gender. Preschool meets Monday through Thursday in either a morning session (9:20 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.) or an afternoon session (1:05 to 3:50 p.m.), assigned by home address. Children must be 3 and live in the district. Typically developing peers enter through an annual lottery and pay monthly tuition, and they must be toilet trained.

• Public integrated preschool
• Developmental delays
• Inclusion classrooms
• Multi-age classrooms

Mason High School is dedicated to serving students in grades 9 through 12, with a mission focused on providing a rigorous academic experience tailored to meet the diverse needs of all learners. The school fosters an inclusive environment that encourages students to engage in challenging coursework and extracurricular activities, promoting a strong sense of community and connection. Central to Mason High School's philosophy is the belief in building meaningful relationships, where students are supported in developing essential life skills alongside their academic pursuits. The school emphasizes Inclusive Excellence, ensuring that every student feels welcomed, valued, and seen. This commitment is exemplified through initiatives led by students themselves, including various heritage clubs and community projects that encourage social engagement. Personalized learning experiences are also a hallmark of Mason High School, with innovative programs like boat regattas designed to make learning relevant and engaging. What sets Mason High School apart is its low student-teacher ratio and strong partnerships with families, creating an environment where each student's unique needs are prioritized. Through active family involvement and community events, Mason High School cultivates a supportive atmosphere that empowers students to achieve their future goals while fostering a vibrant school culture.

• High school
• Private school

Connections Academy is a pioneering K-12 online public school dedicated to providing an inclusive and adaptive educational environment for students across the United States. With a mission to empower children to thrive academically and personally, the school caters to a diverse range of learners, including those with unique needs such as language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed by educational experts to engage students in meaningful ways, ensuring that they not only meet educational standards but also develop essential life skills. What sets Connections Academy apart is its commitment to personalized education; certified teachers offer individualized support tailored to each student's strengths and challenges. This approach fosters a nurturing atmosphere where students can pursue their passions while receiving the attention they need to succeed. Additionally, the school emphasizes strong partnerships with families, encouraging parents to take on the role of Learning Coach, which enhances engagement in their child's educational journey. Connections Academy also prioritizes socialization opportunities through virtual class discussions, group work, and extracurricular clubs that allow students to connect with peers who share similar interests. With a low student-teacher ratio and a focus on community-building events, this online school creates a supportive network that helps children flourish both academically and socially.

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

Prescolaire Early Learning Academy is dedicated to nurturing young minds through a thoughtfully designed curriculum that integrates digital literacy and robotics, catering to children from infancy through pre-kindergarten. This innovative approach not only enhances foundational skills in math, science, and literacy but also fosters critical thinking and social development essential for success in the 21st century. The academy recognizes the innate curiosity of young learners and aims to harness this potential by providing engaging, hands-on experiences tailored to each developmental stage. From the infant program that encourages exploration through touch and experimentation to the pre-kindergarten curriculum that introduces early coding concepts, every aspect is crafted to prepare children for future academic challenges. The low student-teacher ratio ensures personalized attention, while strong family partnerships foster a supportive community atmosphere. Unique offerings such as structured after-school programs and dynamic summer camps further enrich the educational experience, making Prescolaire Early Learning Academy a standout choice for parents seeking a comprehensive and forward-thinking environment for their children.

• Preschool

Schaefer Education Solutions is a dedicated agency focused on providing specialized educational services to individuals with special needs, ranging from ages 2 to 22. The school’s core mission is to empower students with diverse diagnoses, including language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners, through tailored educational programming. Schaefer offers a comprehensive suite of services, including one-on-one in-home instruction, clinic-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and therapeutic support such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. The approach emphasizes individualized care, with a team composed of licensed intervention specialists, board-certified behavior analysts, and various therapists working collaboratively to create customized learning plans that address each child's unique strengths and challenges. What sets Schaefer apart is its commitment to low student-to-teacher ratios and strong partnerships with families, ensuring that parents are actively involved in their child's educational journey. Additionally, the school provides specialized facilities designed to foster growth and development while also offering community outings and social skills training that enrich the learning experience. With its focus on holistic education and support, Schaefer Education Solutions stands as a beacon of hope for families seeking a nurturing environment for their children’s growth and success.

• Education center
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school

Our Western Row Campus in Mason is one of the Warren County Educational Service Center's specialized program sites, serving students whose IEPs call for more intensive support. We work with local school districts and communities to build programming for the students they place with us. The Social Communication Program serves students with autism who have the most intense needs. Each classroom has a teacher and up to three educational assistants working one-to-one and in small groups, with speech, occupational and physical therapy delivered as each IEP specifies. Our School Age Multiple Disabilities classrooms serve students from kindergarten through transition age, with a teacher and at least two educational assistants per class and nursing, speech-language, physical and occupational therapy as needed. Behind the classrooms, our Collaborative Coaching Department includes ten Board Certified Behavior Analysts and twelve behavior interventionists who support ESC programs and area districts. Project Warren County, our transition-based initiative, and a Transition Living Classroom prepare older students for life after school.

• Public special education program (educational service center)
• Autism
• Multiple disabilities
• Small group instruction

Warren County Educational Service Center's Western Row Campus in Mason houses several of our specialized programs for students whose needs go beyond what their home district classrooms provide. Our campus director is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and our Collaborative Coaching Department, with ten BCBAs and twelve Behavior Interventionists, supports districts and ESC programs across Warren and Butler counties. Our Social Communication Program serves children with autism who have the most intense needs, with a classroom teacher and up to three educational assistants in each room for one-to-one and small group instruction. School Age Multiple Disabilities classrooms serve students from kindergarten through transition age, each with a teacher and at least two educational assistants. Speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and nursing follow each student's IEP. Western Row also hosts classrooms of the Warren County Learning Center, which serves students with severe emotional disabilities or intense mental health needs. The Learning Center emphasizes mental health, emotional regulation, behavior coaching, and mindfulness, and its goal is a successful return to the student's home school.

• Public educational service center special education campus
• Autism
• Multiple disabilities
• Emotional/behavioral support