Top 10 Best Special Needs Schools in Dallas, Texas (2026)

A+ Charter Schools is dedicated to nurturing students with integrity and a strong sense of potential, serving a diverse student body. The school's mission is to create a dynamic and innovative learning environment that empowers each student to achieve their highest goals through a holistic educational approach. This includes a blend of rigorous academics, character development, creativity, and critical thinking, supported by advanced coursework and personalized assistance tailored to individual needs. A+ Charter Schools stands out with its commitment to inclusivity, fostering a welcoming atmosphere where every student feels valued. The school prides itself on maintaining low student-to-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention, and promoting strong partnerships with families. Additionally, A+ Charter Schools offers specialized facilities and unique community events that enhance the educational experience, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a supportive and enriching environment for their children.

High school
Learning differences
Section 504 plans
Special Education (SPED) services

Autism Treatment Center - Dallas

Dallas, TXAges 3+3:1 ratio

The Autism Treatment Center (ATC) in Dallas, Texas, is an accredited private day school and comprehensive therapy organization dedicated to empowering individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental differences. Operating since 1976, ATC Dallas delivers individualized educational curricula grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodologies, functional communication, and life-skills mastery. Certified special education teachers and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) work with students in low student-to-staff ratios (3:1 or 1:1 as needed) to build functional academics, self-help autonomy, social reciprocity, and positive behavioral regulation. On-site multidisciplinary clinics provide integrated speech-language, occupational, and physical therapies alongside adult vocational training programs.

private
Autism
Severe Communication Deficits
Behavioral Challenges

This morning we celebrated the induction of our new National Honor Society students and recognized the hard work dedication and character that earned them this honor
We are so proud of our NHS students and look forward t

Dallas Academy

Dallas, TXGrades 1-126:1 ratio

Some of the brightest kids quietly slip through the cracks in a traditional classroom. We built Dallas Academy for them. From grades 1 through 12, we teach students with diagnosed learning differences, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADD and ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and memory and processing challenges, in a place where learning differently is simply the norm. Our teaching is structured, multisensory, and evidence-based, delivered in small classes that cap at 10 in the lower school and never exceed 12 in middle and high school, with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Our college-preparatory curriculum meets and exceeds Texas requirements, and a full fine arts program with music therapy, performing arts, and visual arts gives every student a place to shine. We are accredited by Cognia. We also teach the whole child. A school-wide social and emotional learning program, executive-function coaching, an on-site counselor, social skills groups, a speech-language therapist, and a board-certified music therapist all work together so our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally, and graduate ready for college and career.

Special education school
Learning differences
Dyslexia
Dysgraphia support

Fairhill School

Dallas, TXGrades 1-12

Fairhill School in North Dallas teaches students in grades one through twelve who have learning differences. We combine college-preparatory academics with explicit, multisensory instruction, including structured literacy and hands-on mathematics. Teachers work in small classes and track progress so students can build skills and learn to advocate for themselves. Executive function and organization are part of middle-school work; high-school students prepare for college with counseling, applications, and transition planning. Fairhill has served Dallas-area families since 1971. Parents can visit to discuss a student’s learning profile, the admissions process, and the support available in each grade.

Preparatory school
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Auditory Processing Disorder
Dyscalculia

Fusion Academy - Dallas

Dallas, TXAges 11-181:1 ratio

At Fusion Academy Dallas, we offer an accredited middle and high school with one student and one teacher in each one-to-one class. Students can attend these classes in person or virtually; virtual small groups have two to five students. Self-directed digital learning is also available. Full-time students take part in our Homework Café, clubs and campus activities. Part-time options include classes for credit, tutoring and mentoring, and college or postsecondary counseling. Our Dallas location does not offer test preparation. Families receive instructor progress reports each school day, and schedules can be customized. We accept Texas Education Freedom Account scholarships toward part of tuition.

private
ADHD
Dyslexia
Twice-exceptional

Highland Park High School students gather outside the Dallas campus

Highland Park High School - Special Education (HPISD)

Highland Park High School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive educational environment that prepares students for both college and career success. Serving a diverse student body, the school focuses on empowering individuals with various learning needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The school's core mission emphasizes academic excellence, community involvement, and personal growth, as evidenced by the impressive statistic that 96% of graduates continue their education at institutions of higher learning. Highland Park High School employs a multifaceted approach to education that integrates rigorous academic programs with essential therapeutic methodologies. This holistic framework ensures that each student receives personalized support tailored to their unique challenges and strengths. The school also promotes active community engagement, with the Class of 2021 contributing over 63,000 hours of service, underscoring its commitment to developing socially responsible citizens. What sets Highland Park High School apart is not only its low student-teacher ratio but also its strong partnerships with families and specialized facilities designed to support diverse learning needs. The school’s dedication to nurturing talent is reflected in its numerous accolades, including National Merit Semifinalists and state championships in various extracurricular activities. Through unique community events and a supportive atmosphere, Highland Park High School stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for students on their educational journeys.

Public educational institution
Comprehensive disability support
Dyslexia
Related services

Hope Academy For Dyslexia

Hope Academy for Dyslexia is a specialized educational institution dedicated to empowering students with dyslexia by equipping them with essential skills for academic success and personal growth. The academy's core mission is to foster confidence and enhance reading abilities, enabling students to thrive both within the classroom and beyond. Key offerings at Hope Academy include a comprehensive curriculum tailored to meet the unique needs of students with dyslexia. The school employs evidence-based methodologies such as the Orton-Gillingham approach, which focuses on structured literacy, and incorporates speech and language therapy to support communication skills. Additionally, occupational therapy is available to assist with fine motor skills and sensory integration, while social skills groups provide essential peer interaction and relationship-building opportunities. The academy operates on a 4-day school week (Monday - Thursday) for the 2024-2025 school year, allowing for an intensive learning environment. What sets Hope Academy apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention and support for each child. The campus is designed to create a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere, equipped with specialized technology to enhance learning experiences. Furthermore, the academy offers vocational training and summer programs, promoting community integration and preparing students for future success.

Special education school
Dyslexia
Reading disabilities
Nonprofit

Notre Dame School of Dallas

Dallas, TXAges 6-22

Notre Dame School of Dallas has taught students with developmental disabilities since the School Sisters of Notre Dame founded it in 1963. We serve ages six through twenty-two, grouping students by age while teaching at each child’s functioning level. Reading, math, science, social studies, and language arts sit alongside music, physical education, computers, and religion. In the upper school, students practice independent living, job skills, and career exploration. Our classes generally have ten students and two teachers, and community volunteers work with students in classrooms. Catholic students can take part in sacramental preparation when appropriate. The school is private and admits by application; it currently reports that the 2026–27 school year is full. Families can review the admissions criteria before considering a future application.

Private special education school
Developmental disabilities
Intellectual disability
Private school

Nova Charter School

Reading recognition, arts presentations and the Martin Luther King Jr. parade give Nova Academy students ways to participate in academic and community activities. We bring families, teachers and community partners into children's learning within our multicultural school environment, with academic achievement and parents' educational partnership central to our work. Special education resources cover evaluation, referral and Child Find, including the processes through which families begin educational planning. Admission, Review and Dismissal committee and Individualized Education Program information helps parents understand that planning. We also share consent, prior written notice and procedural safeguards information, with safeguards available in English and Spanish. Transition guidance and SPEDTex provide connections to state resources. Dyslexia resources sit alongside our special education information in the special programs provision. At our Dallas campus at 2800 Prichard Lane, parents can find enrollment and staff resources, school calendars and meal information to organize the school year. Parents participate as educational partners, with school calendars and meal information available alongside enrollment and staff resources.

School
Dyslexia
IEPs
Learning differences

Oak Hill Academy

Dallas, TXAges 3-195:1 ratio

Oak Hill Academy in Dallas teaches students with learning differences through individualized, multisensory instruction. Our high school campus serves grades 9–12 and includes practical learning spaces such as a kitchen and laundry area, where students can work on everyday skills. High school students follow either the Foundation or Modified track, including transition and life-skills learning.

Special education school
ADHD
Autism
Developmental delays

Other Special Needs Schools in Dallas

Pegasus School of Liberal Arts & Sciences - K-12 Campus

Required federal/Texas compliance

Grades K-12

Pegasus School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, located in the heart of Downtown Dallas, is a K-12 public charter school dedicated to providing a comprehensive education that prepares students for meaningful lives in an increasingly complex world. Serving a diverse student body, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners, the school emphasizes individualized attention through a low student-teacher ratio of 15:1. The curriculum integrates fine arts and music across all grade levels, fostering creativity and self-expression while also preparing students for college through specialized programs like dual credit classes and college prep courses. Unique to Pegasus is its commitment to experiential learning, offering regular field trips that enhance classroom knowledge with real-world experiences. With a strong focus on community values and ethical behavior, Pegasus School stands out as a nurturing environment where students are equipped with the skills necessary for academic success and personal growth.

Special Education (SPED) services

SPED accommodations

Students with disabilities

Career and technical education

Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy North Dallas (PTAA)

PTAA North Dallas is the flagship campus of Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy, a free, open-enrollment public charter school with seven campuses across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We teach kindergarten through 12th grade with science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math woven into hands-on, project-based learning. Every student can use Alpha1, our AI tutor, for adaptive support in class and at home. Our college-preparatory curriculum emphasizes engineering and information technology, and students study Spanish and Mandarin Chinese over seven years, with a foreign exchange program connecting them to peers in China, India, and Brazil. Through P-TECH and community college partnerships, high school students can earn college credit and industry credentials, and career pathways run from EMT to engineering. Our special education program follows the Texas ARD process for students with disabilities, and families have access to Texas dyslexia resources. Students eat through our child nutrition program, and campus traditions include the fall festival, science fair, and spring concert.

Seagoville High School

Seagoville High School is the Dallas ISD high school for grades 9 to 12 on Seagoville Road, home of the Dragons. Through Seagoville P-TECH, our partnership with Dallas College Eastfield, students can earn a high school diploma plus up to 60 tuition-free college credit hours or an Associate of Applied Science degree in four years. Students also choose from AVID, JROTC, DECA, debate, Academic Decathlon, and career paths in animal science and welding, with an FFA chapter for students interested in agriculture. Arts groups include band and dance and drill, and clubs range from chess and esports to Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Destination Imagination. Our athletes compete in football, baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, track, cross country, golf, swimming, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, and cheer. Counselors certified by the state of Texas help with scheduling, college and career planning, and personal concerns, and a school mental health specialist on campus offers counseling and crisis support. Dallas ISD provides bus routes for our students.

Early college (P-TECH)

Public school

Segue Center

Ages 18-22

The Segue Center is dedicated to empowering neurodivergent young adults, focusing on those with ADHD, Autism, AuDHD, OCD, anxiety, and other related challenges. Serving individuals in their transition to independence, the center provides essential support in academic, professional, home, and social spheres. Its mission centers around fostering confidence and life skills through tailored programming that includes small group sessions aimed at enhancing executive function and social skills. The approach emphasizes peer interaction and mutual support among participants, allowing them to share strategies and interests in a safe environment. Unique offerings such as personalized coaching for independent living and career development complement group activities. With a commitment to creating meaningful connections, the Segue Center also organizes social events and specialized programs like the College Connection Camp and Segue Getaways that offer immersive experiences to practice independence in real-world settings. The center stands out for its low student-to-teacher ratio and strong family partnerships, ensuring each young adult receives individualized attention while building a supportive community.

Shelton School

Bright kids who learn differently don't need a watered-down education. They need teaching built for how their minds actually work. That is what we have done at Shelton since 1976, growing into the largest independent school in the country for students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. Around 1,000 students, from age three through twelfth grade, learn on our 30-acre campus in Dallas. Our classrooms hold a 6:1 average student-to-teacher ratio so instruction can be shaped around each learner, and every student in grades 5 through 12 works with a one-to-one laptop. Our faculty are specialists in learning differences, and we stay focused on building real academic skills alongside the confidence and self-advocacy our students carry into college and beyond. Support here reaches past the classroom. Our on-campus Evaluation Center provides comprehensive assessments from preschool through adulthood, our Speech and Language Therapy program offers individual and group sessions, and our Saturday and summer programs open Shelton's methods to learners from the wider community.

The Ashford Rise School of Dallas

Children with and without disabilities

Ages 2-5

The Ashford Rise School of Dallas, a distinguished program of the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas located within the Moody Family YMCA, is dedicated to providing exceptional early education services for children aged six months to six years, including those with and without disabilities. The school's core mission centers on fostering a nurturing environment that promotes both educational and social development during critical formative years. With a team of master's level educators and on-site specialists in speech, occupational, physical, and music therapy, Ashford Rise ensures that each child's unique needs are met through a personalized approach to learning. This commitment to individualized care creates a supportive atmosphere where children can thrive. What truly sets Ashford Rise apart is its low student-teacher ratio, which allows for meaningful interactions and strong partnerships with families. The school also features specialized facilities designed to enhance learning experiences and hosts unique community events that further engage families and promote inclusivity.

Developmental delays

Early childhood disabilities

Early Intervention

The Hockaday School

Educational accommodation plans

1079 students

The Hockaday School, established in 1913 in Dallas, Texas, is a distinguished independent college preparatory school dedicated to empowering girls from pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The school's core mission is to nurture resilient and confident young women who are prepared to take on leadership roles in an ever-evolving world. Hockaday serves a diverse student body, welcoming girls of various backgrounds and abilities, including those with language-based learning disabilities and other unique needs. Hockaday's educational approach is anchored in its Four Cornerstones: Character, Courtesy, Scholarship, and Athletics. These principles guide the school's robust academic programs and therapeutic methodologies that emphasize personal growth alongside intellectual achievement. Students engage in a dynamic curriculum enriched by fine arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities that foster creativity and collaboration. The school's commitment to small class sizes ensures personalized attention from educators who are dedicated to cultivating each student's strengths. What sets Hockaday apart is its strong emphasis on community connection and family partnerships. The school hosts numerous traditions and events that build lasting friendships among students while bridging generations of alumnae. Its specialized facilities support a comprehensive educational experience that prioritizes both academic excellence and emotional well-being. By fostering an environment where girls can freely express themselves and explore their passions, Hockaday prepares them not just for academic success but for lives of purpose and impact.

Diagnosed disabilities

Speech therapy

Learning accommodations

The Winston School

The Winston School is a dedicated private institution in Dallas, designed specifically for bright students who learn differently, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. Its core mission is to empower students aged kindergarten through high school by providing a nurturing environment that fosters academic and social success. The school employs individualized learning strategies and therapeutic methodologies, such as the acclaimed Take Flight program, which enhances reading skills through tailored instruction and support. What sets The Winston School apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring that each child receives the attention they need to thrive. The faculty is not only highly trained but also deeply empathetic, creating a safe space where students can explore their interests and build confidence without the fear of failure. Strong family partnerships further enrich the educational experience, as parents are actively involved in their children's learning journey. Unique community events and specialized facilities also contribute to a vibrant school culture that celebrates each student's strengths and achievements.

Vanguard Preparatory School