2026 lists
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Cook County, IL. Top 24 of 24 schools.
#1 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Smaller classes than 88% of special education schools in Illinois
Arlington Heights, IL
#2 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Ungraded
The only special education school in Park Ridge
Park Ridge, IL
#3 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 95% of special education schools in Illinois
Arlington Heights, IL
#4 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades K–8
The only special education school in Blue Island
Blue Island, IL
#5 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 9–12
The largest special education school in Chicago
Chicago, IL
#6 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 5–12
Smaller classes than 92% of special education schools in Illinois
Melrose Park, IL
#7 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 78% of special education schools in Illinois
Hoffman Estates, IL
#8 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades K–12
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Tinley Park, IL
#9 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 8–12
The only special education school in Des Plaines
Des Plaines, IL
#10 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 2–12
Smaller classes than 67% of special education schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
#11 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 4–12
Smaller classes than 80% of special education schools in Illinois
Chicago, IL
#12 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades K–12
Growing: enrollment up 22% since 2013–14
Chicago, IL
#13 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 2–8
Smaller classes than 71% of special education schools nationwide
Chicago, IL
#14 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 1–12
The only special education school in Palatine
Palatine, IL
#15 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 2–8
Growing: enrollment up 55% since 2011–12
Chicago, IL
#16 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades K–12
The only special education school in La Grange
La Grange, IL
#17 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 4–12
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Chicago, IL
#18 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 5–12
The only special education school in Burr Ridge
Burr Ridge, IL
#19 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 5–12
Serving families in Chicago since at least 2011
Chicago, IL
#20 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 4–12
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Chicago, IL
#21 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 3–12
Growing: enrollment up 94% since 2011–12
Chicago, IL
#22 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 1–12
One of the 3 largest special education schools in Illinois
Northbrook, IL
#23 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades K–12
The largest of 80 special education schools in Illinois
Bartlett, IL
#24 Best Special Education Schools in Cook County, IL
Special education school · Grades 1–12
The only special education school in Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn, IL
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.