#25 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Redwood Day School
Special education school · Grades 2–8
Smaller classes than 71% of special education schools nationwide
Chicago, IL
A-Overall grade31 students4 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
The highest-graded schools of this kind in Illinois. Top 50 of 56 schools.
#26 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Coordinated Youth & Human Services
Special education school · Grades 2–12
The only special education school in Granite City
Granite City, IL
A-Overall grade54 students5 students per teacher
#27 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
South Campus
Special education school · Grades 1–12
The only special education school in Palatine
Palatine, IL
A-Overall grade90 students9 students per teacher
#28 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Hammitt Junior Senior High School
Special education school · Grade 6
Smaller classes than 87% of special education schools nationwide
Normal, IL
A-Overall grade60 students3 students per teacher
#29 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Safe Haven School
Special education school · Grades 6–12
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Lake Bluff, IL
A-Overall grade37 students6 students per teacher
#30 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Hyde Park Day School
Special education school · Grades 2–8
Growing: enrollment up 55% since 2011–12
Chicago, IL
A-Overall grade62 students5 students per teacher
#31 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
William M Bedell Area Resource Center
Special education school · Grades Pre-K–12
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Wood River, IL
A-Overall grade42 students6 students per teacher
#32 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Helping Hand School
Special education school · Grades K–12
The only special education school in La Grange
La Grange, IL
A-Overall grade68 students8 students per teacher
#33 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Pactt Learning Center
Special education school · Grades 4–12
Small classes: about 6 students per teacher
Chicago, IL
B+Overall grade30 students6 students per teacher
#34 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Acacia Academy
Special education school · Grades 5–12
The only special education school in Burr Ridge
Burr Ridge, IL
B+Overall grade85 students7 students per teacher
#35 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Care Day School
Special education school · Grades 7–12
Growing: enrollment up 47% since 2011–12
Lake Villa, IL
B+Overall gradeAll boys44 students7 students per teacher
#36 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Ucan Academy
Special education school · Grades 5–12
Serving families in Chicago since at least 2011
Chicago, IL
B+Overall grade67 students8 students per teacher
#37 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Lawrence Hall School
Special education school · Grades 4–12
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Chicago, IL
B+Overall grade45 students8 students per teacher
#38 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Circle Academy
Special education school · Grades 2–12
The only special education school in Urbana
Urbana, IL
B+Overall grade63 students9 students per teacher
#39 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
School of Expressive Arts and Learning (SEAL)
Special education school · Grades 2–12
The only special education school in Lombard
Lombard, IL
B+Overall grade95 students9 students per teacher
#40 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
High Road School of Peoria
Special education school · Grades 1–12
The only special education school in Peoria
Peoria, IL
B+Overall grade42 students8 students per teacher
#41 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Chaddock
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Growing: enrollment up 65% since 2011–12
Quincy, IL
B+Overall grade102 students7 students per teacher
#42 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
JTC Academy
Special education school · Grades 4–12
One of 2 special education schools in Centreville
Centreville, IL
B+Overall grade49 students10 students per teacher
#43 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Lighted Way Association
Special education school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only special education school in La Salle
La Salle, IL
B+Overall grade50 students8 students per teacher
#44 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Esperanza Therapeutic School
Special education school · Grades 3–12
Growing: enrollment up 94% since 2011–12
Chicago, IL
B+Overall grade64 students11 students per teacher
#45 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
JTC Academy West
Special education school · Grades 4–12
One of 2 special education schools in Centreville
Centreville, IL
B+Overall grade49 students10 students per teacher
#46 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Cove School
Special education school · Grades 1–12
One of the 3 largest special education schools in Illinois
Northbrook, IL
B+Overall grade180 students5 students per teacher
#47 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Little Friends School Programs
Special education school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only special education school in Warrenville
Warrenville, IL
BOverall grade114 students8 students per teacher
#48 Best Special Education Schools in Illinois
Illinois Center for Autism
Special education school · Ungraded
Growing: enrollment up 212% since 2019–20
Fairview Heights, IL
BOverall grade125 students8 students per teacher
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.