Special education schools in the Detroit area offer parents more diverse options for their child living with a disability.
Some schools offer therapeutic approaches that prioritize the learning environment, while others might focus on talk therapy. For families looking for a religious school that will support their child’s diverse needs, there are options in metro Detroit.
To help families make informed choices, this list highlighting the special education schools in the Chicago area, uses a combination of publicly available data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau, along with community reviews, survey feedback, and academic performance indicators such as test scores and college readiness.
Read on for our guide to the best special education schools in the metro Detroit.
Featured special education schools in metro Detroit
In this section, Metro Parent’s advertising partners share their top school offerings.
Aim High School
- Address: 29230 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
- Phone: 248-702-6922
- Grades served: 6-12
- Number of students: 95
- Type: Private School, Special Education School
Aim High School is a private, tuition-based school for students in grades 6–12 that offers a supportive, small-scale alternative to large traditional schools. Designed for students with special social and learning needs, Aim High provides a safe, structured environment where academic focus, wellness and communication skills are nurtured.
With a college and work-ready curriculum, the school tailors learning to each student’s strengths and interests through individualized instruction and hands-on experiences. Small class sizes—averaging just eight students—allow teachers to build strong relationships with students and families, making learning highly personal and effective.
At Aim High, students aren’t defined by their challenges—they’re empowered by their potential. The school’s expert faculty emphasizes real-world application, personal growth, and the confidence students need to succeed in school and beyond.
Eton Academy
- Address: 1755 Melton, Birmingham
- Phone: 248-642-1150
- Grades served: K-12
- Number of students: 220
- Type: Private School, Special Education School
Eton is the school home of over 200 thriving and talented K-12 students who happen to learn differently. Eton Academy gives students with ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Executive Functioning Disorder, or other learning difficulties the skills they need to be confident and successful.
Eton Academy prides itself on providing: A maximum class size of 10 students and a student to educator ratio of 5:1, individualized instruction and support that students need to regain a true love of learning while also moving forward socially and emotionally, and a partnership with students, teachers, staff members, and parents to form a nurturing and supportive environment where everyone feels included, valued and accomplished.
Livonia Public Schools
- Address: 15125 Farmington Road, Livonia
- Phone: 734-744-2500
- Grades served: Pre-K-Post Secondary
- Number of students: 13,200
- Type: Public School, Special Education School
At Livonia Public Schools, you’ll find a safe, welcoming environment, where parents work hand-in-hand with our dedicated, highly skilled staff. Their mission is to educate, challenge and inspire every student to achieve personal success, and become a confident contributor to society.
Livonia Public Schools earned its reputation, through the decades, as a top school district in the state, with a tradition of excellence and a 21st Century focus. Take a look around, and you’ll see $195 million in bond issue improvements with another $185M in progress, award-winning athletics and robotics, along with a multitude of specialized programs to meet every student’s needs.
Program offerings include Niji-Iro Japanese Immersion Elementary School, high school Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment courses for college credit, career technical programs, special education programs through age 26, Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Global Education, Young Fives, preschool and before- and after-school childcare, to name just a few. Come and see their beautifully renovated schools and meet their amazing staff.
Macomb Intermediate School District
- Address: 44001 Garfield, Clinton Township
- Phone: 586-228-3300
- Grades served: Birth-Age 26
- Number of students: 19,000
- Type: Public School, Special Education School
The Macomb Intermediate School District provides services to students in Macomb County from birth-age 26. Various levels of support are provided through consultation with Special Education staff depending upon the students’ needs. Those needs are discussed in an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in which parents, the students and MISD staff are included.
Best special education schools in metro Detroit
1. Eton Academy
- Address: 1755 E. Melton Road, Birmingham
- Why it stands out: An independent school for diverse learners with its own IEP-style system called the Eton Approach.
Eton Academy ensures its more than 220 children in grades K through 12 receive a personalized education.
The school uses a research-backed program called the Eton Approach. The approach is a “systematic, comprehensive and personalized instructional system designed to help build the essential skills and learning confidence that every student needs and deserves,” the school says.
Teachers at Eton are continuously learning — they stay up-to-date on new research and attend training sessions.
2. Cooke School
- Address: 21200 Taft Road, Northville
- Why it stands out: A county-center based program housed within a public school allows Cooke School students to build peer-to-peer relationships with students in traditional classrooms.
Cooke School is a county center based program educating students aged 3-26 from its location within Northville Public Schools. Cooke offers three programs: a severely cognitively impaired program, severely multiply impaired program and a dual diagnosed program.
Curriculum is based on Common Core standards. Students work toward their goals using a systemic, aligned curriculum. In addition, the school provides programs and services to help transition learners from into the community.
3. Keidan Special Education School
- Address: 4441 Collingwood St., Detroit
- Why it stands out: This special education school is part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District and benefits from its support.
Keidan Special Education School serves children in grades PreK-8 from its location within Detroit Public Schools Community District.
The school offers many therapeutic services, including occupational, physical and speech therapy. In addition, students can receive social, psychological and nursing support based on their unique needs.
Trained staff help students grow through the use of one-on-one support, group activities and specialized interventions.
4. Aim High School, Grades 6-12
- Address: 29230 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
- Why it stands out: A safe and effective school made specifically for teens living with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Aim High School provides a nurturing school environment where teens with Asperger’s Syndrome, and other similar learning styles, grow.
The school offers communication and life skills, transition planning including ACT prep and a range of electives like drama and computer science. Students at Aim High School are educated both academically and socially.
Students can participate in summer camps and after-school clubs and homework groups, too.
5. Ann Arbor Academy
- Address: 1153 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor
- Why it stands out: Ann Arbor Academy offers a holistic approach to education with dedicated teachers and a strong arts program.
Students at Ann Arbor Academy thrive in a school environment dedicated to instilling confidence and promoting personal growth.
Ann Arbor Academy educates children in grades K through 12 as well as 13th year students. Students learn in multi-age classrooms with dedicated teachers where learning is personalized and differentiated.
Students in the lower school receive Phonics-based reading instruction as well as skills-based, multi-sensory math lessons.
6. Wing Lake Developmental Center
- Address: 6490 Wing Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills
- Why it stands out: This school stands out for its traditional high school atmosphere combined with many therapy options, including speech, physical, occupational and hydrotherapy.
Wing Lake Developmental Center is operated by the Bloomfield Hills School District and serves students from ages 3-26. This school was created for students with severe cognitive impairments and severe multiple impairments.
Students can participate in a variety of programming — they might take a session of hydrotherapy or learn in a music class. There’s also the chance to have a traditional high school experience, complete with events like prom and student council.
7. Visions Unlimited
- Address: 33000 Freedom Road, Farmington
- Why it stands out: An adult transition program with plenty of enrichment classes to help adult learners transition into independent living and a future career.
Visions Unlimited is an adult transition program for ages 18-26 living with physical and/or developmental disabilities, as well as those on the autism spectrum.
Students at Visions Unlimited learn through classroom and community-based instruction. The school prepares students for independent living and a future job.
There’s also daily enrichment classes–students can participate in book club, low-impact fitness, cardio drumming, fine arts and more.
8. Pine Tree Center
- Address: 590 Pine Tree Road, Lake Orion
- Why it stands out: A county-based center offering different services for different ages and special education needs.
Pine Tree Center is the only school in the Lake Orion Schools district which solely teaches students requiring special education services.
The school has a county-based elementary and secondary school program for students living with autism and a county-based elementary and middle school program for students with an emotional impairment. All students at the school enjoy the large sensory room located in the center of the building.
The school also offers the PHASES program, a post-secondary option that allows students to work at nearby stores like HomeGoods, the Lake Orion Library and Goodwill.
9. LDC – Oak Park
- Address: 25611 Coolidge Highway, Oak Park
- Why it stands out: A learning center with highly-trained staff helping learners with a variety of educational needs.
The Learning Disability Center, or LDC, is a one-on-one personalized learning center offering instruction from highly-trained and certified staff.
The center offers services like course credit recovery, alternative schooling, credit for homeschoolers and ACT/SAT test prep. For students who are learning English as a second language, the program also offers language support.
10. Havenwyck Center
- Address: 1525 University Drive, Auburn Hills
- Why it stands out: A licensed and secure residential treatment program for children who need intensive support.
Havenwyck Center treats boys ages 8-17 with psychiatric and behavioral challenges. The center offers a residential treatment program that is both licensed and secure.
Havenwyck Hospital offers inpatient treatment for both adults and children as well as partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient treatment.
Children at the center are treated to help them grow into adults who can successfully lead safe, healthy lives.
Follow Metro Parent on Instagram.
