News & Politics

Special-Needs Private Schools in DC, Maryland, & Virginia


2007 Washingtonian Guide to Private Schools: Special-Needs Schools


DISTRICT


Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Institute of Catholic Charities 


801 Buchanan St., NE 20017; 202-529-7600; www.catholicharitiesdc.org. 48 students.


Inclusive early-childhood intervention and therapeutic services for ages six weeks through five years; $640–$831 a month (tuition reduction available through referring agency). Education and therapeutic services for ages 6 through 22 years with developmental disabilities; funded by jurisdiction. Admission generally by referral only. 


 

Kingsbury Day School, 5000 14th St., NW 20011; 202-722-5555; www.kingsbury.org. 245 students. $28,226–$31,560. 


Ungraded, diagnostic, prescriptive K–12 program for children with learning disabilities, attention deficits, or speech delays. Starting in 2008, Kingsbury will provide every high school student with laptops to assist in learning, organization and note-taking. 


 

Lab School of Washington, 4759 Reservoir Rd., NW 20007; 202-965-6600; www.labschool.org. 330 students. $28,000–$30,000, not including additional services.


Ungraded elementary and 7th–12th grade for ages 5–18 with learning disabilities. Diagnostic services, psychological services, speech/language/occupational therapy, tutoring, career and college counseling. The school recently added an assistive technology program for high school students with dyslexia. Night school for learning-disabled adults also available. 


 

St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Ave., SE 20003; 202-350-8680; www.stcoletta.org. 275 students. Tuition paid by local jurisdiction. 


For ages 3–22 with mental retardation, autism, and secondary disabilities. 


 

MARYLAND


Chelsea School, 711 Pershing Dr., Silver Spring 20910; 301-585-1430; www.chelseaschool.edu. 75 students. $34,446.


Graded 5th–12th grade for children with language-based learning disabilities. 


 

Diener School, 11510 Falls Road, Potomac 20854; 301-299-4602; Graded program for children kindergarten through 3rd grade with ADD, ADHD and learning, language, social or sensory processing challenges; $32,500, scholarships available. 18 students; www.thedienerschool.org.

The school, which opened its doors in September 2007, will be adding a 4th grade for the 2008-2009 school year. 

 

Foundation School, 1330 McCormick Dr., Largo 20774; 301-386-9600; www.foundationschools.org. 230 students. Tuition paid by state and local education funds.


1st–12th grades for emotionally disturbed. 


 

Foundation School of Montgomery County, 220 Girard St., Suite 300, Gaithersburg 20877; 301-740-7807; www.foundationschools.org. 95 students. Tuition paid by state and local education funds.


6th–12th grades for emotionally disturbed; The school moved to a new location in 2007 to provide greater accessibility for students in the Gaithersburg area. 


 

Frost School, 4915 Aspen Hill Rd., Rockville 20853; 301-933-3451; www.frostcenter.com. 60 students. County of residence usually pays tuition. 


1st–12th grades for emotionally troubled. 


 

Ivymount School, 11614 Seven Locks Rd., Rockville 20854; 301-469-0223; www.ivymount.org. More than 200 students. $41,000–$60,000, with most students funded by locality or state.


Ungraded program for ages 4–21 with multiple disabilities, including autism and PDD. 


 

The Jemicy School, 11 Celadon Rd., Owings Mills 21117 and 301 W. Chesapeake Ave., Towson 21204; 410-653-2700; www.jemicyschool.org. 275 students. $26,850. 


Ungraded for bright dyslexic students in 1st–12th grades. The school now features a prep class for students entering high school who need an additional year to learn organizational strategies and study skills. 


 

Katherine Thomas School, 9975 Medical Center Dr., Rockville 20850; 301-738-9691; www.ttlc.org. 175 students. $23,000–$28,000. 


Multigraded preK–12th grade for children with learning and language disabilities. In 2007, the school added a 12th grade. 


 

Kennedy Krieger Institute-Montgomery County, 12301 Academy Way, Rockville 20852; 443-923-4170; www.kennedykrieger.org. 45 students. Tuition paid by state and local funds. 


Ungraded program for ages 10–21 with moderate to severe autism and related disorders. 


 

Leary School, 7100 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill 20745; 301-839-5486; www.learyschool.org. 45 students. Tuition paid by jurisdiction. 


6th–12th grade for children with learning or emotional problems or multiple handicaps. Last spring, the school added a new job site program to offer vocational training opportunities. 


 

Lourie School of the Reginald S. Lourie Center, 12301 Academy Way, Rockville 20852; 301-984-4444; www.louriecenter. org. 40 students. Paid for by county school system.

Ages 4 through 5th grade with emotional, social, and behavioral disabilities. Under a new 11-month calendar, the school runs from late August through July. 


 

Phillips School–Laurel, 8920 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel 20723; 301-470-1620; www.phillipsprograms.org. 155 students. Tuition paid by county. 


Program serves ages 8–21 with autism, mental retardation, and emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities. Next year, the school will open a public charter school in DC for ages 4–14 with emotional and behavioral disabilities.


 

Summit School, 664 E. Central Ave., Edgewater 21037; 410-798-0005 or 301-261-7704; www.thesummitschool.org. 107 students. $26,519. 


First through eighth grades for children with dyslexia and other learning differences. Last year, the school expanded its athletic program to include boys’ and girls’ basketball and lacrosse teams. 


 

VIRGINIA


Commonwealth Academy, 1321 Leslie Ave., Alexandria 22301; 703-548-6912; www.commonwealthacademy.org. 89 students. $26,482.


For 6th–12th grade students who benefit from classes of ten or fewer students and/or those with learning disabilities or ADHD. New to the school this year are additional chemistry and biology labs, art and music rooms, a lunch room, and boys and girls locker rooms.


 

Dominion School, 5410 Port Royal Rd., Springfield 22151; 703-321-9091; www.thedominionschool.com. 40 students. Tuition paid by local school system. 


7th–12th grade for emotionally and learning disabled. 


 

Leary School of Virginia, 6349 Lincolnia Rd., Alexandria 22312; 703-941-8150; www.learyschool.org. 65 students. Tuition paid by local school system.


For ages 6–22 with learning or emotional problems.


 

Little Keswick School, 500 Little Keswick Dr., Keswick 22947; 434-295-0457; www.littlekeswickschool.net. 31 students. $78,389–$86,583, not including additional services.


Nine- and twelve-month therapeutic boarding/special-education programs for boys ages 10–15 with learning or behavioral difficulties. 


 

Oakland School, Boyd Tavern, Keswick 22947; 434-293-9059. www.oaklandschool.net. 75 students. $21,600 (day), $39,000 (boarding). Six-week summer day/boarding program $3,850 (day), $7,200 (boarding). 


Ungraded for ages 7–14 at time of admission with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. The school recently completed a partial renovation of its summer-camp facility.


 

Oakwood School, 7210 Braddock Rd., Annandale 22003; 703-941-5788; www.oakwoodschool.com. 115 students. $24,200. 


Ungraded (equivalent of K–8th grade) for bright children with learning differences.


 

Phillips School-Annandale, 7010 Braddock Rd., Annandale 22003; 703-941-8810; www.phillipsprograms.org. 200 students. Tuition paid by county. 


For ages 6–21 with level-five emotional, learning, and behavioral disabilities. Next year, the school will open a public charter school in DC for ages 4–14 with emotional and behavioral disabilities.


 

Timber Ridge School (Leary Educational Foundation), 1463 New Hope Rd., Cross Junction 22625; 540-888-3456; www.timber-ridge-school.org. 96 students. Fee for service. 


18-to-24-month residential program for emotionally disturbed, socially maladjusted, or learning disabled boys ages 10–18. The school opened a state-of-the-art gymnasium opened in 2007.