Regular school can be tough for students with learning differences. At an age where fitting in socially is crucial, learning differences like dyslexia, dyscalculia, or sensory processing disorder can make students feel like the odd one out.
Most middle and high schools aren’t equipped to accommodate the diverse learning styles of every student. As a result, students with learning differences often underperform academically, which, combined with social struggles, can lead to depression, anxiety, or even skipping school.
So it’s natural for parents to seek a school that accommodates their child’s learning preferences. While factors like cost and location are important, other elements significantly impact the support provided to students, such as:
- Experience with your child’s specific learning difference: Whether your child has ADHD, sensory processing disorder, dyslexia, or another condition, it’s crucial to find a school experienced in addressing their specific learning style. This is especially important for more severe learning differences or disabilities.
- Personalization of lessons: Good schools tailor lessons to meet individual needs, such as using flashcards for dyslexic students or allowing fidget spinners for students with ADHD to help them concentrate.
- Dedicated remedial classes: Students with learning differences like dyslexia or dyscalculia often fall behind in subjects like reading and math. Schools that support learning difficulties offer remedial classes to help students catch up, boosting both their academic performance and self-esteem.
- Social-emotional learning: Some students, particularly those with autism or who are twice-exceptional (2e), struggle socially. Schools for alternative learners focus on creating a welcoming environment where students can connect with like-minded peers.
- Post-secondary support tailored to learning differences: While prestigious schools often push students toward a college path, it’s important to consider alternatives. Learning differences are lifelong, so exploring post-secondary options that cater to these needs makes sense.
In this article, we’ll highlight 8 schools that are nationally recognized for their excellent support of students with learning differences.
Best Schools for Students with Learning Differences
- Fusion Academy
- Allan Cott School for Autism
- Brighthouse Learning Academy
- Eagle Hill School
- Forman School
- Hampshire Country School
- LiFT Academy
- The Siena School
We’ll begin by discussing Fusion Academy, our school with a unique 1-to-1 model of learning.
1. Fusion Academy
Fusion Academy is a private middle and high school with over 80 campuses across 18 states, including California, Texas, and New York.
We’re known for our unique 1-to-1 model of learning, where each class consists of one student and one teacher. While all students benefit from this personalized approach, it’s especially valuable for those with learning differences, as the teacher can tailor lessons to meet the specific needs of each student.
Fusion offers a range of educational programs, from full-time schooling to weekly classes and college counseling. Private tutoring and summer programs are also available, both onsite and online through Fusion Global. A hybrid model combining in-person and online learning is also an option.
Read on to learn why Fusion’s approach is ideal for students with alternative learning styles.
Classes Personalized to Each Student’s Learning Style
In a typical school, teachers see hundreds of students each day. With classes of 30+ students, it’s not feasible to accommodate every student’s unique learning style. As a result, teachers must teach the whole class at once.
Parents are increasingly recognizing the limits of the traditional education model, and smaller class sizes are a common reason for switching to private school. However, Fusion’s 1-to-1 model goes beyond simply smaller classes, offering invaluable support for students with learning differences. For example:
- Gifted students, 2e students, or those with autism can thrive in 1-to-1 learning, having the space to focus on their strengths, which can energize them and boost their self-esteem.
- Students with dyscalculia or dyslexia benefit from 1-to-1 classes, allowing them to catch up with peers without feeling singled out in a class of neurotypical students.
- Students with ADHD can move around their 1-to-1 classroom to release energy or focus better, without disturbing the rest of the class.
- Students with sensory processing disorder can avoid distractions by adjusting the lighting or changing rooms to suit their needs.
All Fusion teachers are trained to recognize where individual students need support, meeting them where they are — without judgment. For example, students struggling with reading may find flashcards or mnemonics helpful, while others might benefit from audio-visual files or color coding. We pride ourselves on being flexible to meet the unique needs of each student.
Taking a broader view of your child’s schedule, we offer a level of personalization that other schools can’t match. For example:
- If a student is struggling with a particular subject, we can schedule it more frequently or arrange private tutoring to help them catch up.
- If a student dislikes a particular class but needs it, we can schedule it next to an elective they enjoy, helping them stay energized for the day.
- For students with ADHD who have difficulty sitting still all day, Monday through Friday, we can explore alternative learning methods outside the traditional school format.
- For gifted athletes who struggle academically, we can adjust the schedule to allow them to balance sports and school by not requiring them to attend school every day.
The majority of schedule flexibility is established early in the process when we work with you to understand your family’s needs and determine the best structure for your child.
Remedial Programs to Help Students with Learning Differences Catch Up
Sometimes, students with learning differences fall behind their peers, especially when public schools can’t provide necessary support. In cases like these, it’s important to find ways to catch up, ideally with a provider who understands the individual needs of your child. Fusion offers private tutoring in a wide range of subjects, from traditional ones like science to electives like astronomy.
Catching up with peers is especially crucial for dyslexic students struggling with reading or those with dyscalculia struggling with math. To address these challenges, Fusion offers remedial classes tailored to each student’s unique learning needs.
For example, our Structured Literacy program follows the Orton-Gillingham methodology, which is highly effective for students with dyslexia. It uses a multi-sensory approach to teaching letter and word sounds, such as using knocking sounds or gel boards, which benefits students in the lowest 15th percentile of reading ability nationwide, who often struggle in traditional schools.
Our remedial math program combines direct instruction with self-study on an adaptive learning platform that adjusts to each student’s level. This dual approach is unique, as most remedial math solutions use either direct instruction or asynchronous technology, but not both. At Fusion, lessons are tailored to each student’s ability, and students practice problems on a whiteboard with their teacher.
The software we use, ALEKS, creates a personalized learning path for each student and is engaging enough to motivate them to use it at home.
Post-Secondary Counseling That Takes Learning Styles Into Account
Even in schools that offer accommodations for students with learning differences, there’s often little recognition that these differences will persist into adulthood and the workforce.
At Fusion, we’re mindful of this fact, and we offer post-secondary counseling that considers students’ learning differences when planning their future. Students attending full-time Fusion classes receive one post-secondary counseling consultation to discuss the best options for their path forward.
Our trained advisors can help students find a pathway that respects their unique needs by:
- Identifying colleges that offer accommodations for students’ learning styles, such as extra time on exams or the option to use a laptop instead of writing by hand for dyslexic students.
- Helping students with ADHD or autism develop social skills, emotional self-regulation, and the ability to connect with neurotypical peers.
- Supporting 2e students in pursuing careers that allow them to showcase their gifts, boosting both their confidence and well-being.
- Exploring transition programs designed to help students with intellectual disabilities find fulfilling careers in their local area.
- Seeking employers committed to hiring a diverse workforce that includes individuals with learning differences.
More Than Just a Classroom Experience: Social-Emotional Learning
There’s more to school than just academics, and the social element can be a major challenge for students with learning differences. For instance, a student might be exceptionally bright but struggle with dyslexia, leading to feelings of shame when reading aloud in class. Or a 2e student could excel in English but find it difficult to socialize and make friends. Over time, negative experiences like these can compound, affecting self-esteem and potentially leading to trauma. With large class sizes, it’s no surprise that many students with learning differences get overlooked socially in traditional schools.
At Fusion, students with learning differences are the majority, not the minority. This creates an environment where everyone feels understood, as everyone has their own story and challenges. The school feels like an alternative community, where struggles are shared and acknowledged.
Teachers also make an effort to help students connect. For example, if a student is introverted but enjoys games, a teacher might suggest they play chess in the Homework Café with another student, fostering a connection.
Emotional development is a core part of every class at Fusion. Lessons often start with an emotional check-in, where teachers ask students how they’re feeling about the subject and what challenges they’re facing. We regularly discuss emotional self-regulation, self-awareness, and how learning styles impact time management — an aspect that teachers in traditional schools rarely have the time or resources to address.
After class, students can visit one of two Homework Cafés on campus. One café is quiet, providing a calm space for homework, allowing students with learning differences to avoid the anxiety of taking work home. The other is more social, where students can connect over shared interests like DnD, yoga, student government, or video games. Pursuing hobbies helps students build social connections and improve self-esteem.
Both Homework Cafés are beneficial for all students but are especially valuable for those with sensory processing disorder. These students appreciate the ability to move between high- and low-stimulation environments. Socially anxious students also benefit from structured activities in the Homework Café, as it provides a framework for holding conversations.
2. Allan Cott School for Autism
Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the Allan Cott School has been supporting autistic students since 1974. Run by a local non-profit, the school serves young people aged 6–21, offering both day programs and residential options for up to 25 students.
The Allan Cott School places great emphasis on parental involvement, with opportunities for classroom visits, parents’ evenings, and family activities.
Benefits include:
- Student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1
- Access to speech & language therapies
- Year-round operations
- Life skills training center
- Swimming pool and gym
- Special art and music activities
Tuition
Tuition for the Allan Cott School isn’t publicly listed, but reports suggest that costs range from $40,000 to $50,000 annually.
3. Brighthouse Learning Academy
Brighthouse Learning Academy is a small, family-run school located in Abita Springs, Louisiana, serving 2e students in grades 5 through 12. Brighthouse is well known in the area for celebrating neurodiversity and being welcoming to students with a variety of learning challenges. The school offers classes Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Fridays reserved for extracurricular activities or optional weekend events hosted by the academy.
Benefits include:
- New premises built for the 2024–2025 academic year
- Staff trained specifically to support 2e students
- Usage of visual and kinesthetic teaching methods
- Integration of the latest research on socio-emotional learning and metacognition
- Access to a dedicated counselor for life skills development
- Focus on emotional regulation, critical thinking, and relationship-building
Tuition
Brighthouse Learning Academy doesn’t publicly disclose its pricing, but it states that it’s more affordable than typical private schools.
4. Eagle Hill School
Eagle Hill School is a coeducational college preparatory school in Hardwick, Massachusetts, serving students in grades 8 through 12. The school specializes in supporting students with diverse learning profiles, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. For families who share Eagle Hill’s philosophy of judgment-free, personalized education but don’t live in Massachusetts, Eagle Hill also has sister schools in Greenwich and Southport, Connecticut.
Benefits include:
- Individualized education for students with learning differences
- 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- 91% college acceptance rate
- Focus on recognizing each student’s unique strengths beyond their learning differences
Tuition
Eagle Hill’s tuition for the 2024–2025 academic year is as follows:
- Day students: $65,472
- Boarding students: $91,165
Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
5. Forman School
The Forman School is a co-educational boarding and day school located in Litchfield, Connecticut. It offers a college preparatory program for grades 9 through 12, specializing in supporting students with special needs, particularly ADD/ADHD and dyslexia.
The school has a long-standing reputation, with Albert Einstein consulting on its curriculum in the 1940s and being featured by TIME magazine in the 1980s.
Benefits include:
- 100% college acceptance rate, with all graduates admitted to four-year colleges
- Small class sizes and high-tech classrooms that support individualized learning
- Dedicated support through a Cognition and Learning Department
- State-of-the-art facilities, including a Science Center, Robotics Lab, and Outdoor Education Center
- Strong communication between faculty, parents, and caregivers to support students’ needs
- Comprehensive clinical evaluations available through the Forman Diagnostic Center
Tuition
Forman’s tuition for the 2024–2025 academic year is as follows:
- Day students: $77,500
- Boarding students: $94,800
Tuition covers all services, including room and board for boarding students. Private tutoring is available for an additional cost through their academic office.
6. Hampshire Country School
Hampshire Country School (HCS) is a boarding school in Rindge, New Hampshire, serving 2e boys aged 8 to 17, primarily middle school-aged students. Located in a peaceful learning environment surrounded by nature, HCS is known for pioneering the concept of “milieu therapy,” which leverages the therapeutic benefits of activities such as camping, hiking, farm work, and forest exploration. Most students attend HCS for 3 to 5 years before transitioning to other educational opportunities.
Benefits include:
- Individualized attention in a peaceful environment for overactive, impulsive boys
- Support for students who are exceptionally gifted and relate better to adults than peers
- Field trips and weekend activities
- On-campus nursing services
Tuition
Hampshire Country School tuition for the 2024–2025 academic year is $86,500. The school doesn’t currently offer scholarships or financial aid.
7. LiFT Academy
LiFT Academy is a school for neurodivergent students in grades K–12, located in Clearwater, Florida. LiFT, which stands for “Learning Independence For Tomorrow,” aims to empower students to view their differences as strengths rather than disabilities.
The school offers small classrooms, individualized support, and innovative teaching techniques to help students thrive intellectually, emotionally, and socially.
Benefits include:
- Support for a range of conditions, particularly autism spectrum disorder and ADHD
- Small classroom sizes
- University Transition Program that balances academics, life skills training, career experience, and socialization
Tuition
Tuition at LiFT Academy is as follows for the 2024–2025 school year:
- Grades K–6th: $12,075
- Grades 7–8th: $12,600
- Grades 9–12th: $14,175
Tuition covers textbooks, e-textbooks, consumables, agenda book, and classroom curriculum.
Note: More than 95% of students receive scholarships.
8. The Siena School
The Siena School is a private school for grades 4 through 12, with campuses in Oakton, Virginia, and Silver Spring, Maryland. The school specializes in preparing students with language-based learning differences for college through personalized learning, extra attention, and multisensory educational techniques. It’s particularly suited for bright children who struggle with reading, writing, or speech.
Benefits include:
- Small class sizes with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio
- Manageable homework load to support student well-being
- Access to Chromebooks and laptops with assistive technology for all students in grades 3–12
Tuition
Tuition at Siena is as follows for the 2024–2025 school year:
- Grades 3–8: $50,847
- Grades 9–12: $51,496
Financial aid is available for families that qualify. Approximately 35% of students receive tuition assistance, with average grants of $7,500–$10,000. Siena also offers a limited number of need-based scholarships covering up to 75% of tuition and fees.
Finding the Best School for Your Family
We hope this article has helped you find a school that fits your child’s unique learning needs..
If you’re interested in a school focused on personalized learning, remedial classes, and post-secondary counseling, we invite you to visit your nearest Fusion campus.
Reach out today for more information.
