SCHOOLS of EXCELLENCE
Schools of Excellence Award
2023 School Year Application Period is Now Closed
Applications for 2024 School Year Will Start in January 2024
Since 2008, the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) has annually bestowed upon qualified licensed private special education schools throughout the United States the distinction of being selected as a NASETSchool of Excellence. Selection as a NASETSchool of Excellence is the highest honor a private special education school can achieve through our professional association. The recognition is bestowed on private special education schools that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated truly exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education. (see a list of past recipients)
NASET annually completes a screening process of various private special education schools in the United States. Upon preliminary review, certain select schools will be notified that they appear to meet the criteria as NASETSchools of Excellence. Upon notification, the schools will need to complete an application form for verification of the information obtained by NASET.
The following are the 13 eligibility criteria a private special education school must meet to be a NASET School of Excellence:
I. Licensure: All NASET Schools of Excellence must be licensed by their respective State Department of Education.
II. Licensure of Professionals: All NASET Schools of Excellence employ special education professionals who are certified or licensed in their respective professions.
III. Student Population: All NASET Schools of Excellence educate students with disabilities and or disorders. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals diagnosed with:
Autism | Deaf-Blindness |
Developmental Delays | Emotional Disturbance |
Health Impairments | Hearing Impairments (Including Deafness) |
Learning Disabilities | Intellectual Disabilities |
Multiple Disabilities | Orthopedic Impairments |
Speech and Language Impairments | Traumatic Brain Injury |
Visual Impairments |
IV. Enrollment Size: All NASET Schools of Excellence are schools dedicated to meeting the individual and unique needs of their students.
V. Staff/Student Ratio: All NASET Schools of Excellence have a very small Staff/Student Ratio.
VI. Age of Students: All NASET Schools of Excellence serve a student age population, with all students being between 3 to 21 years of age.
VII. Related Services: All NASET Schools of Excellence provide various types of related services for their students including, but not limited to:
Audiology | Cochlear Implant Services |
Counseling | Deaf Community Interaction |
Evening Tutorial Program | Local Mainstreaming opportunities |
Occupational Therapy | Physical Therapy |
Psychological Services | Speech, Sign Language Services |
Transportation | Vocational Evaluation |
VIII. Curriculum: All NASET Schools of Excellence ensure that students receive a well rounded curriculum to meet the specific needs of each individual student with a disability.
IX. Length of Operations: All NASET Schools of Excellence have been in existence for at least 5 or more years.
X. Number of Months Open: All NASET Schools of Excellence are open a minimum of 10 months out of the calendar year.
XI. Multiculturalism: All NASET Schools of Excellence seek to provide a multicultural environment.
XII. Affiliations and Memberships: All NASET Schools of Excellence are affiliated and/or have memberships in other professional associations and organizations.
XIII. Admissions Procedures: All NASET Schools of Excellence have a specific admissions procedure that they follow and adhere to in accepting the students in their programs.
All private special education schools that are distinguished as a NASET School of Excellence will receive a certificate of this honor. They will also be included on our website and the website of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (www.napcse.org) as a NASET School of Excellence (If you would like an engraved plaque for parents, students, teachers, and administrators to see proudly hanging in your school, one can be ordered).
All NASET School of Excellence applications for the 2023-2024 academic year must be received by May 15, 2023.
There is an application processing fee (peer review of materials) of $250.00 required of all candidates for the NASET School of Excellence. ***Please note that if your school is not selected as a NASET School of Excellence, the entire processing fee of $250.00 will be returned to you. Checks should be made out to NASET.
For more information, contact us at 1-800-754-4421 ext.106 or email to awards@naset.org
If you believe your school meets the Eligibility Criteria and you would like to apply as a NASETSchool of Excellence., you may fill out the applications that are available to download at the top of this page.
Selection as a NASET School of Excellence is the highest honor a private special education school can achieve through our professional association. The recognition is bestowed on private special education schools that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated truly exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education. **
To learn more about the NASET Schools of Excellence - CLICK HERE
After review by NASET, the following schools have been accepted as NASET Schools of Excellence for 2022
Academy of Whole Learning
3500 Williston Rd.
Minnetonka, MN 55345
952-737-6900
Learn More - Click Here or www.aowl.org
ACLD School and Learning Center
118 E. Wood Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
330-746-0604
Learn More - www.acldLearningCenter.com
ADAPT Community Network - Bronx Children's Program
1770 Stillwell Avenue
Bronx, NY 10469
718-652-9790
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - Brooklyn Children's Program
160 Lawrence Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-436-7979
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - Brooklyn School Age Program
175 Lawrence Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-436-7979
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - Clearview Program
146-28 Jasmine Avenue
Flushing, NY 11355
718-352-0104
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - Forest Hills West Program
63-25 Dry Harbor Rd
Queens, NY 11379
718-639-9750
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - Greenpoint Program
725 Leonard Street
Brooklyn, NY 11222
347-472-4792
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - Harry H. Gordon Program
2465 Bathgate Avenue
Bronx, NY 10458
718-367-5917
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - Manhattan Children's Program
80 West End Avenue
New York, NY 10023
646-740-2525
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - Staten Island Children's Program
281 Port Richmond Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10302
718-442-6006
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - William O'Connor - Bay Ridge Program
420 95th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11209
718-680-9751
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
ADAPT Community Network - William O'Connor - Midwood Program
1520 East 13th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-382-1060
Learn More - www.adaptcommunitynetwork.org
Advance Learning Academy
3451 Charlie Smith Sr Hwy
St. Marys, GA 31558
912-882-5327
Learn More- www.advancelearningcenter.org
Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School
9300 Capital Drive
Wheeling, IL 60090
847-850-5490
Learn More - www.agbms.org
The Arc of Essex County's Stepping Stones School
19 Harrison Ave
Roseland, NJ 07068
862-210-8781
Learn More - www.steppingstonesnj.org
Archway Programs
280 Jackson Rd
Atco, NJ 08004
856-767-5757
Learn More - www.archwayprograms.org
Astor Learning Center
6339 Mill Street, P.O. Box 5005
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
845-871-1032
Learn More - Click Here or www.astorservices.org
The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students (The ACES)
6815 W. Cactus Road
Peoria, AZ 85381
623-937-5090
Learn More - www.austincenters.com
Barber National Institute - Elizabeth Lee Black School
100 Barber Place
Erie, PA 16507
814-453-7661
Learn More - www.barberinstitute.org
Beacon Day School
24 Centerpointe Drive
La Palma, CA 90623
714-288-4200
Learn More - Click Here Or www.beacondayschool.com
Benedictine School
14299 Benedictine Lane
Ridgely, MD 21660
410-634-2112
Learn More- www.benschool.org
Benway School
620 Valley Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
973-633-3837
Learn More - Click here or www.benwayschool.org
The Birchtree Center
215 Commerce Way, Suite 300
Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-433-4192
Learn More - Click here or www.birchtreecenter.org
Block Institute School
376 Bay 44th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11214
718-906-5400
Learn More - www.blockinstitute.org
Brehm Preparatory School
950 S. Brehm Lane
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-457-0371
Learn More -www.brehm.org
BRIDGE BUILDER ACADEMY
1221 W Campbell Rd, Suite 209
Richardson, TX 75080
972-516-8844
Learn More - bridgebuilderacademy.com
Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center
420 Gaffney Drive
Watertown, NY 13601
315-788-2730
Learn More -www.thejrc.org
Brookfield Schools
1009 Berlin Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
856-795-8228
Learn More - Click here or www.brookfieldschools.org
Brookville Center for Children's Services
189 Wheatley Road
Brookville, NY 11545
516-626-1000
Learn More - Click Here or www.brookvillecenter.org
Camperdown Academy
65 Verdae Commons Drive
Greenville, SC 29607
864-244-8899
Learn More - www.camperdown.org
Center for Disability Services - Langan School at Prospect Center
133 Aviation Road
Queensbury, NY 12804
518-798-0170
Learn More - www.prospectcenter.com
Chesapeake Bay Academy
821 Baker Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
757-497-6200
Learn More - Click Here or www.cba-va.org
The Child School / Legacy High School
587 Main Street
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044
212-223-5055
To Learn More - Click Here or www.thechildschool.org
The Children's Center at UCP
9 Smith's Lane
Commack, NY 11725
631-543-2338
Learn More - www.ucp-li.org
The Children's Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies
5430 W Glenn Drive
Glendale, AZ 85301
623-915-0345
Learn More - thechildrenscenteraz.org
Children's Unit for Treatment and Evaluation
4400 Vestal Pkwy
Binghamton, NY 13902
607-777-2829
Learn More - icd.binghamton.edu
THE CHILDREN'S GUILD SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE
410 E. Jeffery St
Baltimore, MD 21225
410-269-7600
Learn More - childrensguildschools.org/baltimore/
The Children's Guild School of Prince George's County
5702 Sargent Rd
Chillum, MD 20782
301-853-7370
Learn More - childrensguildschools.org/pgc/
Clear View School & Day Treatment Center
480 Albany State Road
Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510
914-941-9513
Learn More - clearviewschool.org
Collier School
160 Conover Road
Wickatunk, NJ 07765
732-946-4771
Learn More - www.collieryouthservices.org
Cornerstones of Care - Gillis Campus School
8150 Wornall Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-508-3500
Learn More - cornerstonesofcare.org
Cottonwood Day School
10180 Cottonwood Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
406-586-3409
Learn More -www.cottonwooddayschool.org
The Deron School of NJ, Inc.
130 Grove St.
Montclair, NJ 07042
973-509-2777
To Learn More - Click Here or www.deronschool.org
The Deron School of NJ, Inc.
1140 Commerce Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
908-206-0444
To Learn More - Click Here or www.deronschool.org
Developmental Disabilities Institute
99 Hollywood Drive
Smithtown, NY 11787
631-366-2900
Learn More - Click Here or www.ddiny.org
Durand School
230 N. Evergreen Avenue
Woodbury, NJ 08096
856-845-0666
Learn More - www.durandac.org
Eagle Hill School
45 Glenville RD
Greenwich, CT 06831
203-622-9240
To Learn More - www.eaglehillschool.org
East Valley Education Center
447 South 4th Ave
Oakdale, CA 95361
209-848-1834
To Learn More - http://www.eastvalleyed.com/
The Eden School
2 Merwick Rd
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-987-0099
Learn More - www.edenautism.org
Elizabeth Seton Children's School
300 Corporate Boulevard South
Yonkers, NY 10701
914-294-6171
Learn More - Click Here or www.setonchildrens.org
The Felician School for Exceptional Children
260 S. MAIN STREET
Lodi, NJ 07644
973-777-5355
Learn More - www.fsec.org
The Fletcher Academy
400 Cedarview Court
Raleigh, NC 27609
919-782-5082
Learn More - Click Here or tfaraleigh.org
Garfield Park Academy
24 Glenolen Lane
Willingboro, NJ 08046
609-877-4111
Learn More - Click Here or www.garfieldparkacademy.org
Gateway Academy
3939 E Shea Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85028
480-998-1071
Learn More - Click Here or www.gatewayacademy.us
The Gateway Academy
3721 Dacoma St
Houston, TX 77092
713-659-7900
Learn More -thegatewayacademy.org
Genesee Lake School
36100 Genesee Lake Road
Oconomowac, WI 53066
262-569-5510
Learn More - Click Here or www.geneseelakeschool.com
The Gillen Brewer School
410 E 92nd Street
New York, NY 10128
212-831-3667
Learn More - Click Here or www.gillenbrewer.com
The Gladys H. Oberle School
404 Willis Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-372-6710
Learn More - www.eri-va.com
Greenwood School
9920 Regency Square Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32225
904-726-5000
Learn More - greenwoodjax.org
The Greenwood School
14 Greenwood Lane
Putney, VT 06346
802-387-4545
Learn More -www.greenwood.org
Hampton Academy
56 Chestnut St
Lumberton, NJ 08048
609-267-2757
Learn More -www.hamptonacademy.com
Hayes Day School
3374 Franklin Avenue
Millbrook, NY 12545
845-677-3251
Learn More - www.hayesdayschool.org
Henrietta G. Lewis Campus School
6395 Old Niagra Road
Lockport, NY 14094
Telephone: 716-433-9592
Learn More - https://fosteringgood.org/services/education/
High Point School of Bergen County
46 Spring Street
Lodi, NJ 07644
974-574-0334
Learn More - Click Here or www.highpointschool.com
Hillcrest School
2800 North ‘A’ St.
Midland, TX 79705
432-570-7444
Learn More -www.hillcrestschool.org
THE HOWARD SCHOOL
1192 FOSTER ST NW
ATLANTA, GA 30318
404-377-7436
Learn More - www.howardschool.org/
Huntsville College Preparatory School
4217 9th Ave SW
Huntsville, AL 35805
256-539-1772
Learn More -www.huntsvilleachievement.com
Jane Justin School
1300 W. Lancaster Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76102
682-303-9287
Learn More -cookchildrens.org/services/
The Jardine Academy
75 Rod Smith Place
Cranford, NJ 07016
908-603-1460
Learn More - https://www.thecplinc.org/
Jeanine Schultz School
2101 W. Oakton Street
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847-696-3315
The John Crosland School
5146 Parkway Plaza Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28217
704-365-5490
Learn More -johncroslandschool.org
Julie Billiart School Lyndhurst
4982 Clubside Rd.
Lyndhurst, OH 44124
216-691-8916
Learn More - Click Here or www.juliebilliartschool.org
Krejci Academy
27555 Diehl Rd.
Warrenville, IL 60555
630-355-6870
Learn More - www.littlefriendsinc.org
Laurel Hall School
13310 Brook Lane Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21742
301-733-0331
Learn More -www.brooklane.org
Laurel Hall School - Frederick
4540 B Mack Ave
Frederick, MD 21703
301-698-5665
Learn More -www.brooklane.org
Learning Prep School
1507 Washington St.
West Newton, MA 02465
617-965-0764
Learn More - Click Here or www.learningprep.org
Martin de Porres School for Exceptional Children
621 Elmont Road, Building B
Elmost NY, 11003
516-502-2840
Learn More - mdp.org
Maryville Jen School
1150 N River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
847-390-3020
Learn More - www.jenschool.org
MELVIN J LARSON SCHOOL
311 S Reed St
Joliet, IL 60436
815-744-3500
Learn More - ucp-cds.org
Merakey Autism Center Carlisle
898 Waggoners Gap Rd
Carlisle, PA 17013
717-249-4525
Learn More -www.merakey.org
Miami Learning Experience School
5651 SW 82nd Avenue Rd
Miami, FL 33143
305-275-5900
Learn More - Click here or www.mleschool.org
Monarch Academy
275 N. Williamson Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-258-9664
Learn More - monarchacademy.us
Morning Star Catholic School
930 Leigh Avenue
Orlando, FL 32804
407-522-1700
Learn More - morningstarorlando.org
Mount Carmel Guild Academy
100 Valley Way West
Orange, NJ 07052
973-325-4400
Learn More - mcgacademy.net
The New England Center for Children
33 Turnpike Road
Southborough, MA 01772
508-481-1015
Learn More - www.necc.org
NJEDDA Elementary and High School
1481 Main St.
Clifton, NJ 07011
973-772-2600
Learn More - www.njedda.org
Northstar Academy
8055 Shrader Road
Richmond, VA 23294
804-747-1003
Learn More - Click Here or www.northstaracademy.net
Northwest Essex Therapeutic School & Preschool
570 Belleville Avenue
Belleville, NJ 07109
973-450-3138
Learn More - www.northwestessextherapeuticschool.org
Notre Dame of Dallas School
Notre Dame of Dallas School
2018 Allen St.
Dallas, TX 75024
214-720-3911
Learn More - www.notredameschool.org
Ohio Connections Academy
3615 Superior Ave #3102B
Cleveland, OH 44114
614-840-9401
Learn More -connectionsacademy.com
The Open Doorway Inc.
1480 South Military Trail, Suite B
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
561-434-2788
Learn More - www.theopendoorway.com
Pennsylvania School for the Deaf
100 W. School House Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-951-4722
Learn More - Click here or www.psd.org
Peter Pan Childcare and Learning Center
2500 S.W. 107 Ave. #17
Miami, FL 33165
305-227-7707
Pine Hill School
1325 Bouret Drive
San Jose, CA 95118
408-979-8210
Learn more - www.secondstart.org
PLAN BEE ACADEMY
4500 Peek Trail
Chesapeake, VA 23321
757-375-1560
Learn More - planbeeacademy.org
Prime Time for Kids
70 Phillips Hill Road
New City, NY 10956
845-639-2425
Learn More - www.arcofrockland.org
The Ryken Educational Center
7100 Shore Road
Brooklyn, NY 11209
718-836-7100
Learn More - www.xaverian.org
SAIL AT FERNCLIFF MANOR
1 Cross Road
Ardsley, NY 10502
914-591-5439
Learn More - www.sailatferncliff.com
Serendipity Center, Inc.
14815 SE Division St.
Portland, OR 97236
503-761-7139
Learn More - www.serendipitycenter.org
Skyward Academy
9994 Zig Zag Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45242
513-222-4611
Learn More -skywardacademy.com
Speech and Language Development Center
8699 Holder Street
Buena Park, CA 90620
714-821-3620
Learn More -www.sldc.net
THE SPURWINK SCHOOL
365 River Road
Lincoln, RI 02865
(401) 781-4380
Learn More -www.thespurwinkschool.org
ST. ANNE INSTITUTE
160 North Main Street
Albany, NY 12206
518-437-6500
Learn More -www.stanneinstitute.org
THE ST. ANTHONY SCHOOL
2030 N. Denton Dr.
Carrollton, TX 75006
214-443-1205
Learn More -thestanthonyschool.com
ST. LILLIAN
9755 Goodwood Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70815
225-771-8173
Learn More - stlillian.org
ST. MARY ACADEMY
4380 Fruitville Rd.
Sarasota, FL 34232
941-366-4010
Learn More -www.stmarysarasota.org
ST. MICHAEL SPECIAL SCHOOL
1522 Chippewa Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-524-7285
Learn More -www.stmichaelspecialschool.com
STILLWATER ACADEMY
11175 S Redwood Rd
South Jordan, UT 84095
801-484-9911
Learn More -www.turnaboutteens.org
SUMMIT ACADEMY
150 Stahl Road
Getzville, NY 14068
716-629-3400
Learn More - www.thesummitcenter.org/
Tiegerman High School
87-25 136th Street
Richmond Hills, NY 11418
718-291-2807
Learn More - tiegerman.org
Tiegerman Middle School
27 Cedar Swamp Road
Glen Cove, NY 11542
516-801-6915
Learn More - tiegerman.org
Tiegerman Preschool/Elementary School
100 Glen Cove Avenue
Glen Cove, NY 11542
516-609-2000
Learn More - tiegerman.org
Timber Ridge School
1463 New Hope Road
Cross Junction, VA 22625
540-888-3456
Learn More - www.timberridgeschool.org
Western Pennsylvania School For The Deaf
300 E. Swissvale Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
(412) 371-7000
Learn More - www.wpsd.org
The Westview School
1900 Kersten Dr.
Houston, TX 77043
713-973-1900
Learn More -www.westviewschool.org
Willie Ross School for the Deaf
32 Norway Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106
413-567-0374
Learn More - www.wrsdeaf.org
The Wolf School
215 Ferris Avenue
East Providence, RI 02916
401-432-9940
Learn More - www.thewolfschool.org
Woodward Children's Center
201 West Merrick Road
Freeport, NY 11520
516-379-0900
Learn More - www.woodwardchildren.org
If you believe your school may qualify as a NASETSchool of Excellence and want to learn more - CLICK HERE
Past Recipients of the NASET Schools of Excellence Award
**
The section of the NASET website on SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE is designed to provide users with information about specific private special education schools that have met certain standards as determined by NASET. The information included is provided free of charge as a user convenience and is to be used for informational purposes only. Some information may represent opinion or judgment or contain inadvertent technical oversights, factual inaccuracies, or typographical errors. The information regarding all SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE were reported by the respective schools, State Departments of Education, and a review of the documentation submitted by the schools. As such, NASET does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information on the NASET website. NASET will not be responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or deficiencies in the information provided on the NASET website.
This information is provided "as is" with no guarantees of completeness, non-infringement, accuracy or timeliness, and without warranties of any kind, express or implied. You therefore assume sole responsibility for all risks associated with the use of this information and further accept that NASET is in no way responsible for any consequences whatsoever to anyone arising from your use or interpretation of any information contained within or linked from or to the web site. Before making decisions based on any of the SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE, NASET strongly recommends that you visit the schools and ask the directors of the specific programs specific questions pertaining to your child's needs.