Approved Private Schools and Special Education Resouces
Approved Private Schools (APS) are schools approved by the PDE to provide free and appropriate public special education to children who have disabilities that interfere with learning. These schools tailor learning to address each child’s unique needs. They offer a range of approaches and services that may include smaller classes, individualized learning, one-on-one support, self-contained classrooms, resource rooms, and learning aids.
PA Private and Special Schools
Below is a list of special schools and resources that offer various programs, curriculum, and activities geared toward children with disabilities.
The Children's Institute of Pittsburgh provides healthcare, education, and social services for children and youth with special healthcare needs. Dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, The Children's Institute works with young people and their families by providing a specialized continuum of services that enable them to reach their potential.
DePaul School for Hearing and Speech is an APS for children with hearing loss. The instructional approach focuses on listening and spoken language.
With a focus on education, mental health, autism, and unique therapeutic offerings, Glade Run has a long tradition of linking faith and service. They provide mental health services along with educational services to serve the Butler, Beaver, and Allegheny counties.
The North Allegheny School District offers a full continuum of services for students with disabilities designed to meet the needs of all students. Students attend classes in each of the twelve buildings in the District as determined by student need.
PAIU is a nonprofit organization representing Pennsylvania’s twenty-nine regional educational service agencies known as intermediate units. PAIU promotes educational and operational collaboration; leverages partnerships and resources; facilitates communication on educational practice and public policy; and advocates on behalf of intermediate units to expand high quality services to students, schools and communities.
According to the PDE website, there are four PA charter and 33 non-charter APSs which provide a program of special education for over 4,000 day and residential students. This link provides a Directory of Approved Private Schools.
The PRIDE program is a full-time transitional program based at The Pathfinder School in Bethel Park, PA. Designed for 18 to 21 year-old students in special education with mild to moderate needs- including those students who have held their diplomas to continue their education in the public school system- the PRIDE program provides intense transition experiences and training in real-life settings.
Approximately 1 in every 5 children struggles with a reading disability. Provident Charter School addresses the needs of this neglected population by incorporating multisensory instruction into our curriculum.
Provident Charter School is designed for children with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences to access their potential by providing a high-quality, well-rounded education that is delivered through multisensory instructional methods and individual learning plans. Our students move into high school prepared to succeed and confident in their abilities.
The Watson Institute is an educational organization with four licensed approved private special education schools and one licensed private academic school located in Western Pennsylvania. The 5 centers are: Friendship Academy, LEAP Preschool, Education Center Sewickley, Education Center South, and Watson Institute Social Center for Academic Achievement.
The School for the Blind provides early intervention and outreach services to students with visual impairments, with or without additional disabilities.
WPSD is an APS for students who are deaf/hard of hearing. American Sign Language, Sign Supported English and Spoken English are all incorporated to promote the academic, social, emotional and physical development of students.