There are plenty of great special need schools in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This includes special needs schools in downtown Toronto (such as the Annex and Bloor West), midtown (such as St. Clair West and Forest Hill), North York, Scarborough, Vaughan, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Markham, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, and Aurora. Read more
These are dedicated special needs schools in Toronto, where 100% of the students have special needs. They provide full-time special needs support for all students in the school, through accommodations, modifications, and remediations.
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Brighton is the leading private school in Toronto for students with academic and/or social challenges. We offer curriculum-based and remedial Elementary programs; and credit, pre-credit and non-credit Secondary streams.
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We are a new style of independent school for diverse learners where all students learn with dignity; where a warm and nurturing school serves as a foundation for remarkable lives; and where the whole person who matters.
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Junior Academy offers programs for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Eight, in midtown Toronto. The average class size is 10 to 14 students and it caters to all types of students with different learning profiles.
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Ontario Virtual School is an Ontario Government approved credit-granting institution offering high school level courses for Grades 9-12 in an interactive online format. Students can start anytime with 24/7 access.
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The YMCA Academy is an alternative high school serving youth with learning disabilities and learning style differences.
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Oak Learners offers a creative learning atmosphere, working with your child’s unique learning style to inspire their strengths and interests.
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Founded on the science of neuroplasticity, Arrowsmith Program provides students with the skills necessary to overcome their learning disabilities and transform their academic, cognitive, emotional and social lives.
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The Dunblaine School empowers students with learning disabilities to reach their full potential. It offers programs for students from grade one to eight, with an average class size of 5-7 students.
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Brighton Launch reimagines post-secondary education for young adults with intellectual challenges. Using a tailored skills curriculum, supported work placements and more, we prepare students for lives of success.
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Shoore Centre for Learning is a special-needs private school that offers programs from grades seven to 12 in Toronto. Its average class size is six students.
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AVRO Academy is an alternative high school in Toronto for grades 9 to 12. Students earn credits while developing skills that best prepares them for post secondary education. We focus on student strength!
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Magnificent Minds Inc. caters to learners whose needs are not being met in traditional school environments, pursuing academic excellence, and individual greatness.
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These Toronto schools offer special needs support to a segment of students through a wide range of placements. Environments offered may include dedicated, integrated, and withdrawal special needs classes, as well as regular classes with resource support and in-class adaptations. These schools offer special needs support to a segment of students through a wide range of placements. Environments offered may include dedicated, integrated, and withdrawal special needs classes, as well as regular cla
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Toronto Prep School starts later in order to maximize teen learning. The optimal time for teenagers to learn is late in the morning through to late afternoon. Our classes start at 10:00 am.
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Hawthorn School is an all-girls school in Toronto that offers programs from toddler to grade 12. Our unique mentoring program is tailored to each girl to help them reach their full potential.
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Located in the heart of Toronto, Upper Canada College is the oldest independent boys' school in Ontario. Our IB graduates are highly regarded by top universities and post-secondary institutions worldwide.
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Conveniently located in Midtown Toronto, our Junior and Elementary campuses are a popular choice for families seeking exceptional childcare and the very best Montessori education for their children.
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The York School is a JK to Grade 12 co-ed, independent, International Baccalaureate school in midtown Toronto. The school is accredited by CAIS, IBO, and CIS.
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Crescent School is a Toronto independent day school for boys in Grades 3 to 12. Our learning environment develops students' characters through academics, arts, athletics, business, outreach and robotics.
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Montcrest School offers programs from JK to Grade 8. Its average class size is seven to 18 students. Montcrest offers an exceptional academic experience with balanced opportunities in leadership, the arts, and athletics.
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Dragon Academy is the right fit for gifted students, grades 6 to 12. Dragon's small, discussion-based classes go beyond the classroom into our world-class city . An inclusive, exciting, can't wait to get there school.
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Greenwood College School in Toronto offers programs for Grades 7 through 12. Its average class size is 15 to 19 students.
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Prestige School offers programs from junior kindergarten to grade 12 in Toronto. Its average class size is 10 to 18 students.
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Co-ed Day School in the heart of downtown Toronto. Discover a progressive learning environment that promotes authentic and real-world learning experiences.Our goal is to tap into the natural curiosity and inspire success
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Ellington Montessori School offers small class sizes and individualized programs from pre-school to grade eight. Our holistic approach to education helps prepare students for success in today's rapidly changing world.
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Waldorf Academy offers programs from childcare to grade eight in downtown Toronto. Its average class size is 18 students.
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MJDS inspires a lifetime love for learning in a nurturing environment that fosters respect for oneself, the community and the world, guided by the shared values of Judaism and Montessori education.
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Crestwood School in Toronto offers JK to grade six, with an enrolment of 350 students. Class sizes average 15 students and tuition starts at $18,000.
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OAT is a high school in Toronto specializing in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Full credit courses, Booster programs and Reach Ahead programs designed to give students the support they need to excel.
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RSGC is an urban day school that combines academic excellence with a stimulating and supportive environment. Our mission is to challenge and inspire each boy to become the best version of himself.
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University of Toronto Schools (UTS) offers a transformative education to high-achieving students in Grades 7 to 12. UTS graduates take initiative and innovate as socially responsible global citizens.
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Lycée Français de Toronto is a French school that offers programs from nursery to grade 12. Its average class size is 17 students.
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Toronto eSchool is both an online high school and a tutoring centre offering grade 9 to 12 credit courses to local and international students on a part-time or full-time basis. Special needs students are welcomed!
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Don Valley Academy is a private high school whose primary aim is to prepare our students for post-secondary studies. We are dedicated to providing educational programs that meet the needs of each student.
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Summit Micro School offers an alternative program from JK to Grade 8. Reggio Emilia inspired Kindergarten and Project Based Learning programs inspire and engage while developing essential 21st Century skills.
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St. Clement's Early Learning School 70 St. Clements Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4R 1H2 St. Clement’s Early Learning School provides a child with an opportunity for growth in all areas of his or her development.
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The Mabin School offers programs from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 in Toronto. Its average class size is 20 students.
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B.E.N. offers an engaging, caring learning community.Focus is on qualities and skills alongside Ontario Curriculum. Small class sizes, daily outdoor activities, art classes and workshop. Parenting workshops are offered.
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We take inspiration from the Reggio Emilia philosophy where each child is born creative, intuitive, resourceful, & has a strong potential for development from a very young age.Full-time care (7:30am-6pm). Tour anytime.
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Kingsway College School offers programs for PK to grade 8 in Etobicoke. Its average class size is 17 to 21 students.
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St. Michael's College School offers students in Grades 7-12 an enriched, Catholic, liberal arts education complemented by a diverse co-curricular programme.
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CGS (Children's Garden School) offers co-ed, Preschool-Grade 3 programming. Small class sizes. Exceptional phonics program.
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Bannockburn School leads in Montessori education by offering an exceptional, enriched Montessori curriculum in a nurturing environment carefully prepared to meet the needs of children in the formative years of childhood.
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Robbins Hebrew Academy (RHA) teaches students to think critically and globally, in a community that builds self-esteem and life-long character. RHA is Toronto’s first Jewish school to be CAIS accredited.
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Neuchâtel Junior College, in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, offers Canadian Grade 12 curriculum and AP to students from across Canada and beyond.
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Crestwood Preparatory College offers a university preparatory program for students in grades 7 to 12. Crestwood always strive to Inspire Excellence and to Nurture the Individual.
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These schools offer special education programs for your child. They also tailor their approach to your child's unique learning strengths and weaknesses.
Toronto has several different kinds of special needs schools and programs. Some of these schools are focused exclusively on special needs students, and provide full-time support for them. Others offer a full-time, dedicated special education class or program for students with some kinds of special needs (a class that takes place alongside other classes). And others offer resource support or certain kinds of in-class accommodations for special needs children.
Each of these schools provides specialized support for children with special needs. Only some Toronto special need schools and programs, though, provide support for all or most special needs children. Most focus on specific kinds of special needs. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, there are schools providing support for one or more of the following kinds of special needs:
Keep in mind, different types of special needs children require different accommodations. For instance, a gifted student may require subject-specific enrichment or acceleration. A student with ADHD, on the other hand, may need to be placed in a smaller class, whether they can work in a calm environment and receive special attention. And a student with dyslexia may need extra time and support for reading and writing assignments.
If you’re child has a special need, it’s important to address it. They can’t just be left to deal with it on their own.
A Toronto special needs school, whether it offers a full-time dedicated program or part-time support, is a step in the right direction. Your child will likely be assigned a special education teacher. They also will likely receive specialized programming in the form of an Independent Education Plan (IEP). This will help ensure they receive the accommodations they need, and don’t fall through the cracks.
This can also allow your child to avoid some common problems. Children with unaddressed special needs often fall behind in their school work. This can lead to frustration, boredom, and feeling disconnected. It also frequently leads to social and behavioural issues.
By going to a school that addresses their special need(s), your child can avoid these pitfalls. In fact, if you find a school that’s a good fit, one that offers the right kind of program and environment, your child can excel, academically, socially, and emotionally.
Luckily, in Toronto, there are many schools offering support for students with special needs. There are also nearby schools in Mississauga, Oakville, and Brampton.
To aid you in your search for the right special needs school, attend one of our annual private school expos. Meet with Toronto's top ranked private schools and the best boarding schools across Canada at the Halton-Peel expo and the Toronto expo in October. These one-day events are a must for any parent or student considering an alternative education. You can also read our guide to choosing a great special needs school.
On this page, we list special needs schools in Toronto and the GTA. Click on a school profile to learn more about it.
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Special needs schools
