Specialized Schools

During recess at Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Woodinville, Wash., students have cards with objects and words on them so that all students, including those who cannot speak, can communicate. Pictured here on April 2, 2024.
During recess at Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Woodinville, Wash., students have access to cards with objects and words on them so that all students, including those who do not speak, can communicate. Pictured here, a student who has been taught how to lead and use commands with a campus service dog does so under the supervision of a staff member on April 2, 2024.
Meron Menghistab for Education Week
Special Education Inside a School That Doesn’t Single Out Students With Special Needs
Students with disabilities at this school near Seattle rarely have to leave mainstream rooms to receive the services they need.
Caitlynn Peetz, April 14, 2024
8 min read
Rising seniors at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology gather on the campus in Alexandria, Va., Aug. 10, 2020. From left in front are, Dinan Elsyad, Sean Nguyen, and Tiffany Ji. From left at rear are Jordan Lee and Shibli Nomani. A federal appeals court’s ruling in May 2023 about the admissions policy at the elite public high school in Virginia may provide a vehicle for the U.S. Supreme Court to flesh out the intended scope of its ruling Thursday, June 29, 2023, banning affirmative action in college admissions.
A group of rising seniors at the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology gather on the campus in Alexandria, Va., in August 2020. From left in front are, Dinan Elsyad, Sean Nguyen, and Tiffany Ji. From left at rear are Jordan Lee and Shibli Nomani. The U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 20 declined to hear a challenge to an admissions plan for the selective high school that was facially race neutral but designed to boost the enrollment of Black and Hispanic students.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Law & Courts Supreme Court Declines Case on Selective High School Aiming to Boost Racial Diversity
Some advocates saw the K-12 case as the logical next step after last year's decision against affirmative action in college admissions
Mark Walsh, February 20, 2024
7 min read
People protest outside of the Supreme Court in Washington on June 29, 2023. The Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions, declaring race cannot be a factor and forcing institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies.
People demonstrate outside the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29, the day the court struck down affirmative action in college admissions. A new federal appeals court ruling says that race-neutral criteria for Boston's selective high schools is consistent with the high court's ruling.
Jose Luis Magana/AP
Law & Courts Court Backs Race-Neutral Criteria in Selective K-12 Schools
In a case involving Boston's "exam schools," the 1st Circuit said even admissions plans with a goal of boosting racial diversity pass muster.
Mark Walsh, December 20, 2023
4 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
School & District Management Opinion What It Takes to Reinvent High School
How can district leaders launch innovative and successful schools?
Rick Hess, December 7, 2023
6 min read
Student Well-Being Video How This Public School Serves Students Recovering From Addiction
Here’s how this public high school provides support for students recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
Kaylee Domzalski & Lauren Santucci, November 9, 2023
3:44
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
School Choice & Charters Opinion A School Without Bells or Report Cards. Can It Fly?
Students at one private school earn "learning credits" rather than traditional grades. What does that look like?
Rick Hess, September 14, 2023
8 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
School & District Management Opinion Custom-Built for Student-Athletes, This School Emphasizes Both
A private school that believes sports, academics, and personal development go hand-in-hand explains how they do it.
Rick Hess, August 24, 2023
8 min read
Classroom Technology These Educators Launched One of the First AI-Themed High Schools. Here's How It's Going
Seckinger High School near Atlanta infuses artificial intelligence into nearly every subject.
Alyson Klein, July 24, 2023
2 min read
Students in the online blended learning class at the ALLIES School in Colorado Springs, Colo., work with programs like ST Math and Lexia, both created for students with dyslexia, on April 7, 2023.
Students in the online blended learning class at the ALLIES School in Colorado Springs, Colo., work with programs like ST Math and Lexia, both created for students with dyslexia, on April 7, 2023.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Special Education Video Building Effective Classrooms for Students With Dyslexia
Approaches and advice to create a positive K-12 experience for students with dyslexia.
July 17, 2023
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Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Special Education Video How This Public School Meets the Needs of Students With Dyslexia
All students at this Colorado Springs public school have dyslexia. Here’s how the school is making their education a positive experience.
Jaclyn Borowski , June 28, 2023
5:21
Students in the hiking club take an early morning walk around the Odyssey School grounds with Outreach Program Coordinator Kate McElderry, who leads the club, before the start of the school day on March 30, 2023.
Students in a hiking club take an early morning walk around the Odyssey School grounds in Lutherville, Md., with Outreach Program Coordinator Kate McElderry, before the start of the school day on March 30, 2023.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Special Education Schools for Students With Dyslexia Also Promote Social Emotional Resilience. Here's How
Superstar guests, taekwondo lessons, and other offerings give dyslexic students hope and confidence.
Elizabeth Heubeck, June 14, 2023
4 min read
Students in the online blended learning class at the ALLIES School in Colorado Springs, Colo., work with programs like ST Math and Lexia, both created for students with dyslexia, on April 7, 2023.
Students in the online blended learning class at the ALLIES School in Colorado Springs, Colo., work with programs like ST Math and Lexia, both created for students with dyslexia, on April 7, 2023.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Special Education New Type of Public Schools Specialize in Teaching Students With Dyslexia
The schools are designed to provide the more intensive literacy supports many of these students require.
Elizabeth Heubeck, June 12, 2023
7 min read
Students in the hiking club explore during an early morning walk around the campus before the start of the school day on March 30, 2023.
Students in the hiking club explore during an early morning walk around the campus before the start of the school day on March 30, 2023.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Special Education Photos A Day in the Life of a School Designed to Support Students With Dyslexia
An independent school uses art and movement to set students with learning differences up for success.
Jaclyn Borowski , June 7, 2023
1 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
School Choice & Charters Opinion What the Heck Are Microschools?
Microschooling aims to create a more active learning environment for students than what's found in traditional school systems.
Rick Hess, May 31, 2023
7 min read