Learning differences and special education in Dallas: schools, therapists and IEP money
Dallas families can choose among several private schools built specifically for students who learn differently, in Dallas itself and in the northern suburbs. With a current IEP on file, a TEFA account at a participating school can reach $30,000, and the exact figure depends on the home district and the IEP setting. Below: the schools that reported matching services, approved therapists by specialty, and district IEP totals.
Dyslexia & dysgraphia
Dallas schools built around language-based learning differences, such as Shelton, Fairhill and The Winston School, plus schools reporting reading specialists and approved local dyslexia tutors and therapists.
35 schools · 30 approved providers →Autism & behavioral support
Schools reporting special-education services, specialized day programs in Dallas and Collin counties, and approved providers offering autism support or behavioral therapy.
19 schools · 57 approved providers →Speech, language & hearing
Schools that offer speech therapy on campus and approved speech-language providers across the Dallas area.
17 schools · 49 approved providers →ADHD & neurodivergent learners
Approved providers listing ADHD, executive-function or neurodivergent specialties, and Dallas schools organized around small classes or one-to-one instruction.
44 schools · 54 approved providers →What an IEP adds in the largest districts
| Home district | TEFA-funded students (Jul 29, 2026) | IEP: speech only (00) | IEP: mainstream (40) | IEP: resource / self-contained (41-44) | IEP: residential facility (81-89) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas ISD | 2,645 | $11,385 | $16,757 | $15,681 | $25,500 |
| Highland Park ISD | 33 | $11,441 | $17,144 | $16,002 | $26,425 |
| Richardson ISD | 752 | $11,404 | $16,893 | $15,794 | $25,824 |
| Plano ISD | 1,140 | $11,427 | $17,051 | $15,924 | $26,202 |
| Garland ISD | 1,021 | $11,411 | $16,941 | $15,833 | $25,939 |
| Frisco ISD | 545 | $11,449 | $17,204 | $16,051 | $26,568 |
Totals are the $10,474 base plus the district add-on from the Comptroller's 2026-27 Special Education Funding Table, capped at $30,000. Funded counts come from the TEFA Annual Demographic Report (data as of July 29, 2026); districts with fewer than 30 participants aren't listed in that report. All Dallas-area districts →
Schools reporting special-education services (26)
| School | Type | Community | Grades | TEFA | Students* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALIA School 6300 Independence Pkwy, Ste A, Plano 75025 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Plano, Allen, Murphy & Wylie | 1-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| American Leadership Academy - Tx 909 Allen Central Dr, Allen 75013 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Plano, Allen, Murphy & Wylie | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Autism Treatment Center Day School Program 10503 Metric Dr., Dallas 75243 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Downtown, Uptown, Lakewood & White Rock | 2-12 | Not listed | 34 |
| Behavior Network 4601 Medical Center Dr, Ste F, McKinney 75069 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Frisco, McKinney, Prosper & North Collin | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Bridge Builder Academy 1221 W Campbell Rd, Ste 209, Richardson 75080 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Richardson, Garland, Mesquite & Rowlett | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | 24 |
| Brilliant Microschools 414 W Parkway St, Fl 1st, Denton 76201 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Denton, Lewisville & Flower Mound | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Dallas Academy 950 Tiffany Way, Dallas 75218 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Downtown, Uptown, Lakewood & White Rock | 1-12 | Not listed | 162 |
| Dallas International School 17811 Waterview Pkwy, Dallas 75252 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Far North Dallas, Addison & Farmers Branch | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 213 |
| Fairhill School 16150 Preston Rd, Dallas 75248 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Far North Dallas, Addison & Farmers Branch | 1-12 | ✓ TEFA | 100 |
| First Baptist Academy 7898 Samuell Blvd, Dallas 75228 | Christian Day Schools Baptist | Downtown, Uptown, Lakewood & White Rock | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 376 |
| Great Lakes Academy 6000 Custer Rd, Bldg 7, Plano 75023 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Plano, Allen, Murphy & Wylie | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | 82 |
| Happy Flower Montessori McKinney 3801 Alma Rd, McKinney 75070 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Frisco, McKinney, Prosper & North Collin | PK-2 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Marigold Learning Academy 401 W Washington St, Rockwall 75087 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Rockwall, Heath, Forney & Kaufman County | PK-2 | ✓ TEFA | 8 |
| Notre Dame School of Dallas 2018 Allen St, Dallas 75204 | Parish & Catholic Schools | Downtown, Uptown, Lakewood & White Rock | 1-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Oak Hill Academy 9407 Midway, Dallas 75220 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Park Cities, Preston Hollow & Love Field | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 127 |
| Preston Hollow Presbyterian School 4000 Mcewen Rd, Dallas 75244 | Christian Day Schools Presbyterian | Far North Dallas, Addison & Farmers Branch | K-8 | ✓ TEFA | 134 |
| Prince of Peace Catholic School 5100 W Plano Pkwy, Plano 75093 | Parish & Catholic Schools | Plano, Allen, Murphy & Wylie | PK-8 | ✓ TEFA | 689 |
| Reach Academy Christian School 3415 14th St, Plano 75074 | Christian Day Schools | Plano, Allen, Murphy & Wylie | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Red Comet 13259 Tall Grass Trl, Frisco 75035 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Frisco, McKinney, Prosper & North Collin | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | 2014 |
| Shelton School 17301 Preston Rd, Dallas 75252 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Far North Dallas, Addison & Farmers Branch | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 1082 |
| St. Timothy Christian Academy 6801 W Park Blvd, Plano 75093 | Christian Day Schools Christian (non-denominational) | Plano, Allen, Murphy & Wylie | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | 39 |
| The Hillier School 3821 University Blvd, Dallas 75205 | Christian Day Schools Presbyterian | Park Cities, Preston Hollow & Love Field | 2-8 | Not listed | 28 |
| The Winston School 5707 Royal Ln, Dallas 75229 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Park Cities, Preston Hollow & Love Field | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | 145 |
| Vanguard Preparatory School 4240 Sigma Rd, Dallas 75244 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Far North Dallas, Addison & Farmers Branch | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 94 |
| Waterfall Academy 901 Waterfall Way, Richardson 75080 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Richardson, Garland, Mesquite & Rowlett | 1-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Wind Rose Academy 4225 W Parker Rd, Plano 75093 | Independent & Nonreligious Schools | Plano, Allen, Murphy & Wylie | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
* K-12 enrollment reported to the NCES Private School Survey (2023-24 or 2021-22). "Not listed" means the school wasn't in the state TEFA finder when we checked on October 12, 2026.
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