The John Crosland School

The John Crosland School is a special education school in Charlotte, NC serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade with learning differences including dyslexia, ADHD, processing disorders, and reading, math, and written expression challenges. With a total enrollment of just 106 students and an average class size of 10, the school provides an intentionally small, structured environment where every student receives individualized attention tailored to their unique learning profile.

The school's curriculum emphasizes both academic skill-building and social-emotional development. Students work with experienced teachers (18 on staff) to close academic gaps while building confidence and independence. At the upper school level, the focus shifts to preparing students for post-secondary transitions through explicit instruction in self-regulation, metacognitive strategies, and executive functioning skills—essential tools for students to persist through challenges and advocate for their own learning needs.

Admissions follow a rolling process with no set deadline. Tuition starts at $27,000 annually (varies by grade), and 26% of students currently receive financial aid with an average grant of $9,400. The school also offers a summer program for $300. Students have access to extracurricular activities including sports (basketball, cross country, flag football) and clubs like chess, as well as after-school enrichment opportunities.