Questions on schools in Allentown (Bethlehem, Penn: best school districts, special needs, best)

[Serre]

I know there are many discussions in the Lehigh Valley area, but, I am interested in knowing which school districts (especially near Allentown) are good for students with special needs. Should I just go with the ones generally regarded better, such as Parkland?

Thanks.

[Jessilynne15]

To be honest, I'm not so sure. I'd just say Allentown School District but that's all I know. *shrugs* I wish I could help you a bit more but I'mnot really from that area.

[engsmom]

YOu can go to greatschools.net and you can search any district in any state and compare. They even have sections on testings, ethnicity, school lunches, afterschool programs and even parent/student comment sections and you can compare one school against another...good luck!!!

[silverspringer]

General wisdom is that the best school districts overall are Parkland and East Penn. I went to East Penn schools and didn't think they were that great, and know of a friend's kid with special needs who was poorly served.

On the other hand, I don't think the other options would have been much better. Allentown's schools are perceived as poor and troubled.

Several learning disabled children I knew attended Hillside School (private school) in Allentown. Maybe call the school and see if they could offer some guidance?

[mwr6348]

Serre,

I would look into Bethlehem's. I don't have any first hand experience with it, however there are people I have spoken to who have moved back into the district purely for their special needs program.