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At Cotting School each student we serve benefits from collaboration—the shared expertise of our teachers, therapists, nurses and school psychologist, who work together to enable students with special needs to achieve their highest learning potential and level of independence. Our entire staff has a high level of expertise and compassion, which results in a profound impact on each student’s progress and growth.

We invite you to attend an information session, open to any parent or professional interested learning more about Cotting, or you can always call us with any question you have.

Cotting School’s program is fully approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Parents Talk About Finding Cotting School
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Cotting School: A Tradition of Innovation and Excellence Since 1893 video thumbnail
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School Overview

Our campus in Lexington, Massachusetts, offers specialized educational programs for students from ages 3 to 22 years old.   We serve 120 students with a range of needs including:

  • students with moderate to severe learning disabilities requiring assessment of learning style, remediation techniques and one-to-one instruction.
  • students with moderate to severe communication needs requiring experienced teachers, adaptive equipment and alternative communication systems.
  • students with complex medical conditions requiring medical support services and closely monitored classroom settings.
  • students with post-traumatic injuries requiring a rehabilitative setting, social skills building, prevocational and vocational training.
Quick Facts
20+ Afterschool Activities
93 iPads Deployed to Classrooms
3+ Reading Programs

A Letter from the Director of Admissions

Elizabeth Russel portraitWelcome and thank you for your interest in Cotting School! I am glad you are visiting our website and I’d love the opportunity to share information about our program, as well as answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to give me a call at 781-862-7323 ext. 114 or email me at erussell@cotting.org

I have been at Cotting School for over twenty years and am very proud of Cotting’s tradition as a leader in the field of special education. Our teachers, specialists, therapists and nurses have a high level of expertise and compassion. They have a profound impact each student’s progress and growth. I am happy to have you visit so that you can catch a glimpse of the amazing teaching and learning that goes on at Cotting every day. Please feel free to give me a call to schedule a time for an individual tour or to attend one of our monthly information sessions.

Thank you and I look forward to meeting you!

Elizabeth Fay Russell, M.A., CAGS

Director of Admissions

Admissions Process

Referrals, which are typically made by the public school district, may be made at any time.  At Cotting, admission is rolling; we consider candidates throughout the year, and a mid-year admission will be considered if age-appropriate openings are available.

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Cotting Students Laughing and Talking in the Lunch Room
Cotting School admits students of any race, color, religious affiliation, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school, and does not discriminate against any students who qualify under the criteria of the school’s admissions policies in administration of its educational and therapeutic administered programs. Students may be admitted at any time depending upon their appropriateness for the program and available space.