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Top 5 Best Special Needs Schools in Lake Havasu City, Arizona (2026)

Compare 5 special needs schools in Lake Havasu City. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Lake Havasu City

Student attending a live online class from home with headphones
1

Valley Springs Academy

Premium
Serving Lake Havasu City, AZGrades K-12

Valley Springs Academy is an ESA-approved online special education school for Arizona students in Kindergarten through Grade 11. We serve students with disabilities, including autism and other learning differences, who do better with a structured, predictable school day they can attend from home. Our certified educators teach small virtual class groups and use Specifically Designed Instruction to adapt content, pacing, and lesson delivery to each student. We build lessons on Universal Design for Learning so every student has more than one way to access material and show what they know, and we ground our teaching in John Hattie's Visible Learning research on what moves achievement forward. Academics come first, and we also teach the skills that make learning stick: executive functioning (planning, organization, and self-management), communication and social skills, and practical life skills that build independence. We enroll families statewide, from Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Tempe to Glendale, Surprise, Goodyear, Avondale, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, Kingman, and Show Low. Our team walks families through Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) eligibility, enrollment forms, and documentation, then builds an individualized learning plan with each family before classes start. Our principal, Dr. Tracie Wendorf-Salgado, has taught special education for more than 25 years.

Claimed ProfileFunding Options
Private online special education school (K-11)AutismLearning differencesOnline special education
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Photo from Calvary Christian Academy
2

Calvary Christian Academy

Listed
Lake Havasu City, AZGrades PreK-12

Calvary Christian Academy is a nonprofit Christian school in Lake Havasu City that takes students from preschool at age 3 through 12th grade on two campuses. Our McCulloch Boulevard campus is home to preschool (K3) through fifth grade, and middle and high school students attend our Arapaho Drive campus. Classes meet Monday through Thursday. We integrate a biblical worldview into a Christ-centered curriculum aligned with the Arizona State Standards, and Bible teaching and prayer are part of daily school life. New students complete a family interview and an assessment that helps us place them at the right academic level, and families can share an IEP, ISP or 504 plan with their application. Families can pay tuition with Arizona ESA funds or with tax credit scholarships through ACSTO, Arizona School Choice Trust, IBE, School Choice Arizona and TOPS. For the 2026-27 school year, our students play sports through a partnership with Telesis Preparatory Academy.

  • Private Christian school (PreK-12)
  • Christian education
  • Biblical worldview
  • Four-day school week
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3

Havasu Preparatory Academy

Listed
Lake Havasu City, AZGrades K-8

Havasu Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free public charter school dedicated to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for students in grades K-8. With a focus on personalized learning, the academy serves children with diverse needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The school's core mission is to create a safe space where creativity and exploration thrive, allowing each child to grow academically and socially. Havasu Preparatory Academy employs innovative educational methodologies that emphasize collaboration and respect among peers, ensuring that every student receives the attention they need. The school prides itself on its low student-teacher ratio, which facilitates individualized instruction and strengthens family partnerships through community events like Family Learning Fridays and Title I meetings. With specialized facilities designed for optimal learning experiences, Havasu Preparatory Academy stands out as a unique educational institution committed to the success of its students both in school and beyond.

  • Elementary school
  • Learning differences
  • Twice-exceptional
  • Public school
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4

New Day School - Lake Havasu City

Listed
Lake Havasu City, AZAges 2-5

New Day School's Central campus on Sotol Lane is one of five preschools run by New Day Schools, a family-owned company that has cared for young children in Mohave County for more than 35 years. This campus enrolls children between 12 months and 6 years old, with weekday hours of 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our classrooms are arranged as learning centers, and much of the morning is choice time when children pick their own activity: writing, math and science centers, a sensory table, blocks, dramatic play, a listening center, puzzles and computer skills, plus outdoor centers for sand and water play and creative media. The day also includes circle time with music and movement, stories and story writing, lunch, an afternoon rest period, and outdoor play on our large playgrounds. Lessons follow our own Basics and Beyond curriculum with age-appropriate themes, and families receive a monthly calendar. Morning and afternoon snacks are provided, and staff help with potty training. The campus is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services and DES certified, our director and teachers are state certified, and all staff are fingerprinted.

  • Private preschool and child care center
  • Learning centers
  • Basics and Beyond curriculum
  • Play-based learning
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Planning guides

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Comparing school options in Lake Havasu City

Lake Havasu Unified School District #1 sorts Child Find by age. Screening and evaluation for infants and toddlers up through 2 years 10 1/2 months come from the Arizona Early Intervention Program, which parents can call at 602-439-7400. Children ages 3 to 5 are referred to the district's Smoketree Developmental Preschool at 928-505-6033. School-age requests go in writing to the principal.

For a student in kindergarten through age 21, Lake Havasu Unified asks parents to request a Parent Request for Assistance Screening Form from the principal, which starts the student intervention team process. Home-schooled and private school students can be evaluated whether or not they are enrolled in the district: send a written request to the Director of Special Services at the district office, or call 928-505-6948 for the screening packet. If a student qualifies, evaluations can cover psycho-educational, speech, hearing, vision, occupational, and physical areas.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Lake Havasu City

Which conditions qualify a Lake Havasu student for special education?
The IEP team must find that a child has one of the 13 IDEA categories, such as autism, emotional disturbance, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, or other health impairment, and that it hurts school performance. Services are then free. If your child does not qualify, Section 504 may still provide accommodations. Compare the two in our 504 plan vs IEP guide.
What does a screening tell me?
A screening is a quick check that shows whether a full evaluation is needed. Arizona rules require screening within 45 calendar days after a parent tells the school about concerns, for children age 3 through 21. If screening finds a concern, the school must notify you within 10 school days and explain next steps. Only a full evaluation can confirm a delay or disability.
My child attends a private school. Which district evaluates?
Arizona assigns that duty by the type of school. A district handles child find for children at nonprofit private schools located inside its boundaries. For a for-profit private school, the district where the parent lives is responsible. Home-schooled students count as private school students. In Lake Havasu Unified, the private school takes part in the process once you send your written request.
Can a Lake Havasu family use an Arizona ESA?
Arizona's ESA program has a universal K-12 category that requires Arizona residency and kindergarten age, meaning 5 by January 1 of the contract year. A separate preschool category covers children ages 3 to 5 with a current evaluation report, IEP, or 504 plan from an Arizona public school. The ESA service center line is 602-364-1969.

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