Top 10 Best Special Needs Schools in Colorado Springs, Colorado (2026)

We offer Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) classes in Colorado Springs in online, hybrid, and in-person formats. Our program prepares students to provide compassionate, respectful, and culturally competent care in home health, long-term care, hospitals, and hospice. We also offer caregiver training for people caring for a loved one with medical needs. Visit our classes and registration pages for current schedules and enrollment details.

• Trade school
• Private school

Banning Lewis Ranch Academy is a tuition-free public charter school in Colorado Springs, authorized by District 49. It serves kindergarten through fifth grade and forms the elementary half of a continuous K–12 pathway offered across two Banning Lewis campuses about a mile apart. Students can continue at Banning Lewis Preparatory Academy, which serves grades 6–12. Across the network, the schools combine traditional and modern programming with a humanities-based education and character development. At the K–5 campus, the academy highlights robust academic programming, technology access, individual attention, character-building, and community activities. The preparatory campus extends the pathway through high school with study across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and formal sciences. Students can also take part in extracurricular programs that include sports and the arts. Together, the two schools serve the Banning Lewis Ranch community and nearby Colorado Springs neighborhoods through a tuition-free public charter option. The academy and preparatory school occupy separate campuses, so grade span determines where students attend. Families can confirm current campus assignment by grade, enrollment steps, and available programs directly with the school.

• School
• Public school

Colorado Military Academy (CMA) is a tuition-free public charter school serving students from preschool through 12th grade, located adjacent to Peterson Space Force Base. The academy's core mission is to provide a values-driven education that emphasizes leadership, discipline, and character development, making it particularly suited for students with diverse learning needs, including those with disabilities and English language learners. CMA employs a unique military-inspired educational approach that integrates academic rigor with essential life skills such as teamwork, respect, and responsibility. The school offers specialized programs tailored to various age groups, including an early childhood program that nurtures foundational skills in a supportive environment. For elementary students, CMA fosters leadership qualities and academic excellence through structured learning experiences. The secondary education curriculum further builds on these principles by preparing students for both civilian and military careers while promoting character development. Additionally, the Civil Air Patrol program at CMA enhances students' leadership and aerospace skills through hands-on activities like flight training and community service. What sets Colorado Military Academy apart is its commitment to low student-teacher ratios, which ensures personalized attention for each student. The academy also boasts strong family partnerships and a supportive community environment that fosters camaraderie among students. With an emphasis on wellness and nutrition, alongside opportunities for career pathways in aerospace and public service, CMA equips its graduates with the skills needed to thrive in their future endeavors. This holistic approach not only prepares students academically but also instills a sense of integrity and service that lasts well beyond their time at the academy.

• Charter school
• disabilities
• Speech therapy
• Public school

The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind is Colorado's statewide preschool through 12th grade residential school in Colorado Springs, with postsecondary transition programs. CSDB includes the School for the Deaf (grades K-12), the School for the Blind (grades K-12), the Early Education Center for ages 3-6, and Bridges to Life for students ages 18-21. It is a Deaf-, Blind-, and Deafblind-led learning community. Students receive individualized academics along with residential life, athletics, arts, and student leadership. Bridges to Life prepares young adults for employment, further education, independent living, and community participation. Statewide Outreach partners with families and districts, including the Colorado Home Intervention Program for Deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to age 3. CSDB also houses the Colorado Instructional Materials Center, which produces braille, large print, digital, and other accessible materials for eligible Blind and low vision students across the state.

• School
• Additional disabilities
• Deaf or hard of hearing
• Visual impairments

We are a public K–8 school in Colorado Springs with a focus on computer science, STEM and innovation. Students can explore makerspace and robotics activities, while counselors, social workers and other school staff work with families on academic and social-emotional needs.

• School
• Public school

J. Wilkins Opportunity School is a program of Griffith Centers, a Colorado nonprofit that has supported children and families since 1927. The school provides specialized interventions and wraparound services for students in grades 3 through 12 who are at the greatest risk of leaving school because of trauma, neglect, or abuse. Students learn in a therapeutic setting that pairs academics with day treatment, individual and family therapy, and trauma-informed care. Through connected PRTF and residential programming, Griffith can support additional grade levels and higher-acuity needs, helping youth find safety, regulation, and hope. Griffith Centers meets each young person with compassion and nonjudgment, partnering with families, school districts, and placing agencies across the Colorado Springs region to help students heal and rebuild their futures.

• CDE-approved facility school (day treatment / residential)
• emotional_behavioral
• trauma
• serious_emotional_disorder

Kishami Academy is an independent private school in Colorado Springs for autistic and other special-needs students in grades 3 through high school. The campus is at 2328 E. Platte Avenue. After enrollment, each student receives an intake assessment and a customized curriculum. Teachers adapt methods based on the students in front of them rather than following a single fixed program. The school is independent of an outside board and does not use yearly standardized testing. It is not staffed for one-to-one support, and the location is not suited to students who elope. Academic hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with a late-start Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. After-school homework and day care run from 3 to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

• High school
• Autism
• Special-needs elementary and secondary education
• Individualized curriculum

Mountain Song Community School is a unique educational institution dedicated to nurturing the whole child, through a Waldorf-inspired curriculum. Serving students from Kindergarten through 8th grade, the school embraces a diverse range of learning needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The core mission of Mountain Song is to cultivate imagination, creativity, and intelligence in each child, fostering an environment where they can thrive academically and socially. The school employs innovative teaching methodologies that emphasize experiential learning, artistic expression, and hands-on activities. By integrating movement, music, and art into daily lessons, Mountain Song ensures that students engage with the material in meaningful ways. The low student-teacher ratio allows for personalized attention, enabling educators to tailor their approaches to meet individual needs effectively. What sets Mountain Song apart is its commitment to building strong partnerships with families and the community. The school offers a supportive environment where parents are actively involved in their children's education through various events and programs. Additionally, as the only tuition-free Waldorf-inspired school in Southern Colorado, it provides accessible education without compromising on quality. This holistic approach not only nurtures academic success but also fosters a sense of belonging and confidence among students as they embark on their educational journeys.

• Community school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Public school

One World Quest is dedicated to empowering students and communities through innovative educational opportunities. Serving a diverse range of learners, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students, the school focuses on fostering an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive. The approach combines tailored programs with therapeutic methodologies designed to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring they receive personalized support that encourages growth and development. What sets One World Quest apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which allows for meaningful connections between educators and families. Additionally, the school emphasizes strong partnerships with parents and guardians, recognizing their vital role in the educational journey. With specialized facilities and engaging community events, One World Quest not only nurtures academic excellence but also cultivates a sense of belonging and empowerment among its students.

• Educational institution
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school

We help high school students work toward a diploma while earning college credit through concurrent enrollment. Students have access to academic support and can combine online and on-site learning as they plan their next steps.

• High school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• High School (9-12)