Top 7 Best Special Needs Schools in Commerce City, Colorado (2026)

Central Elementary Community School is an Adams 14 public elementary school in Commerce City. As a community school, we connect families with district supports such as the Hope Family Resource Center, Kids First Health Care and school mental health services, and we host food distributions for local families. We teach to the Colorado Academic Standards using the district curriculum, which includes Wonders for reading, ST Math and Mystery Science, with Spanish-language materials in bilingual classrooms. Intervention blocks give students extra small-group reading and math, gifted students receive an Advanced Learning Plan with achievement and growth goals, and bilingual 5th graders can take part in the Pathways to the Seal of Biliteracy. Students with IEPs receive services from special education teachers, paraprofessionals, speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, school psychologists, social workers, audiologists and teachers of the deaf. After school, A14 Discover offers free STEM activities that connect to the Academies at Adams 14, and LEGO programs run on campus.

• Public elementary school
• Community school
• Bilingual education
• Public school

Community Leadership Academy’s Holly Street campus in Commerce City serves preschool through fifth grade. The facility includes classrooms, a library, gym, art and music spaces, cafeteria, technology and science labs, and administrative offices. Its middle and high school program operates separately at the Quebec Street campus.

• Elementary school
• Public school

Kemp Elementary School serves children from preschool through sixth grade in Commerce City. As part of Adams County School District 14, teachers work within Colorado Academic Standards in literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and electives. Early-literacy resources include Zoo Phonics and Heggerty, while the primary grades draw on Wonders and Enhanced Core Reading Instruction. Older students build reading and math skills through intervention resources and explore science through Mystery Science. In sixth grade, the district curriculum spans English language arts, math, science, and social studies, with options such as art, band, choir, physical education, and AVID. Kemp leaders can adjust offerings by school year, and teachers can adapt curriculum resources to goals in an eligible student’s IEP. The school also connects families with district resources for special education, gifted learning, health care, mental health, and preschool. Families can contact the Oneida Street office to check current classes and support options.

• Elementary school
• Public school

Plato is among the credit recovery resources our Lester Arnold High School students can use as they complete coursework in Commerce City. Our curriculum draws on the Colorado Academic Standards adopted by Adams 14, and school leaders can adjust courses to fit the needs of students at this campus. We work with students on course engagement, the credits they need and plans for life after high school. Families participate through parent-teacher conferences and opportunities such as Coffee with the Principal. For enrollment, Adams 14 provides online registration through ALMA and in-person assistance at its Hope Center. Those are separate arrangements for family participation and enrollment, alongside students' work in their courses. An eligible student's individualized education plan determines the relevant specialized instruction and services. We work with the district's Special Education Department, whose providers include special education teachers, paraprofessionals, speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, psychologists, social workers, audiologists and teachers of the deaf. The range of district specialists does not mean every student receives every service: the student's plan guides the support needed for their education.

• High school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional

Sanville Preschool is dedicated to providing an inclusive and nurturing environment for young learners, particularly those with language-based learning disabilities and other special needs. With a core mission focused on fostering early childhood development, the school serves children in their formative years, emphasizing the importance of a strong educational foundation that shapes their future success. Under the leadership of Principal Luciana Stokley, who brings 17 years of experience within the Adams 14 district, Sanville Preschool employs innovative therapeutic methodologies and tailored programs designed to meet the unique needs of each child. The school prides itself on maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention and support for every student. Additionally, Sanville Preschool fosters strong partnerships with families, recognizing that collaboration is key to enhancing each child's educational journey. Unique community events and engaging activities further enrich the preschool experience, making Sanville a standout choice for parents seeking a dedicated educational setting for their children.

• Preschool
• Learning differences
• Private school

The STEAD School is dedicated to empowering high school students, particularly those in 9th to 11th grades, by fostering leadership, creativity, and a sense of responsibility within a supportive community. With a focus on students who may face challenges in traditional educational settings, STEAD provides an inclusive environment that emphasizes hands-on learning experiences and real-world applications. The school employs a unique Nextgen Agriculture curriculum, equipping students to tackle pressing global issues related to food, health, energy, and the environment. A hallmark of the STEAD experience is its relationship-focused approach, characterized by a low student-teacher ratio of 1:18, which allows for personalized attention and tailored educational strategies. Students engage in project-based learning, cooperative activities, and internships, all designed to prepare them for college and career readiness. Graduates leave with a professional portfolio and a clear post-secondary plan, enriched by their community service and work experiences. What sets STEAD apart is its commitment to diversity and inclusion, actively working to address systemic inequities in education. The school is Cognia STEM Certified, a distinction that highlights its effective focus on science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and design. Additionally, STEAD incorporates community learning experiences at the end of each quarter, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, further enhancing their educational journey.

• High school

Victory Preparatory Academy is the middle and high school half of a PK-12 public charter network in Commerce City that began in 2004 with Community Leadership Academy, our elementary school. Together the two schools serve more than 600 students, and enrollment is open to families regardless of where they live. We offer a liberal arts education with an emphasis on STEM, engineering, and business and entrepreneurship, built to carry students from elementary fundamentals toward specific career goals. Expectations are high: students carry homework almost every day and academic packets over breaks. Our calendar runs on a four-day week, Tuesday through Friday. More than half of our students are English language learners, and we provide English language development alongside gifted and special education services. Students ride free buses within the Adams 14 boundaries and receive free hot breakfast, lunch and snacks through the USDA program. Outside class, Knights play soccer, basketball and other sports and take part in student government, yearbook, the newspaper and scholar ambassadors. The school is authorized by the Colorado Charter School Institute.

• Public charter school (grades 6 to 12)
• Speech therapy
• STEM
• Business and entrepreneurship