Top 8 Best Special Needs Schools in Loveland, Colorado (2026)

Each classroom at our Stansberry site is integrated, so children who qualify for special education through Child Find learn side by side with peers enrolled through Head Start, Colorado Universal Preschool or a tuition-based spot. Stansberry houses three integrated preschool classrooms and an Intensive Learning Center classroom, all part of Thompson Integrated Early Childhood, which runs preschool at 15 locations in Thompson School District. We serve 3 and 4 year olds. Classes meet four days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, in morning and afternoon sessions of roughly three hours. Our teachers hold bachelor's or master's degrees in education, many certified in special education, and our paraprofessionals are certified Early Childhood Teachers. Speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists visit classrooms weekly. We teach with The Creative Curriculum, a play-based, hands-on program, and Second Step for social-emotional learning, aligned with Colorado academic standards and Head Start Child Outcomes. Priority goes to returning students and children in the year before kindergarten.

• Public integrated preschool
• Developmental delays
• Inclusion classrooms
• Play-based learning

Garfield Elementary School is an integrated school of the arts located in Loveland, dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for students, particularly those with diverse learning needs. Serving children from early childhood through elementary grades, the school specializes in supporting students with language-based learning disabilities and those who are twice-exceptional. The school's core mission revolves around empowering every child to reach their full potential through a rich blend of academic and artistic programs. Garfield Elementary employs innovative therapeutic methodologies that integrate artistic expression into the curriculum, enhancing engagement and learning outcomes. Students participate in a variety of hands-on activities, such as field trips to local museums and interactive science performances like LocoMotion, which combine entertainment with educational value. These experiences not only stimulate creativity but also promote critical thinking and collaboration among peers. What sets Garfield Elementary apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention for each child. The school actively fosters strong partnerships with families, recognizing that collaboration between educators and parents is essential for student success. Additionally, Garfield offers specialized facilities that support various learning styles and needs, along with unique community events that celebrate diversity and inclusion. This holistic approach creates a nurturing environment where every student can thrive academically and socially.

• Elementary school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school

High Plains School in Loveland serves kindergarten through grade 8 with a STEAM program grounded in problem-based learning. Students complete at least two projects each year and explore the arts as a way to communicate and solve problems. Elementary learners take art, music, PE, innovation, and library specials, with daily recess and movement breaks.

• Middle school
• Public school

Loveland Classical Schools was founded by parents and opened in September 2011 with 540 students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Today we are a tuition-free Core Knowledge public charter school serving more than 1,000 students in grades K to 12, authorized by the Thompson School District. Our Lyceum campus on 14th Street SW is home to grades K to 5, and the Academy campus on West 29th Street, built in 2017 and expanded in 2024, houses grades 6 to 12. Admission is by lottery. Elementary students are taught by subject specialists, so mathematicians teach math and historians teach history. Core Knowledge is paired with Singapore Math, a phonics-based literacy program and twelve core virtues. Students who need extra academic or behavior help receive it through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports, with a school counselor at each campus and IEP and 504 plans. Younger students join LEGO, printmaking and flag football clubs, while older students choose mock trial, fencing, robotics and falconry. Our Lions compete in soccer, volleyball, basketball, cross country and track. Band, orchestra, choir and studio art start in grade 6, and After School Kindness provides before and after care.

• Public charter school (K-12)
• Classical education
• Core Knowledge curriculum
• Singapore Math

Loveland High School has taught the city's teenagers since 1894, making us the original high school in Loveland. Today we serve about 1,400 students in grades 9 to 12 as part of the Thompson School District, and the Red Wolves remain a point of pride across town. We are an IB World School and the only high school in the district offering the International Baccalaureate. Ninth and tenth graders take the Middle Years Programme, and juniors and seniors can choose the Diploma Programme or the Career-related Programme. Students can also take AP courses, earn college credit through concurrent enrollment at Front Range Community College and Aims, and study Spanish, French, or German toward the Seal of Biliteracy. Our dual-language program builds bilingual and biliterate skills. Outside the core subjects, students learn metalsmithing, pottery, video production, and podcasting in dedicated lab spaces, including the PEAK Podcasting Studio. Many of our students come from other countries and receive English language support. We also provide special education services and gifted and talented support, and our IB program follows a written special educational needs policy.

• Public high school (9-12), IB World School
• Gifted and talented
• International Baccalaureate
• Speech therapy

Mountain View High School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for students with diverse learning needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The school's core mission revolves around empowering students aged 14 to 21 to achieve their fullest potential through tailored educational experiences. The approach at Mountain View High School is characterized by a blend of innovative teaching methodologies and therapeutic programs designed to address the unique challenges faced by its students. With a focus on individualized learning plans, the school employs a range of evidence-based strategies that promote academic success and personal growth. This includes specialized instruction, social skills development, and access to mental health resources, all aimed at nurturing each student's strengths and addressing their specific needs. What sets Mountain View High School apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which ensures personalized attention and fosters strong relationships between educators and students. Additionally, the school emphasizes collaboration with families, recognizing that partnerships with parents and guardians are vital to student success. Unique community events, such as the Unified Basketball team competitions, further enhance the school's vibrant culture, promoting inclusion and camaraderie among students and the wider community. Through these efforts, Mountain View High School stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for students with special needs, guiding them towards a brighter future.

• High school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school

Thompson School District's Early Childhood program is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and engaging environment for young learners, specifically designed for children with diverse needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The core mission centers around promoting holistic development through the Creative Curriculum, a research-based approach that emphasizes learning through play and hands-on experiences. This program not only supports cognitive growth but also nurtures social-emotional skills, allowing each child to thrive in their unique way. What sets this preschool apart is its commitment to low student-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention and strong family partnerships that enhance the educational experience. Additionally, the school celebrates inclusivity and community engagement through events like Disability Pride Month, reinforcing the belief that every child's contributions enrich the school community. With specialized facilities tailored to meet the needs of all learners, Thompson School District's Early Childhood program stands out as a beacon of support and innovation for families seeking an inclusive educational setting.

• School
• Public school

Walt Clark Middle School brings grades 6–8 students in Loveland into a STEM-focused public school. Inquiry and problem-based projects run through science, technology, engineering, and math classes. The school's STEM-X program connects that work with design thinking and career pathways such as aviation, robotics, health sciences, and technical fields. Walt Clark also uses AVID strategies for writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. Students can choose from art, music, world languages, technology and design, and other electives. A longstanding campus greenhouse anchors a semester course in botany, horticulture, ecology, and conservation; students tend four gardens and help run a vegetable sale. For referred students, the Changing Leads partnership with Hearts & Horses offers equine-centered experiential learning.

• Middle school
• Public school