Best Special Needs Schools in Lake Mary, Florida (2026)

Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive educational environment for all students, including those with special needs. The district's core mission is to ensure that every child acquires the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to become productive citizens. SCPS serves a diverse population, including students with various learning disabilities, emotional challenges, and developmental delays. Key offerings within SCPS include a range of specialized programs designed to meet the unique needs of students. These programs encompass Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for behavioral support, Orton-Gillingham for reading intervention, and comprehensive speech and language therapy. Additionally, occupational therapy services are available to assist students in developing essential life skills, while social skills groups provide opportunities for peer interaction and relationship building. The district also emphasizes the importance of inclusive education, offering resources and support for students in mainstream classrooms. What sets Seminole County Public Schools apart is its commitment to individualized education plans (IEPs) and a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention for each student. The district fosters a nurturing campus environment equipped with specialized technology to enhance learning experiences. Furthermore, SCPS offers vocational training programs and summer enrichment opportunities, promoting community integration and preparing students for future success.

• Special education school
• Developmental delays
• emotional challenges
• Learning differences

Lake Mary Preparatory School opened in 1999 and now serves PreK through grade 12 on a 48-acre campus. Two buildings hold our Lower and Secondary schools, with science labs, a design loft with iMacs and a video studio, a woodshop, library, art studios, band room, indoor gymnasium, football and soccer field, playground and an on-campus health clinic. A floating science lab takes lessons onto the water. Lower School students learn Spanish, try coding and engineering, and play intramural sports. Middle schoolers follow an honors-level curriculum, study Spanish or Chinese and can earn high school credit. Upper School students choose from 21 AP courses and the AP Capstone program. About 15 percent of our students come from abroad. Our Griffin Learning Support Program serves students with mild to moderate learning differences: classroom support carries no fee, and small-group or one-to-one Learning Specialist sessions are offered for a fee. We do not offer ESE programs or speech or occupational therapy. Tuition for 2026-27 runs from $14,710 for PreK4 to $21,680 for high school, we accept state-funded scholarships, and Extended Care costs $30 a day and lasts until 6 p.m.

• Private college-preparatory school (PreK-12)
• Learning differences
• College preparatory
• AP Capstone

UCP Seminole Early Learning Center is a tuition-free, public charter school in Lake Mary, Florida, operated by UCP of Central Florida (United Cerebral Palsy) and serving children from preschool through 2nd grade in Seminole County. The campus is part of the UCP Charter Schools network, which provides inclusive early childhood and early elementary education for students with developmental differences and special needs, ensuring every child has access to the support needed to reach their full potential. Families can enroll for the 2026-2027 school year or schedule a campus tour at ucpcharter.org. Families in Lake Mary and Seminole County seeking inclusive early learning programs for children with special needs can submit an inquiry through Special Needs Care Network to learn more about UCP Seminole Early Learning Center.

• Elementary school
• Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities
• Charter school
• Private school