Best Special Needs Schools in St. Augustine, Florida (2026)

The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school in St. Augustine. Opened in 1885, it serves eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, or deafblind. The campus includes early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school programs in Deaf and Blind departments, plus further education for students who have deferred a standard diploma. Deaf and hard of hearing students receive American Sign Language and English instruction. Blind and visually impaired students receive braille instruction. Class sizes are small, and enrolled students can join athletics, performing arts, clubs, and recreation. FSDB is accredited by Cognia and the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf. A statewide parent infant program and outreach services extend beyond the St. Augustine campus. Admission follows State of Florida eligibility criteria. Campus tours are optional and run by appointment Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• State special education school
• deaf
• hard of hearing
• blind

The Community Campus Charter School is a public charter school in St. Augustine, affiliated with The Arc of the St. Johns and operated as part of the St. Johns County School District. The school serves students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and special needs through a program aligned with The Arc's mission to support individuals across the lifespan. The Arc of the St. Johns also operates the Therapeutic Learning Center, a free public charter program for eligible children ages 2.5 to 5 with special needs, alongside ABA therapy services, employment coaching, behavioral health, supported living, and adult day training for individuals with I/DD throughout the St. Augustine area. Families in St. Johns County can submit an inquiry through Special Needs Care Network to ask about enrollment and eligibility at The Community Campus Charter School and related Arc of the St. Johns programs.

• Charter school
• Intellectual / Developmental Disabilities
• Autism
• Public school

We serve kindergarten-through-grade-eight students at Trout Creek Academy in the Shearwater community. Flexible classrooms, shared learning areas and movable walls allow teachers to combine traditional instruction with collaborative learning. Our campus includes science and skills labs, art and music rooms, ESE spaces, physical education facilities and a media center. Students can participate in athletics, clubs and leadership activities. We use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports to recognize responsibility, respect and kindness, and our PTO helps connect families with school events and volunteer opportunities.

• School
• Kindergarten
• 1
• 2