Best Special Needs Schools in Savannah, Georgia (2026)

Compare 2 special needs schools in Savannah. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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Chatham Academy

Listed

Savannah, GA

Chatham Academy, part of the Royce Learning Center, is a dedicated educational institution focused on empowering students with learning disabilities, including language-based learning disabilities and those who are twice-exceptional. Serving a diverse age range, the academy employs specialized instructional approaches tailored to meet the unique needs of each student, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Key programs at Chatham Academy incorporate innovative therapeutic methodologies that emphasize individualized learning plans, ensuring that every child can thrive academically and socially. What sets Chatham Academy apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which allows for personalized attention and strong family partnerships. Additionally, the school offers specialized facilities designed to enhance learning experiences and hosts unique community events that promote engagement and awareness. This holistic approach not only nurtures academic success but also builds confidence and resilience in students, making Chatham Academy a beacon of hope for families seeking tailored educational solutions.

High school
Dyslexia
ADHD
Learning differences

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Kicklighter Academy

Listed

Savannah, GAAges 0-12

Kicklighter Academy at 7219 Seawright Drive in Savannah is a state-licensed preschool and child care program run by the nonprofit Kicklighter Resource Center. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers have age-specific classrooms, while school-age children can use before- and after-school care for homework and study time. The academy welcomes children with and without developmental or physical disabilities. Its early-learning program uses play, creative arts, language development, sensory exploration, and activities that build problem-solving skills. Teachers and support staff receive early-childhood training, and the center provides meals and snacks. Families can schedule a tour to see the classrooms and ask about current enrollment, tuition, and the daily schedule. Contact the academy at stacey@kicklighter.org.

Preschool and child care center
developmental disabilities
physical disabilities
ABA support

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Nearby school options

Compare special-needs schools near Savannah

Families often compare nearby cities when commute, availability, services, or age fit differ.

Special-needs schools in Hinesville Compare 4 programs about 28 miles away. Special-needs schools in Statesboro Compare 3 programs about 48 miles away.

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Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Savannah

Use these guides before you contact programs, schedule tours, or ask your IEP team how a proposed setting will support your child's goals.

Georgia Special Needs Scholarship guide

Use the calculator, participating-school list, and parent checklist to build a shortlist.

How to choose a special needs school

Prepare school-tour questions, compare supports and family communication, and record what each program can show you.

IEP process guide

Bring your IEP, progress evidence, and focused questions to conversations about evaluations, services, or placement.

Also Looking for ABA Therapy?

Find ABA therapy centers in Savannah, Georgia. Many families use both specialized schools and therapy services to support their child's development.

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Comparing school options in Savannah

Savannah families searching for autism schools, private special needs schools or schools for kids with ADHD are choosing among Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools (SCCPSS), private schools and the district's own choice programs. Spanish-speaking families search here too, and every parent has the right to special education information in a language they understand.

SCCPSS runs a Pre-School Intervention program for children ages 3 to 5, with referral, screening, evaluation, an eligibility decision and an IEP meeting. School-age concerns go through your child's school and the district's specialized instruction office. Choice Programs are a separate application process and do not decide special education services. Private schools in Savannah set their own admissions and services, and Georgia's two scholarship programs can help with tuition for students who meet their rules. Families with a child under 3 start with Babies Can't Wait, Georgia's early intervention program, before preschool services begin at age 3. Ask each school how it supports families who prefer Spanish, and bring your child's IEP and latest evaluation to every visit.

Local resources checked October 14, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Savannah

How do I find autism schools in Savannah?

Start with what SCCPSS would provide through an IEP, then compare private schools that serve autistic students. Ask each how staff are trained in autism, whether a speech-language pathologist or BCBA is on site, and how the school handles sensory needs and transitions between activities. For children 3 to 5, Pre-School Intervention is the public starting point.

What should Savannah families look for in a school for ADHD or dyslexia?

For ADHD, look for small classes, short work blocks with movement, and teachers who check planners daily. For dyslexia, ask for the name of the structured reading program and how many minutes a day it runs. Ask SCCPSS whether your child's needs call for an IEP or a Section 504 plan before you decide on private school.

Can Spanish-speaking Savannah parents get special education information in Spanish?

Yes. Federal rules require districts to give parents written notices in their native language unless that is clearly not feasible, and to arrange an interpreter so parents understand IEP meetings. Ask SCCPSS for an interpreter when you schedule a meeting. Las familias pueden pedir un intérprete para las reuniones del IEP.

Private or public school in Savannah: how do tuition and IEPs work?

SCCPSS provides IEP services at no cost in district and charter schools. A private school charges tuition and does not have to follow your child's IEP; a child placed there by parents gets, at most, a more limited services plan. Before leaving public school, check whether your child qualifies for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship, which requires a prior public school year.

What Georgia scholarships can Savannah families use in 2026-27?

A Savannah student with an IEP who spent the prior year in a Georgia public school can apply for the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB 10) toward a participating private school. Separately, the Georgia Promise Scholarship gives up to $6,500 to students who spent two semesters in a Georgia public school, or are rising kindergartners, and are zoned to a school on the state's lowest-performing 25 percent list. See our GSNS guide.

What should I ask when touring a Savannah school?

Ask about teacher certification and how many adults are in each class. Ask which therapies happen on campus and whether outside therapists can come in. Ask how the school handles a child who runs or shuts down, how it reports progress, and whether it sends reports in Spanish if you need them. Ask for a sample report card.

How does SCCPSS evaluate preschoolers?

Pre-School Intervention takes referrals for children 3 to 5 who may have a developmental disability, then screens and evaluates. The team decides eligibility, and an eligible child moves to an IEP meeting. Children under 3 go to Babies Can't Wait, Georgia's early intervention program, instead.

Are SCCPSS Choice Programs a special education placement?

No. Choice Programs are a separate school-option process, and admission there does not change special education eligibility. If your child has an IEP and you apply to a choice school, ask before you accept how that school will deliver the IEP services.

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