Top 10 Best Special Needs Schools in Ankeny, Iowa (2026)

Ankeny Centennial High School opened in August 2013 as one of the two high schools in the Ankeny Community School District, serving students in grades 10 to 12. Home of the Jaguars, we offer academics, athletics, arts, and activities under one roof. Students can earn a standard diploma or an honors diploma. Our honors courses are taught at a college freshman level or above, and we offer AP courses across math, science, and other subjects, along with more than 30 courses on campus that earn both high school and college credit through Iowa's Post-Secondary Enrollment Options. World language students can study French or Spanish, including Spanish for Heritage Speakers, and work toward recognition for biliteracy. Our schedule includes an early bird period before school and a daily seminar and advisory time. Four school counselors, each assigned to students by last name, guide course planning, college preparation, and financial aid, and they host college representative visits. A school nurse is on site. Our Jaguars compete in football and other varsity sports, and our marching band takes part in All-State Band auditions.

• Public high school (grades 10-12)
• Advanced Placement
• Dual credit courses
• Honors diploma

Ankeny High School, located in Ankeny, Iowa, is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including those with diverse learning needs. The school serves a wide age range and is particularly attentive to students with language-based learning disabilities and those who are twice-exceptional. Ankeny High School employs a variety of innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies designed to meet the unique needs of its students. With a focus on personalized learning, educators utilize differentiated instruction and collaborative approaches to ensure that every student can thrive academically and socially. What sets Ankeny High School apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which allows for individualized attention and tailored support. The school also emphasizes strong partnerships with families, recognizing that collaboration between home and school is essential for student success. Additionally, Ankeny High School boasts specialized facilities that cater to various learning styles and needs, along with community events that foster engagement and connection among students, families, and staff. This holistic approach ensures that every Hawk is not only prepared for academic challenges but also nurtured in a caring and empowering environment.

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

Ashland Ridge Elementary opened its doors on August 14, 2008, built under the Ankeny Community School District's long-range facilities plan with room for enrollment growth. Today we serve kindergarten through 5th grade students on NW Ash Drive in Ankeny, Iowa. We are a Leader in Me school. Students learn the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, such as Be Proactive, Begin with the End in Mind and Think Win-Win, and those habits shape how we build leadership, school culture and academics. Each week our counselor visits every grade for a half-hour lesson, then works with students individually or in small groups and helps parents find support in the community. A media center with its own library catalog supports reading in every grade, and a school nurse handles health needs on site. Families can enroll in the district's before- and after-school program, which runs in our building. Bus riders arrive through dedicated bus doors. Our active PTO plans learning and community-building activities, and parent volunteers help in classrooms, chaperone field trips and mentor students.

• Public elementary school (K-5)
• Leader in Me
• Public school

Crocker Elementary opened in the fall of 2004 on SW Applewood Street in Ankeny and serves children from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. Like every elementary school in the Ankeny district, we teach through the Leader in Me framework, so students learn the 7 Habits, from Be Proactive to Sharpen the Saw, and take on leadership roles in their classrooms and school. Our support services cover special education, talented and gifted programming, English as a Second Language and literacy enhancement. A professional school counselor teaches a 30-minute lesson in each K-5 classroom every week and also meets with students individually and in small groups. Our school nurse handles health screenings, medication and day-to-day health needs, and our media center lends books from the district library catalog. Families stay involved through the Crocker PTO and our volunteer program, which brings parents, relatives and community members in to mentor students, help in classrooms, assist at PTO events and chaperone field trips. Students are welcome to walk or bike to school, and early arrivals wait in the gym before heading to class.

• Public elementary school (PreK-5)
• Gifted and talented
• Leader in Me
• Literacy enhancement

East Elementary is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for young learners, particularly those with diverse needs. The school serves students in early childhood through elementary grades, focusing on those with language-based learning disabilities and other unique challenges. With a core mission centered on respect, collaboration, and engagement, East Elementary aims to equip each student with essential skills for success in an ever-evolving world. The school employs innovative educational methodologies, including the Leader in Me program, which instills leadership qualities through the teaching of seven essential habits. This approach not only enhances academic achievement but also promotes personal growth and community involvement among students. What sets East Elementary apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention for every child. Additionally, the strong partnership between families and the Parent-Teacher Organization fosters a supportive community that enhances the educational experience. Through various community events and programs tailored to meet individual needs, East Elementary truly embodies a holistic approach to education that empowers all students to thrive.

• Elementary school
• Learning differences
• Private school

Northeast Elementary has served kindergarten through fifth grade on NE Trilein Drive in Ankeny since our building opened in 1992. We are a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, so students learn and practice the 7 Habits, from being proactive to thinking win-win, in their classrooms, around the school and in the community, and they take on real leadership roles. Technology is part of daily learning, and our digital learning teacher also serves as teacher-librarian. Students can visit the library any school day, not only at their class checkout time, for books, renewals and help with research projects. Specials classes rotate on a letter-day schedule. Students see our counselor in a half-hour classroom lesson every week and can also meet one-on-one or in small groups, and we have our own school nurse. The district Before and After School Program serves students from transitional kindergarten through fifth grade with enrichment labs, creative projects and active play. Buses and daycare vans use their own lane at our building, and parents volunteer as classroom helpers, field trip chaperones and mentors.

• Public elementary school (K-5)
• Leader in Me
• Technology integration
• Public school

Prairie Trail Elementary is a nurturing educational environment dedicated to serving students in the Ankeny community, particularly those with diverse learning needs, including language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The school's core mission centers on fostering the holistic development of each child, addressing both academic and social-emotional needs. With a commitment to personalized education, Prairie Trail employs innovative teaching strategies and therapeutic methodologies tailored to support individual learning styles. A hallmark of the school is its low student-teacher ratio, which ensures that each child receives focused attention and guidance. Additionally, Prairie Trail emphasizes strong partnerships with families, recognizing that collaboration between home and school is vital for student success. The school also offers specialized facilities designed to enhance learning experiences and hosts unique community events that strengthen connections among students, families, and staff. This comprehensive approach makes Prairie Trail Elementary a distinctive choice for parents seeking an inclusive and supportive educational setting for their children.

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

Leadership and everyday life skills enter our classrooms through Leader in Me and the 7 Habits. Rock Creek Elementary uses this framework to connect leadership, school culture and academics. We give children a shared language for taking responsibility, building habits and working with others as they contribute to their classrooms. Our elementary counselor works with students individually, in small groups and through weekly classroom lessons. Teachers consult with the counselor about academic, social and emotional needs, while parents can discuss their child's adjustment and well-being. Counselors can also connect families with community resources. We serve transitional kindergarten through fifth grade in Ankeny, at the school that opened in 2014 and belongs to the Ankeny Centennial High School feeder system. Teachers and support staff work together to recognize children's strengths and know them as learners. Our Media Center, library catalog and digital learning resources support classroom work, and volunteering gives families another way to participate. Our counselor offers individual and small-group meetings as well as weekly classroom lessons. Parents can discuss social adjustment and emotional well-being, and counselors can connect them with community resources.

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

Southeast Elementary has taught kindergarten through fifth grade in Ankeny since our building opened in 1968. We sit in a residential neighborhood on SE Trilein Drive as one of the elementary schools of the Ankeny Community School District. As in every Ankeny elementary, students learn through the Leader in Me framework and its 7 Habits, practicing leadership, planning ahead, and working with others as part of the school day. Every grade gets a weekly lesson from our school counselor, who also sees students one-on-one and in small groups and links families to community resources. A school nurse is on site, and our library media center is open to classes on their scheduled day and to students with teacher permission. Families take an active part here through our PTO, classroom volunteering, field trip chaperoning, and mentoring. District buses serve Southeast, and every bus rider takes part in a bus safety assembly during the first full week of school. Families who drive use a staffed carline for drop-off and dismissal.

• Public elementary school
• Leader in Me
• Public school

Southview Middle School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment for eighth and ninth grade students, particularly those with diverse learning needs. The school's core mission revolves around providing a respectful and safe space where every student can thrive academically and personally. With a strong emphasis on equity, culturally proficient universal instruction, and a climate of inclusion, Southview aims to empower students with language-based learning disabilities and other unique challenges. The school employs innovative teaching methodologies that focus on real-world learning experiences, encouraging high expectations for all students. What truly sets Southview apart is its commitment to building strong partnerships with families, recognizing their vital role in the educational process. This collaborative approach, combined with a low student-teacher ratio and specialized programming, ensures that each child receives personalized attention tailored to their individual needs. Through engaging community events and co-curricular activities, Southview Middle School not only prepares students for high school but also nurtures their overall growth in a warm and inspiring atmosphere.

• Middle school
• Learning differences
• Private school