Top 9 Best Special Needs Schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (2026)

Cedar Rapids Prep is a tuition-free public charter school open to any Iowa student, with no entrance exams. We serve grades 6 to 9 this year, launched our founding high school class in fall 2026, and will grow through grade 12. Our Towers Campus is on North River Boulevard, with a second campus in Hiawatha. We are operated by the Opportunity Education Network, a nonprofit network of independent and charter schools. New students take assessments at enrollment so we can build each schedule around their needs, with intervention courses for students who need to close gaps and math up to three years advanced for those ready to move ahead. Our 16:1 student to teacher ratio keeps classes small, every student keeps the same advisor throughout their time here, and advisory meets daily. Our special education learning specialist manages IEPs, and our counselors handle 504 plans. Middle schoolers pick two electives each semester from STEM, orchestra, band, choir, PE, and art. Clubs include Math Counts, Mock Trial, Robotics, French Club, and Show Choir. Students compete in football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, cross country, and track. Uniforms are required.

• Public charter school (grades 6-12)
• College prep
• STEM Honors Program
• Small class sizes

Cedar Valley Montessori School (CVMS) has been a cornerstone of family-centered education for over 50 years, dedicated to nurturing children aged two to six. With a mission grounded in authentic Montessori philosophy, CVMS emphasizes individualized learning that respects each child's unique developmental journey. The school's approach fosters social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth, creating thoughtful and confident learners who respect themselves and the world around them. CVMS offers tailored academic programs for preschool and kindergarten students, encouraging independence and curiosity through the Montessori Method. This method aligns with children's natural instincts and promotes holistic development instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. Additionally, CVMS features summer programs rich with themed activities and excursions that enhance cultural awareness and social engagement. What truly sets Cedar Valley Montessori apart is its commitment to family involvement and its low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention that supports emotional stability alongside academic achievement. The school's welcoming environment encourages parents to engage deeply in their children's education, making it a beloved choice for families seeking an enriching educational experience.

• Montessori school
• Montessori
• Private school

Grant Wood Elementary opened on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids in the spring of 1951. A fifth grader won the Cedar Rapids Gazette contest to name it, and we became the first school in the city named after an artist, the Iowa painter of "American Gothic." Our students are the Grant Wood Griffins. Classroom instruction uses Amplify CKLA for reading, Bridges in Mathematics and the hands-on FOSS science program. Before the bell, students can join a running club in fall and spring, a fourth and fifth grade show choir, or LEGO League for grades 3 to 5. After school there is an art club, Eastern Iowa Arts Academy classes and Scouting, and the year ends with a spring talent show. Twice a year our PTA runs after-school enrichment classes taught by teachers, parents and volunteers, from swimming and bowling to sign language and cake decorating. Champions provides licensed before and after care on site, with homework time each afternoon. We also partner with the Foster Grandparents Program and AmeriCorps.

• Public elementary school
• Science of Reading literacy (CKLA)
• Hands-on science (FOSS)
• Public school

Iowa BIG is an innovative public school program within the Cedar Rapids Community School District, designed to empower students by fostering their passions and developing essential real-world skills. Catering to high school students, Iowa BIG serves a diverse range of learners, including those who may feel disengaged or frustrated in traditional educational settings. The school's core mission revolves around unleashing human potential through experiential learning, where students engage in meaningful projects that connect academic standards with community needs. This approach not only enhances their understanding but also cultivates critical 21st-century skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. At Iowa BIG, students earn credits in core subjects like English, Social Studies, and Business by participating in hands-on projects that resonate with their interests. The program emphasizes learning through authentic experiences, allowing students to work alongside community partners to tackle real-world challenges. This project-based methodology is complemented by seminar-style classes that mirror a college experience, encouraging independent learning and deeper engagement with the material. What sets Iowa BIG apart is its commitment to individualized education, characterized by a low student-teacher ratio and strong partnerships with families. This nurturing environment enables students to rediscover their love for learning and develop a strong sense of agency over their educational journey. With a focus on community involvement and a track record of impactful projects, Iowa BIG not only prepares students for academic success but also equips them with the tools to thrive in an ever-changing world.

• High school
• Public school

Art runs through Johnson STEAM Academy's school day in Cedar Rapids: even prekindergarten students work with a resident artist, and the campus provides individual music lessons. Students also pursue personal goals through Goal Getters, a school program introduced in 2025. The public magnet school operates at 355 18th Street SE.

• Public educational institution
• Public school

Metro High School is the alternative high school of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, located on 7th Street SE in Cedar Rapids. Our name carries our philosophy: Mastering Educational Tasks Regardless of Obstacles. Students, known as the Phoenix, come to Metro on a recommendation from their previous school's counselor or administrator, then attend a parent and student information meeting and complete orientation. For students receiving special education services, the IEP team recommends the move and the district's special services administrator approves it. The heart of Metro is our advisor system. Students check in with their advisor every morning, and advisors track every student's credits and progress toward district graduation requirements. We run a four-period block schedule with 80-minute classes and variable credit, so students earn credit each quarter based on attendance and demonstrated learning. Our Metro STEAM Academy offers hands-on, project-based learning with community partners for science, social studies and elective credit, and it includes a greenhouse project funded by state STEM grants. Students also take a robotics class, join chess club, and meet with our counselor for college, trade school and career planning.

• Public alternative high school
• Alternative education
• Project-based learning
• Variable credit system

Polk Alternative Education Center gives Cedar Rapids students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral challenges another way to keep learning. Individualized academics form one part of the district program; students also practice social and emotional skills, constructive behavior, and ways to work well with others. The center connects that skill-building to each student's education.

• High school
• Public school

Prairie Crest is one of five elementary schools on the College Community School District campus in southwest Cedar Rapids. We serve about 420 students in preschool through fourth grade, after which our students move on to Prairie Creek Intermediate for grades 5 and 6. Our gifted and talented differentiation specialist works with Crest students as part of the district program, which offers challenge and acceleration through a continuum of options. Special education follows the district's model, in which each building specializes in serving certain types of disabilities and students are educated in the least restrictive environment whenever possible. Section 504 plans, behavior specialists and school-based mental health services are part of the district's learning supports. For working families, our School Age program runs on site before school from 6:30 a.m. and after school until 6:00 p.m. for K-4 students, with separate fees for morning, afternoon or combined care. Our PTO, library and spirit days keep families connected to school life.

• Public elementary school (PK-4)
• Gifted and talented
• Gifted and talented differentiation
• Public school

Prairie Rise serves College Community School District students in grades K–12 whose IEP teams determine that they need a more restrictive setting for behavioral support. The district caps this special education program at 20 seats and provides its services at the Prairie Rise location. Staff use a therapeutic approach, Life Space Crisis Intervention, and individualized learning plans to support academic progress and personal growth. In the classroom, Prairie Rise combines Edgenuity instruction with project-based learning. Students can access shared therapy services through Tanager while teachers help them build resilience and emotional skills. Only students who qualify for special education can enter the program, and placement follows referral criteria and a data-driven IEP team decision. Prairie Rise also plans for transitions back to a comprehensive school setting when students are ready.

• School
• Public school