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Best Special Needs Schools in Lexington, Kentucky (2026)

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

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School listings in Lexington

Teacher and two students working on a hands-on activity at a table at Kore Academy.
1

Kore Academy

Listed
Lexington, KYGrades K-12

KORE Academy began in 2003, when a small group of parents created the school their children with learning differences needed after traditional classrooms fell short. The name stands for Kids Obtaining Real Education, and today we enroll students in grades 1 to 12. Our neurodiversity-affirming teachers build an individualized learning plan for each student using a strengths-based approach, and we presume competence in all of our students. Instruction is project based, classes are small, and we provide reading and math interventions. KORE is a no-homework school: students have a daily study hall where work gets finished in the classroom with support. The school day also includes art, music, theatre, foreign language, and recess, and students join after-school clubs, field trips, and summer enrichment. KORE is an accredited private school in Lexington.

  • Private school for students with learning differences (grades 1-12)
  • Learning differences
  • Project-based learning
  • Small class sizes
View details
Pepperhill Farm campers gathered by a fence on the farm.
2

Pepperhill Farm

Listed
Lexington, KYGrades PreK-12

Pepperhill Farm Preschool and Summer Day Camp has been a cherished haven for children in the Bluegrass region for over 50 years, providing a nurturing environment where learning, play, and community thrive. Located in the scenic rolling hills of Jessamine County, this unique facility offers an ideal setting for children to explore nature while engaging in enriching activities. The preschool caters to young learners aged 2 to 5, fostering foundational skills and social development, while the summer camp serves children up to age 14 through age-appropriate programs designed to promote good decision-making and personal growth. Each summer, campers participate in three-week sessions that include Kinder Camp for younger children, Junior Camp for ages 6-8, Senior Camp for ages 9-11, and Grad Camp for ages 12-14. The camp emphasizes fun through a variety of exciting events such as Family Night, Camp Sing, Olympic Week, and talent shows that create lasting memories. What sets Pepperhill apart is its strong sense of community and tradition; many campers return as counselors and eventually share the experience with their own children. With a focus on fostering connections among families and providing a safe space for exploration, Pepperhill Farm stands out as a beloved destination where children can truly feel at home.

  • Preschool
  • Private school
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Nearby school options

Compare special-needs schools near Lexington

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

Special-needs schools in Georgetown Compare 3 programs about 13 miles away. Special-needs schools in Winchester Compare 4 programs about 17 miles away. Special-needs schools in Frankfort Compare 3 programs about 25 miles away.
Browse all special-needs schools in Kentucky →

Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Lexington

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

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.

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Comparing school options in Lexington

Lexington families work with Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), whose Special Education Department provides speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, employment training, health and psychological services, and assistance for students with hearing and vision impairments.

Preschool-age children enter through the Fayette County Preschool Center, the district's central location for developmental screenings and Admission and Release Committee (ARC) meetings. Older students go through the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and an ARC referral, with an Achievement and Compliance Coach as the special education contact. Kentucky's private-school tuition credit program is not operating, so tuition decisions in Lexington start with the district's free IEP services. Lexington searches often ask about autism schools, project-based learning, and special needs schools near me, so the answers below address each.

Local resources checked .

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Lexington

Where do autistic students get support in Lexington?
FCPS decides services through the ARC and the IEP, and its Special Education Department covers speech and language, occupational and physical therapy, psychological, health, hearing and vision supports. Ask the ARC which of these your child would receive at the home school and how staff use evidence-based practices for autistic students. For a private program, ask how many autistic students it serves and who writes behavior plans.
Where should a Lexington family start with reading or attention concerns?
Start with an FCPS evaluation. Dyslexia fits the federal specific learning disability category and ADHD can qualify as Other Health Impairment, either of which can lead to an IEP. When accommodations alone are enough, ask for a Section 504 plan. Private schools should explain their reading approach and teacher training.
Public, project-based or private: what changes for Lexington families?
FCPS provides IEP services free. A private or project-based school sets its own tuition and curriculum, and no state tuition program is operating, so you would pay it yourself or ask about the school's own aid. A parentally placed child has no individual right to the full IEP. Ask how a project-based program would carry out your child's specific goals.
Is state money available for a Lexington private school in 2026-27?
Kentucky's Education Opportunity Account tax credit, which would have paid private school tuition, is not operating: in December 2022 the Kentucky Supreme Court held that it violates Section 184 of the state constitution. The 2026 General Assembly did elect to join the federal scholarship tax credit (HB 1). That credit applies to taxable years ending after 2026 and covers students in households at or below 300 percent of area median gross income.
What belongs on my checklist for a Lexington school tour?
Carry the current IEP and pick one goal; ask the teacher to describe a typical lesson that works toward it. Ask who has crisis training, what the adult-to-child ratio is, and which therapists visit. If the school is project-based, ask how group work adapts for your child.
How do I request an evaluation in FCPS?
A parent can request an initial evaluation at any time, and MTSS strategies cannot delay or deny a full evaluation. If the ARC agrees with the referral, the school must plan the evaluation and get your consent first. The Achievement and Compliance Coach schedules the meeting and answers questions.
What happens for children under five in Fayette County?
Children under three use the Kentucky Early Intervention System (KEIS, formerly called First Steps), and the Bluegrass Point of Entry covers Fayette County. For ages three to five, FCPS directs families to the Fayette County Preschool Center, which collaborates with Head Start and First Steps to transition children into preschool.
Where can Lexington parents learn the special education process?
FCPS maintains a Special Ed Family Resources page with local events, webinars, a video series, training, a Special Ed 101 session for FCPS families and statewide assistance. The Child Find page explains your rights, including that you can give or refuse consent for evaluation and request a referral for special education services.

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