Best Special Needs Schools in University City, Missouri (2026)

Brittany Woods Middle School is the middle school for the School District of University City, serving grades 6 to 8 as a school of choice. Our campus has an outdoor learning pavilion, a large Giving Garden where students grow food, an apiary for beekeeping and a chicken coop with about 20 hens. Electives highlight STEM, careers in medical fields, entrepreneurship, computer programming and gaming, and sustainability. Our Lions also compete in seasonal middle school athletics. Students who receive special education are served through the district's partnership with the Special School District of St. Louis County. SSD special education teachers, case managers and related service providers, including social workers, speech-language pathologists, ABA providers and occupational and physical therapists, work inside our school so students stay in their home school community. Our community values ask everyone to commit, communicate, collaborate and create.

• Public middle school
• STEM electives
• Sustainability
• Public school

Pershing opened in 1920 and carries the name of General John J. Pershing, a Missouri native. Today we teach in a LEED-certified building with a library media center, a kiln room and flexible learning spaces, and we are one of four neighborhood elementary schools in the School District of University City. Our focus is social justice: students take part in experiences that build their capacity as eco-conscious citizens and use the arts as a means of advocacy. Pershing has earned National Blue Ribbon recognition from the U.S. Department of Education and was named a Gold Star School by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Students with IEPs receive special education through the district's partnership with the Special School District of St. Louis County, whose teachers, case managers and related service providers, including speech-language, occupational and physical therapists, work inside our building.

• Public elementary school
• Social justice focus
• Arts integration
• Environmental education

University City High School has taught students in its Art Deco building since 1930, and the campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the University City Education Complex Historic District. Later additions include the Charles A. Banks Auditorium, the Edward Crenshaw Gymnasium, a natatorium, a renovated stadium, a field hockey field, updated science labs, renovated band, choir and performing arts spaces, and a Library Media Center that opened in 2015-16. Our Early College Experience lets selected sophomores begin dual enrollment courses at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park, and successful students graduate with both a UCHS diploma and an associate degree in general studies at no cost to families. Students can also take Advanced Placement, dual credit and technical school courses and work toward Missouri A+ program eligibility. Special education services are delivered in our classrooms in partnership with the Special School District of St. Louis County, whose teachers, case managers and related service providers offer social work, speech-language, ABA, occupational and physical therapy as written in each IEP. Outside class, students join Air Force JROTC, FBLA, Key Club, National Honor Society, Latin Club, the Environmental Club, Theatre Club, an improv team, the Golden Girls Dance Team and Student Council.

• Public high school
• Early college
• Dual credit
• Historic campus