Best Special Needs Schools in Hastings, Nebraska (2026)

Zion Classical Academy is Hastings' first classical Christian school, teaching students of all denominations from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade. We adopted the classical model in fall 2019, incorporated as our own 501(c)(3) in 2020, and are a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Our all-day pre-kindergarten serves 4- and 5-year-olds with play-based learning, early phonics, classical children's literature and music classes. In the grades, a chronological world history curriculum aligns with the Bible and reading follows phonics in the grammar stage. Students in grades 3 to 6 study Latin and may join band, and grades 4 to 6 take formal logic. The Hastings College Physical Education Department runs our K-6 P.E. program, and although every student has a Chromebook, we deliberately favor real books over screens. Free before-school care opens at 7:30 a.m., and a fee-based after-school program with a daily snack runs until 5:30 p.m. A free Homework Club meets Monday to Thursday with our resource teacher. Students also enjoy chess and astronomy clubs, choir, a spring musical, a school library, the city bookmobile and field trips to places like the Henry Doorly Zoo.

• Classical Christian school (PreK-6)
• Classical education
• Latin instruction
• Formal logic