Top 8 Best Special Needs Schools in Scarsdale, New York (2026)

Greenacres Elementary School is a K-5 public school in the Scarsdale Public Schools, on Huntington Avenue in Scarsdale. We group every class heterogeneously, balancing gender, age, personality and areas of strength or need, and we get to know each incoming kindergartner through a spring orientation that includes a screening visit with our psychologist and speech-language pathologist. Support is built into the building. Our school psychologist, Learning Resource Center teachers and speech-language pathologists work alongside classroom teachers, and students classified by the Committee on Special Education can receive speech and language, occupational therapy and physical therapy as related services. Students with milder needs can also receive building-level speech and language support. Our library includes a language library and charges no overdue fees. Our PTA runs ASC, an after-school enrichment program with clubs in art, dance, music, STEM and sports each fall, winter and spring. The PTA also brings cultural performances, a Multicultural Fair, Tinker Night, yoga, author visits and book club discussions to our students.

• Public elementary school (K-5)
• Heterogeneous class grouping
• Public school

Heathcote School is a Scarsdale Public Schools elementary on Palmer Avenue, teaching children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Every Heathcote student takes art, music, and physical education, Spanish begins in second grade, and English as a New Language support is part of the district's K-5 program. Music runs deep here. Third graders are introduced to violin, cello, clarinet, and baritone horn, and in fourth and fifth grade students can keep playing in band or orchestra, performing at our winter and spring concerts. Our arts calendar brings in a visiting artist-in-residence and published children's authors, fourth and fifth graders perform at our lunchtime Classical Cafe, and the whole school spends April studying poetry before our Poetry and Art Festival. Our PTA runs after school clubs each semester in STEAM, sports, chess, cooking, and art, with financial aid available, along with gardening, sustainability, and the Learning From Our Differences program. Students who qualify receive speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy through the district's related services.

• Public elementary school
• Instrumental music
• Arts enrichment
• Spanish instruction

The Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) offers a transformative after-school math program for students in grades K-12, dedicated to fostering both academic excellence and personal growth. With a mission to empower students through the rigorous study of mathematics, RSM serves a diverse range of learners, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The school employs innovative teaching methodologies that emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving, encouraging students to engage deeply with complex mathematical concepts. RSM's curriculum is tailored to meet the individual needs of each child, featuring multiple levels across grades and a selective competition program that nurtures advanced skills. What sets RSM apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which enables personalized instruction and strong family partnerships. Additionally, the school boasts specialized facilities designed to enhance the learning experience and hosts unique community events that foster collaboration among students and families alike. This holistic approach not only leads to impressive academic achievements but also instills lasting confidence in students as they navigate their educational journeys.

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

The Scarsdale Alternative School, known as the A-School, was created in 1972 by students, teachers and administrators as an experimental program within Scarsdale High School. Unlike many alternative programs built for at-risk students, SAS was designed by and for mainstream high school students who wanted more of a voice in their own education. Our community is small: five full-time faculty members and 82 sophomores, juniors and seniors. Ninth graders and their parents can attend informational meetings and a parent information night. Enrollment is by lottery, and students must attend at least one informational meeting before entering their name. Because we are part of Scarsdale High School, our students also draw on the high school and the district's student services. Scarsdale Public Schools provides special education through IEPs, with school psychologists and physical, occupational and speech therapists on staff, and offers 504 accommodation plans.

• Public alternative high school program (grades 10-12)
• Alternative education
• Student voice
• Small learning community

The Scarsdale Congregational Church Nursery School, established in 1958, is a nurturing and inclusive preschool located in Scarsdale, NY. Committed to fostering cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, the school serves children in a supportive environment that encourages a love of learning and enhances verbal expression alongside coordination and fine motor skills. The curriculum is designed to engage young minds through hands-on activities that inspire creative confidence and problem-solving abilities. With an emphasis on community, the school actively involves parents in the educational process, recognizing that their participation enriches the preschool experience for both children and families. The bright classrooms are situated within a safe building on the church grounds, providing a welcoming space where every child can thrive. What sets this nursery school apart is its dedication to creating a diverse environment with a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention for each child while fostering strong partnerships between families and educators.

• Preschool
• Private school

Four Houses give Scarsdale Middle School students a familiar group within the larger school. Sixth, seventh and eighth graders join a House with teams of teachers and a House Counselor. Counselors meet weekly with their teams and develop relationships with students and families throughout the three middle-school years. We organize this structure around early adolescents' needs. Students study core subjects and explore music, performing arts, technology, STEAM and world languages. Our CHOICE program provides another option for seventh- and eighth-graders: a smaller learning community with electives, team-building experiences and an emphasis on technology. Modified sports, after-school activities and community service offer further ways to participate beyond class. For students who qualify, the Committee on Special Education develops individualized education plans after evaluating eligibility. Families, teachers and school staff contribute to annual reviews of progress, services and goals. The process considers educational, social, emotional and behavioral needs. Human rights education is also part of school life. We devote a day to local, national and international issues, giving students a schoolwide opportunity to engage with those subjects alongside their academic courses and House community.

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

Scarsdale Public Schools is dedicated to fostering a resilient and adaptable learning environment that embraces the diverse needs of its students, including those with special educational requirements. The district serves a wide age range, focusing on creating inclusive educational experiences for children with various diagnoses, such as language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The school's core mission revolves around nurturing each child's potential through tailored programs and therapeutic methodologies that emphasize academic growth alongside emotional and social development. A hallmark of Scarsdale Public Schools is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which ensures personalized attention and support for every learner. This individualized approach is complemented by strong family partnerships, encouraging parents and guardians to actively engage in their children's education. Unique community events further enrich the educational experience, fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration among families. With specialized facilities designed to cater to diverse learning styles, Scarsdale Public Schools stands out as a nurturing environment where every child can thrive academically and personally.

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

Yellow Acorn Montessori opened in 2021, after our founder, a longtime Montessori teacher, ran a learning pod through the 2020-21 school year and set out to open her own school. We serve children from 18 months to 6 years old on Crane Road in Scarsdale, and we are licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Our Toddler program serves children from 18 to 36 months, with a morning session from 8:45 to 11:15 or a longer day to 3:00. The Early Childhood classroom, for ages 3 to 5, runs from 8:30 to 3:00, with an extended program until 5:30 for working families. Care is available from 7:30 a.m. on weekdays. Children in mixed-age Montessori classrooms work at their own pace with hands-on materials in math, natural sciences, geography, music, art, languages and cultures. We combine Montessori methods with other proven education practices, and families often mention the early phonics work our youngest readers do.

• Montessori preschool and toddler program
• Montessori
• Mixed-age classrooms
• Early phonics