Top 10 Best Special Needs Schools in Apex, North Carolina (2026)

Apex, NCAges 2-56:1 ratio

Al-Manara means lighthouse in Arabic, and since 2010 our preschool at the Apex Mosque has offered an English-based program with a strong Islamic foundation for children ages 3 to 5. Class runs each weekday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 12:50 p.m., with breaks for government and religious holidays. Each morning blends Quran and Islamic Studies, Arabic pre-reading through phonics and storytelling, and preschool math, science and English language skills. Children learn through hands-on projects and Montessori activities. Our small team includes a school director with an elementary education background, an English teacher with a degree in child development, an Arabic and Quran teacher, and an Islamic Studies teacher. The mosque campus also houses the Al-Ihssan weekend and after-school programs, a youth center, a kids playground and a multipurpose hall with a gym. For summer, children ages 4 to 9 can join the mosque's five-week summer program, which mixes Islamic values with science, art, cooking, storytelling and water play. We keep tuition affordable so Islamic preschool education stays within reach of families across the Triangle.

Islamic preschool
Islamic education
Speech therapy
Montessori

Apex Elite School

Apex, NCGrades K-128:1 ratio

Apex Elite School is a fully online private school for kindergarten through 12th grade, headquartered in Apex and founded in June 2022. Students learn from home through our learning management system, which covers every grade from K to 12, and the school year runs in four quarters starting in mid-August. Our core curriculum follows the Common Core standards. Students in grades 1 to 5 read with HMH Into Reading and grades 6 to 12 use HMH Collections, while math runs on Go Math from kindergarten through grade 7 and Integrated Math from grade 8. We add IXL practice for grades 1 to 11, the Highlights Library reading program for grades 1 to 5, and MAP testing for grades 3 to 11. Students choose a second language from Arabic, French and German, and high schoolers can take psychology, economics, and business and accounting. High school students take eight subjects a year and earn 24.5 credits to graduate, including computer, physical education, and art or music. We accept online applications from May through July.

Private online school (K-12)
Online school
World languages
Private school

Apex Peak Schools Montessori Preschool

Apex, NCAges 2-66:1 ratio

Apex Peak Schools Montessori Preschool in Apex, North Carolina, is a private authentic Montessori early learning center and kindergarten preparatory academy established in 2010 to serve children from 2 to 6 years old across western Wake County. Emphasizing a small-school community design with an intimate 6:1 student-to-guide ratio, the preschool features multi-age prepared environments equipped with self-correcting Montessori sensorial, mathematical, language, and cultural materials. Certified guides respect each child's intrinsic developmental timeline, scaffolding concentration, executive functioning, and spatial awareness. The academy provides a calm, low-distraction setting particularly nurturing for early learners with sensory processing differences, speech delays, and emerging neurodivergent profiles.

Preschool
Montessori
Sensory support
Practical Life & Independence Formation

Eigen Sciences

Apex, NCGrades 9-12

Eigen Sciences is dedicated to empowering high school and premed students who have a strong interest in scientific research. The school provides a unique platform where students can engage in hands-on research across various fields, including cancer, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and drug discovery. With a focus on personalized mentorship, students receive one-on-one guidance from award-winning scientists and experts, ensuring that their individual interests and career aspirations are at the forefront of their learning experience. The program not only enhances students' scientific knowledge but also equips them with essential skills in research methodology, writing, and presentation. What sets Eigen Sciences apart is its commitment to fostering a supportive community that celebrates achievement through participation in state, national, and international competitions. With a low student-to-mentor ratio and an emphasis on collaboration, Eigen Sciences creates an environment where aspiring scientists can thrive and make meaningful contributions to their fields of interest.

Education center
Private school

International Kids Club, Apex

Apex, NCAges 2-5

International Kids Club, Apex is an early-childhood program in Apex, North Carolina for families exploring preschool and pre-K options while planning for autism, speech delays, developmental needs, or learning-difference supports. Parents often compare programs like this when deciding on classroom fit, daily structure, and early intervention next steps. Submit an inquiry through Special Needs USA to ask about age ranges, schedules, tuition, enrollment, and available supports.

Education center
Private school

Ivybrook Academy Apex

Apex, NCAges 2-5

We offer a part-day preschool experience for children from 18 months through age six. Our classrooms blend Montessori and Reggio Emilia ideas, giving young children time to explore, work independently, create and build early academic, social and emotional skills.

Preschool
Private school

Jordan Lake School of the Arts student working on a floral art project

JLSA/Jordan Lake School of the Arts

Jordan Lake School of the Arts (JLSA) is a nurturing educational environment dedicated to supporting students who thrive outside the conventional educational framework. With a core mission to celebrate individuality and creativity, JLSA serves children with diverse learning needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental challenges. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to education, fostering both academic and artistic growth. JLSA offers a range of specialized programs designed to meet the unique needs of its students. Key offerings include individualized education plans (IEPs), speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and social skills groups. The school employs evidence-based methodologies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and the Orton-Gillingham approach to enhance learning outcomes. Additionally, JLSA provides art and music therapy, allowing students to express themselves creatively while developing essential life skills. What sets Jordan Lake School of the Arts apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention and support for each child. The campus is designed to be a safe and inspiring space, equipped with specialized technology to aid learning. JLSA also emphasizes community integration and offers vocational training programs, preparing students for future independence. With summer programs that continue to engage students in meaningful ways, JLSA stands out as a beacon of hope and opportunity for families seeking the best educational and therapeutic options for their children.

Special education school
Autism
developmental challenges
Learning differences

Montessori Creative Learning School

Apex, NCAges 2-5

Montessori Creative Learning School (MCLS) in Apex, NC, is dedicated to fostering a nurturing environment for young learners aged 18 months to 6 years, including those with diverse needs and varying abilities. Embracing the foundational principles of Montessori education, MCLS prioritizes a hands-on, child-led approach that encourages independence, creativity, and a genuine love for learning. The school features thoughtfully prepared classrooms led by experienced educators who focus on the individual growth of each child. MCLS stands out for its commitment to inclusivity and emotional development within a supportive community that celebrates every child's unique journey. With a low student-teacher ratio, families can expect personalized attention and strong partnerships that enhance the educational experience. This holistic approach not only promotes academic success but also nurtures social skills and emotional well-being, making MCLS a distinctive choice for parents seeking an enriching early childhood education.

Montessori school
Private school

Peace Montessori School

Apex, NCGrades PreK-5

At Peace Montessori School in Apex, Montessori-certified teachers guide children’s learning and work closely with parents. Our classrooms include a toddler program and a multi-age class for children ages 3–6. We use Montessori learning environments to support children’s exploration and development. Our teachers plan with attention to each child’s needs, connecting academic, physical and personal growth.

Preschool

Peak Charter Academy

Apex, NCElementary (K-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12)

At Peak Charter Academy, we are a tuition-free public charter school serving grades K–8. Our program includes core academics, art, music, physical education, Spanish, and the EXCEL-ERATE advanced learning program. We provide special education and related services, accommodations written into students’ IEPs and Section 504 plans, and small-group instruction for students who need additional academic support. Families can contact our team to discuss their child’s needs, the evaluation process, and how services are arranged.

Public charter school
K-8

Other Special Needs Schools in Apex

Preschool for the Arts at APA

$208 to $475 per month (2026-27)

Ages 2-5

Dance and music are daily specials at Preschool for the Arts, included at no extra cost, and the arts carry through the rest of our day as well. We are the preschool program of the Academy for the Performing Arts in Apex, serving children from age 2 through pre-kindergarten. Our play-based curriculum follows the North Carolina Early Learning Standards and the state's kindergarten readiness requirements, covering STEM, language and literacy, social skills and physical development through painting, music, dance and theater. Teachers use Conscious Discipline to build problem solving and self-regulation, and our ratios keep classes smaller than state rules allow. Children of every ability level are welcome here, and members of our teaching team have special education training and classroom experience. For 2026-27, the 2s class meets Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 for $208 a month. The 3s class runs 9:00 to 1:00, three days for $358 a month or five days for $475, and the 4s class offers the same three-day and five-day options. Classes follow a traditional school-year calendar, summer programs run by the week, and parents receive written evaluations twice a year.

Arts-integrated preschool

Dance and music specials

Conscious Discipline

Small class sizes

Right On Track Age Center

Track out periods, summer breaks and the hours before and after school are the parts of the calendar we serve at Right On Track. Our school age care and enrichment programs give children time to play, experiment and explore their interests during those intervals. Families can compare the camp options, before and after school care, activities and rates to choose a program that matches their schedule. Group projects connect that care with hands on learning. We use educational toys and games to encourage children's curiosity and imagination, with opportunities to discover individual talents through the things they do. Projects ask children to practice skills together and build on their classroom learning through play. Our activities combine enjoyment and exploration with that practice, so children can continue working with ideas and skills outside their regular classes. Before and after school programs, track out care and summer camp all include this combination of play and learning as part of the time children spend at our center.

Learning differences

Private school

Thales Academy Apex JH/HS

Grades PreK-12

Thales Academy Apex JH/HS is a high school in Apex, North Carolina serving middle and high school grades. Families researching school options for children with IEPs, learning differences, autism, ADHD, or disability-related support needs often compare public and private campuses in this area when looking for the right academic and social fit. Submit an inquiry through Special Needs USA to ask about enrollment, grade levels, and available student support services.

Private school

Thales Academy Apex K-5

Thales Academy is a distinguished network of private schools dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable education for students from Pre-K through 12th grade. With campuses strategically located across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, the academy's core mission centers on empowering students to achieve academic excellence while fostering character development and equipping them with essential real-world skills. Thales Academy serves a diverse student body, including those with unique learning needs, through a classical curriculum that emphasizes Direct Instruction methodologies. This approach ensures that each student receives personalized attention and support tailored to their individual learning styles. What sets Thales Academy apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, which enhances the learning experience and fosters strong partnerships with families. The school also features specialized facilities designed to support various educational needs and hosts unique community events that promote engagement among students, parents, and staff alike. By prioritizing both academic rigor and character formation, Thales Academy creates an environment where every student can thrive in their educational journey and beyond.

Private school

TMSA Apex - The Math and Science Academy of Apex (K-7)

Grades K-8

Our Apex campus is a tuition-free public charter school serving kindergarten through eighth grade. At TMSA, science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics connect academic learning with problem-solving and character development. Students take part in school and extracurricular activities, including math contests, Science Olympiad and robotics. Our school community brings teachers and families into students' learning and recognizes responsibility and leadership alongside academic work.

Kindergarten

TMSA Triangle Apex 7-12 Campus

Grades K-12

At TMSA Triangle’s Apex campus, STEAM learning connects science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. We combine academic work with character education, social-emotional learning and family support. Our academic departments include biomedical science, computer science and AI, engineering and robotics, arts, world languages, and business and finance. Students can explore pathways toward further education and careers while developing responsibility within their school community.