Top 8 Best Special Needs Schools in Concord, North Carolina (2026)

Branch Christian Academy is a Christian homeschool and community program serving families in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. We support home-educating families with coursework and a shared learning community. Our 2026–27 curriculum covers grades 1–8. We support home-educating families through coursework and a shared learning community. Families can choose from publisher-based coursework and electives as they plan their students’ learning. Branch offers a community setting for families who want educational resources and opportunities to learn alongside others while maintaining a home-education model. We are based in Cabarrus County and provide a way for local families to connect around their students’ learning. Parents can contact Branch Christian Academy to learn how the curriculum works, which electives are available, and whether the program fits their home-education plans. We offer coursework for grades 1–8 in the 2026–27 school year. Contact us to ask about electives, participation, and options for a student outside this range.

• Study at home school
• Financial aid
• Accredited
• 1st

Carolina International School (CIS) in Concord, North Carolina, is a tuition-free public charter school founded in 2004 that delivers an environmental science and globally focused K-12 education for over 800 students across Cabarrus and Mecklenburg counties. Situated on an 80-acre nature campus complete with wetlands, streams, and walking trails, CIS integrates environmental stewardship into every academic discipline. Maintaining a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, the school offers Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, international cultural studies, and competitive athletics. CIS provides a robust Exceptional Children (EC) department, delivering certified special education services, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and 504 accommodations in an inclusive, nature-rich setting.

• Charter school
• 80-Acre Environmental Science Campus
• K-12 Global Perspectives & World Languages
• Exceptional Children (EC) Support Services

Concord Academy in Concord, North Carolina, is an accredited private Christian college-preparatory day school founded in 1976 that serves over 700 students from preschool through 12th grade (ages 3–18) across Cabarrus and northern Mecklenburg counties. Dual-accredited by Cognia and ACSI, Concord Academy pairs rigorous academics with biblical worldview integration, offering extensive Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, championship athletics, fine arts, and STEM labs with an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Through its Academic Support Program (ASP), dedicated learning specialists provide structured tutoring, individualized testing accommodations, and executive functioning coaching for students with diagnosed learning differences and ADHD.

• Religious school
• College Preparatory Excellence (Pre-K - 12)
• ADHD
• Advanced Placement (AP) & STEM Courses

At Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College, students take high school courses alongside classes at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Our program is designed so students can earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree in four years. College courses are taught by RCCC instructors.

• High school

Failure Free Reading is a specialized intervention program dedicated to enhancing vocabulary and reading comprehension among students who struggle with literacy, particularly those with language-based learning disabilities and other special needs. Serving students from kindergarten through high school, the program is designed to meet the unique challenges faced by struggling readers, including those who are non-readers or have low self-esteem regarding their reading abilities. The methodology developed by Dr. Joe Lockavitch focuses on teaching critical academic vocabulary through connected text, ensuring that students engage with material that is both accessible and meaningful. This approach emphasizes abundant repetition and appropriate sentence structure, which are vital for fostering reading success in chronically struggling learners. What sets Failure Free Reading apart is its proven ability to deliver immediate results; students often experience significant improvements in their reading skills and confidence after just one lesson. With a commitment to nurturing self-esteem alongside academic growth, the program not only prioritizes literacy development but also fosters a positive reading attitude, making it a trusted resource for educators and families alike.

• Educational institution
• Learning differences

The International Center for Community Development (ICCD) in Concord, North Carolina, is committed to enhancing the lives of youth and families in the community, particularly those who are low-income, underserved, at-risk, or disadvantaged. The center focuses on promoting community and economic development through a holistic approach that includes after-school tutoring, summer programs, and adult learning initiatives. By fostering personal growth and social values in young individuals, ICCD aims to empower them with the necessary tools to achieve their goals and improve their overall quality of life. What sets ICCD apart is its strong emphasis on collaboration with local communities and volunteers who actively contribute to various programs throughout the year. This unique blend of support not only enriches the educational experience but also strengthens family partnerships and community ties. With a mission centered on uplifting both youth and families, ICCD stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity within its community.

• Education center
• Private school

Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academy of Concord is dedicated to providing a nurturing, secure, and educational environment for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. The academy's core mission is to support the growth of young learners into responsible, considerate, and contributing members of society. With an emphasis on fostering physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development through play and exploration, the school welcomes positive family involvement and prioritizes a parent-teacher partnership that ensures each child's unique needs are met. The curriculum at Kids 'R' Kids is designed specifically for various developmental stages, featuring innovative theme-based units and engaging activities that stimulate learning. The academy stands out with its commitment to safety and peace of mind for families, offering features such as state-of-the-art security measures, live-stream cameras for parental oversight, and an exceptional low student-to-teacher ratio. Additionally, as a family-owned institution with on-site ownership, Kids 'R' Kids emphasizes strong community ties and personalized care that fosters a sense of belonging among students and their families.

• Preschool
• Private school

Performance Learning Center (PLC) in Concord, North Carolina, is a specialized non-traditional public high school program operated by Cabarrus County Schools in partnership with Communities In Schools (CIS). Serving students in grades 9 through 12 who require an alternative to traditional high school settings, PLC provides a business-like, small-group academic environment focused on self-paced mastery learning, credit recovery, and career readiness. Certified educators work with students in low student-to-staff ratios (8:1) to accelerate graduation requirements, provide special education accommodations, and facilitate post-secondary transitions to college, technical careers, or the workforce.

• High school
• At-Risk & Non-Traditional Learners
• Credit Recovery & Dropout Prevention
• Learning Accommodations