Top 4 Best Special Needs Schools in Sanford, North Carolina (2026)

We are a Christ-centered, coeducational private school in Sanford serving K4 through grade 12. Our school combines academic learning with Christian character and service. At Lee Christian School, teachers adapt learning and guidance to individual students while families take part in the school community. Faith is part of lessons and everyday relationships, with opportunities for students to put service into practice.

• Private school
• Pre-K4
• Kindergarten
• 1

At Ascend Leadership Academy in Sanford, students in grades 5 to 12 attend our tuition-free charter campus, while grades 6 to 11 can enroll in our Remote Academy. We use project-based instruction with a focus on digital media and real-world learning. Students can join athletics, performing arts, e-sports, and other activities, and high school students can explore dual enrollment with Central Carolina Community College. Our school day runs from 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

• Charter school
• Project-Based Digital Innovation
• Computer Science & Aviation Pathways
• Exceptional Children (EC) Support Services

First Baptist Weekday Education Center is a nonprofit, half-day preschool in Sanford that has been open for more than 30 years. We take children from age one through four, and every classroom has a lead teacher and an assistant. Our staff of 19 brings a combined 312 years of teaching. Each age has its own focus. One-year-olds work on sharing, music, art, dance and motor skills. Two-year-olds get their first taste of a structured classroom, and threes start on letters, numbers, writing their names and cutting. Our 4-year-old classes are the most structured, using the Letterland curriculum that lines up with Lee County Schools to get children ready for kindergarten. Children attend chapel twice a week for a Bible lesson with songs, movement and stories. Families choose Tuesday and Thursday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or five-day schedules, with 2026-27 monthly tuition from $155 to $350 plus an $80 yearly enrollment fee. For potty-trained 2s, 3s and 4s, Early Morning drop-off starts at 7:50 a.m. and Lunch Bunch adds playtime with pickup at 1:00 p.m., each for $5 a day.

• Church preschool (half-day)
• Kindergarten readiness
• Letterland curriculum
• Low staff turnover

At St. Luke Preschool in Sanford, we offer classes for 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds, with two-, three-, and five-day schedules. Our days include classroom learning, outdoor play, and weekly music; children ages 2–4 also attend chapel. For Lee County residents, speech therapy can be provided through Lee County Schools at no cost. Please speak with us before enrollment about your child’s developmental needs, classroom routines, and any accommodations you are seeking.

• Preschool