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Best Special Needs Schools in Worthington, Ohio (2026)

Compare 3 special needs schools in Worthington. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Worthington

1

Thomas Worthington High School

Listed
Worthington, OHGrades 9-12Tuition-free

Thomas Worthington High School is one of the high schools of Worthington Schools, and our students go by the Cardinals. The arts are a large part of campus life. Cardinal Theatre stages a full season in its Blackbox and in Hottenroth Auditorium, and our jazz and marching bands perform through the fall. Students also join National Honor Society, Community Service Club, Diversity Club, Girls of Colors, Cards4Kids, PURPOSE, and the Cardinal yearbook, and our athletes compete in the OCC with OhioHealth sports medicine support and the CARDS, Inc. booster club behind them. Worthington Schools provides special education services to students ages 3 through 21 under IDEA, including related services, transition services, and Section 504 plans. District gifted services, Advanced Placement exams, English language learner support, and pre-apprenticeship programs are open to our students.

  • Public high school
  • Theatre
  • Marching and jazz band
  • Public school
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2

Worthington Christian School

Listed
Worthington, OHGrades K-12

Worthington Christian School, located in Columbus, Ohio, is dedicated to providing a Christ-centered K-12 education that emphasizes the importance of faith, learning, and community. Serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade, the school supports a diverse range of learners, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The educational approach is holistic and nurturing, focusing on both academic excellence and spiritual growth. With an average class size of 22 in the Lower School, students receive personalized attention that fosters their development through hands-on learning experiences. The curriculum is enriched by weekly chapel services and a variety of subjects such as art, music, and physical education. In the Upper School, students are encouraged to pursue leadership roles and engage in advanced placement courses, with impressive outcomes reflected in college acceptances and AP exam scores. What sets Worthington Christian apart is its commitment to cultivating a grace-filled community where families are actively involved in their children's education. This strong partnership between educators and families enhances the overall learning experience while promoting values that extend beyond academics into lifelong relationships grounded in faith.

  • High school
  • Learning differences
  • Twice-exceptional
  • Private school
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3

Worthington Schools Education Center

Listed
Worthington, OHGrades PreK-12

Worthington Schools is dedicated to empowering a diverse community of learners, including students with unique needs such as language-based learning disabilities and those who are twice-exceptional. The school embraces an inclusive mission, serving students from early childhood through high school, ensuring that every child has access to a supportive and enriching educational environment. Worthington Schools employs a variety of innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies tailored to meet the individual needs of its students. With a focus on personalized learning experiences, the school promotes collaboration between educators, families, and specialists to foster academic and social growth. What sets Worthington Schools apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which allows for more individualized attention and support. Additionally, the school actively engages families through partnerships and community events, creating a strong network of support that enhances the educational journey for all students. This holistic approach not only prepares students for academic success but also equips them with the skills necessary to thrive in their communities.

  • Education center
  • Learning differences
  • Twice-exceptional
  • Private school
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Nearby school options

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Planning guides

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Comparing school options in Worthington

Worthington Schools provides special education to students ages 3 through 21. For preschoolers, the hub is Sutter Park Preschool, home of the district's Early Childhood Program, where classrooms mix children with IEPs and typically developing peers who act as role models. Service follows the district boundary, not a mailing address, so check your address with Ohio's district lookup.

Sutter Park offers more than one model. Most classes are half day with a mix of children on IEPs and peer models. A smaller program called Foundations serves children whose IEPs show more intense needs, and a cross-categorical classroom adds a few peers. Children who do not need a center-based class can receive itinerant services at Sutter Park, in a private preschool or at home. Speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy and adapted physical education are provided when the IEP calls for them.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Worthington

What preschool options does Worthington Schools offer for children with IEPs?
Sutter Park Preschool runs half-day classes that pair children on IEPs with typically developing peers, a Foundations program for children with more intense needs and no peer models, and a cross-categorical classroom with a few peers. Families who do not choose a center-based class, or whose goals can be met another way, may receive itinerant teacher services at Sutter Park, a private preschool or home.
How do I request a preschool evaluation in Worthington?
Contact the district's special education department and ask for a preschool evaluation. Under Ohio rules, the district has 30 days from your referral to decide whether to evaluate and must tell you in writing. If you consent, the evaluation must be finished within 60 days, and an eligible child's IEP follows within 30 days. Our evaluation guide explains each step.
Who decides whether my child goes to the Foundations program?
The IEP team. Sutter Park places children in Foundations based on the intense needs identified in their IEPs, and the same rule applies to other settings. You are a member of that team. Bring observations, outside reports and questions to the meeting. Our IEP guide covers how placement decisions work.
Can Worthington families use Ohio's Autism Scholarship?
Yes, if the child qualifies. The Autism Scholarship lets parents choose a special education program other than the district's. A child qualifies with a district autism IEP, or with a private autism diagnosis reflected in an IEP or Autism Education Plan written by the district of residence. A child can apply upon turning three, after enrolling with a participating provider.

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