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Top 8 Best Special Needs Schools in Beaverton, Oregon (2026)

Compare 8 special needs schools in Beaverton. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Beaverton

1

Arts & Communication Magnet Academy

Listed
Beaverton, ORGrades 6-12Tuition-free

Arts and Communication Magnet Academy was founded in 1992 as a Beaverton School District option school, and it now serves 725 students in grades 6 to 12. Students come from every part of Beaverton through an application lottery, drawn by strength or strong interest in an art form. We pair a college-prep academic program with pre-professional training in three pathways: performing arts (dance, vocal and instrumental music, theatre), visual arts (ceramics and sculpture, drawing and painting, photography) and communication arts (film, creative writing, animation and graphic design). Students take eight classes on an A/B schedule, with extended days for advanced performance groups, and can earn an ACMA endorsement in an arts career pathway alongside their district diploma. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are open to every student, including AP Studio Art and AP Music Theory. We also offer AVID, a college and career center and an ACMA Honors Scholar award for seniors.

  • Public arts magnet school (grades 6-12)
  • Performing arts
  • Visual arts
  • Communication arts
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Two young children in rain jackets standing outdoors beside a wooden fence at Happy Hollow Children's Center.
3

Happy Hollow Children's Center

Listed
Beaverton, ORGrades PreK-5

Happy Hollow Children's Center is an inclusive education program dedicated to nurturing young learners aged 30 months to 5 years, as well as providing after-school care for children in kindergarten through third grade. The school's core mission revolves around fostering each child's unique strengths and needs within a safe, engaging, and supportive environment. This commitment is reflected in their hands-on learning approach, which emphasizes child-led exploration, social and emotional support, mindfulness practices, and self-regulation skills. The dedicated educators utilize evidence-based practices to empower students and prepare them for successful transitions to their next educational stages. A distinguishing feature of Happy Hollow is its low student-teacher ratio, which enhances individualized attention and strengthens family partnerships. By offering a year-round program with thoughtfully planned activities and community events, Happy Hollow Children's Center stands out as a nurturing space where children can construct their own knowledge while being embraced for who they are.

  • Preschool
  • Private school
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4

International School of Beaverton

Listed
Beaverton, ORGrades 6-12

The International School of Beaverton brings grades 6–12 together in one public International Baccalaureate program. Students in grades 6–10 follow the Middle Years Programme; grades 11–12 offer the Diploma Programme. Eighth graders complete a Community Project, and tenth graders complete a Personal Project, giving students a chance to investigate questions and put their learning into action. ISB pairs its academic work with service and intercultural learning. Eligible students can receive special education support and IEP or 504 accommodations, while the school also offers Talented and Gifted planning and English Language Development. AVID and course options across middle and high school give students additional ways to prepare for further study. The regular 2026–27 bell schedule starts at 8:25 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m.

  • High school
  • Public school
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5

Magical Backyard School

Listed
Beaverton, ORAges 2-5

Magical Backyard School, located in Central Beaverton, is a nurturing and safe environment dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young children through a nature-based curriculum. Designed for preschool-aged children, this school serves students with diverse learning needs, including those who thrive in smaller, more individualized settings. With an emphasis on exploration and play, the curriculum integrates high-quality literature to inspire investigations into the natural world, engaging children in art, science, math, literacy, and creative play. The school features a playroom, an art studio/workshop, and a large forested yard that provides ample opportunities for outdoor learning every day, regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, access to a nearby city park enhances the exploration experience. What sets Magical Backyard School apart is its low student-teacher ratio and the personalized attention each child receives from an experienced Oregon licensed teacher. This intimate setting fosters strong relationships among students while promoting socialization and collaboration. Families appreciate the thoughtful approach to education that emphasizes hands-on learning and active engagement in a magical outdoor environment.

  • Preschool
  • Private school
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7

Safari Kid - Beaverton

Listed
Beaverton, ORGrades PreK-5

Safari Kid is dedicated to nurturing the whole child, empowering young minds from infancy through sixth grade to explore, engage, and grow in a supportive environment. With a mission to inspire a lifelong love for learning, Safari Kid serves children with diverse needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The school employs a research-rich curriculum inspired by respected educational methodologies such as Montessori and Reggio Emilia, fostering cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. At Safari Kid, play is seamlessly integrated with learning, creating a balanced approach that prioritizes individual growth while cultivating essential skills. The passionate educators focus on building nurturing relationships with each child and their family, ensuring personalized attention through regular assessments that track progress and adapt teaching strategies accordingly. The modern facilities are designed to promote creativity and imagination in both indoor and outdoor settings, providing a safe space for exploration. What sets Safari Kid apart is its unwavering commitment to whole child development within a warm and inclusive community. With low student-teacher ratios and strong family partnerships, the school creates an environment where every child feels valued and inspired to discover their unique potential. This holistic approach not only prepares children for academic success but also instills confidence and joy in the learning process.

  • Preschool
  • Learning differences
  • Twice-exceptional
  • Private school
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Nearby school options

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Planning guides

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Use these guides before you contact programs, schedule tours, or ask your IEP team how a proposed setting will support your child's goals.

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Comparing school options in Beaverton

Beaverton School District serves about 37,500 students, and families here search most for autism schools, neurodivergent-friendly schools and pre-K for autistic children, usually with a nearby option in mind. Much of that sits inside the district itself: Beaverton runs specialized classrooms built for autism-related needs, and the regional education service district handles children under kindergarten age. Charter, option and private schools round out the choices, each with different rules for services and cost.

For children younger than kindergarten, Beaverton refers families to Northwest Regional ESD, which provides Early Intervention from birth to age 3 and Early Childhood Special Education from age 3 until kindergarten. Evaluations and services are free. From kindergarten on, every standard Beaverton school has a resource room, and the same model runs in the district's charter and option schools. Students whose needs go beyond the resource room may be placed in a specialized program, which is not in every building and may mean riding to another school. Communication services alone are also available at every school for students who need only speech and language support.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Beaverton

Does Beaverton have autism programs?
Yes. The Social Communication Center serves students whose IEPs focus on social communication, emotional regulation and sensory needs, using visual systems, predictable schedules and social-cognitive instruction. The Structured Routines Center adds discrete trial and pivotal response training with a focus on communication and life skills. The IEP team decides placement and the time your child spends with general education peers.
Where can a Beaverton family find pre-K help for an autistic child?
Contact Northwest Regional ESD. Its evaluation looks at adaptive, cognitive, communication, speech, motor and social skills, and an eligible child gets services free, from home visits for toddlers to preschool support from age 3. The Oregon Screening Project offers a free online check first. For therapy outside school, see ABA therapy in Beaverton.
What does a neurodivergent-friendly classroom look like in Beaverton?
In a resource room, your child stays in general education with added specially designed instruction. In a specialized center, expect carefully planned transitions, visual supports, reduced sensory load and a behavior support plan when needed. Ask which model the IEP team recommends and why the resource room alone falls short.
How do Beaverton schools handle dyslexia and ADHD?
Oregon requires dyslexia risk screening in kindergarten, or first grade for children who enroll then, so ask your school for the results and the structured literacy program it uses. For ADHD, ask whether supports belong in a 504 plan or an IEP, and how teachers handle focus, organization and work completion.
Public, charter or private in Beaverton: how do services work?
Beaverton's two charter schools and its option schools offer resource room services, and the IEP is free. Private schools charge tuition and set admissions. Beaverton has a board policy on private school students, and under Oregon rules the district where the private school sits provides equitable services, not the full IEP.
Is there an Oregon scholarship or ESA for Beaverton students in 2026-27?
Not through any program the Oregon Department of Education describes. ODE's private school pages list no voucher, education savings account or tax-credit scholarship, and the department has no authority to regulate private schools. For a Beaverton family, district special education and NWRESD early childhood services are the free options.
What should I ask when touring a Beaverton school or program?
Ask whether your child would be in a resource room or a specialized center, and visit that room. Ask about staff licenses, adults per student, on-site speech and occupational therapy, how staff handle a hard moment, and how progress on IEP goals is reported. For a center, ask about transportation and inclusion time.
How do I request an evaluation for a school-age Beaverton child?
Write to your school or Beaverton's Special Education office describing your concerns, and the district will ask for your signed consent before testing. Homeschooled and private school students are covered by the district's Child Find duties too. Students 18 to 21 who leave with a non-standard diploma can continue in the Community Transition Program for job and life skills.

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