Top 7 Best Special Needs Schools in Gresham, Oregon (2026)

All About Kids Preschool is dedicated to nurturing young minds aged 3 to 4 years old, particularly those with special needs and diverse backgrounds. The school's core mission centers on creating a safe and supportive environment where children can connect, learn, grow, and dream. With a strong emphasis on social-emotional development, the curriculum promotes independence and fosters meaningful relationships among peers. All About Kids Preschool adopts an inclusive approach, tailoring educational strategies to meet the unique needs of each child while maintaining open communication with families. This commitment to individualized learning is complemented by a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention that enhances each child's educational experience. The school also values family partnerships, recognizing that collaboration between parents and educators is vital for a child's success in their early years and beyond. With two conveniently located facilities in Gresham near Butler Creek, All About Kids Preschool stands out for its holistic approach to early childhood education, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a nurturing and enriching environment for their children.

• Preschool
• Private school

Bilingual First Steps Education offers a nurturing and innovative learning environment tailored for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, particularly those with unique educational needs. Committed to high-quality education, the school embraces the Reggio Emilia philosophy, promoting a child-centered approach that fosters self-expression, logical thinking, problem-solving, and independence. Through an immersive English/Spanish program that introduces a second language as early as three months old, children are encouraged to explore their interests in a creative and artistic setting. The curriculum emphasizes nature-based play and utilizes natural, open-ended materials to stimulate curiosity and imagination while avoiding plastic toys. This methodology not only supports academic exploration but also cultivates social and emotional skills essential for developing kindness and empathy. With a focus on continuity of care for both children and parents, Bilingual First Steps Education stands out through its commitment to individualized attention in a low student-teacher ratio environment, strong family partnerships, and an emphasis on artistic expression that values each child's unique creativity.

• Preschool
• Private school
• Reggio Emilia

The Center for Advanced Learning (CAL) is a pioneering educational institution dedicated to nurturing creativity, innovation, and a passion for lifelong learning among high school students in Oregon. Serving students in grades 11 and 12, CAL focuses on those eager to explore their interests and develop essential skills, particularly those with diverse learning needs, including language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The school's core mission is to foster an environment where curiosity meets opportunity, empowering students to think big and take creative risks. CAL offers a unique blend of hands-on, career-connected learning experiences through its specialized Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Students engage in real-world projects and college-level coursework in high-demand fields such as health sciences, engineering, and digital media. This approach not only allows students to earn college credits but also helps them build professional networks and gain confidence in their abilities to lead and make meaningful contributions to their communities. What sets CAL apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention and support for each student. The school fosters strong partnerships with families and local industry leaders, creating a collaborative environment that enhances the educational experience. With a 99% graduation rate and a focus on authentic, bold, and future-ready learning, CAL stands as a beacon for students seeking to thrive in both academic and professional realms.

• High school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Public school

Champions is dedicated to providing enriching before and after school programs, as well as comprehensive out-of-school time options, specifically designed for children in grades K-6 and preschoolers. The core mission centers on creating a nurturing environment that supports the unique needs of each child, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The school employs a variety of innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies that focus on holistic development, fostering both academic growth and social-emotional skills. Champions stands out due to its low student-teacher ratio, which allows for personalized attention and tailored support. Additionally, strong family partnerships are emphasized, ensuring that parents are actively engaged in their child's educational journey. With specialized facilities and community events that promote inclusivity and connection, Champions creates a vibrant atmosphere where every child can thrive.

• After school program
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional

Gordon Russell Middle School is a Gresham-Barlow School District middle school on Southeast Powell Valley Road, home of the Thunderbirds. Alongside core math, science, social studies and language arts, we offer electives in art, AVID, band, choir, health, physical education, and science and technology. Students are organized by grade with assigned school counselors, and we stress developmentally appropriate middle-level teaching, integrated curriculum and real choices for students in their own learning. Seventh and eighth graders compete in school volleyball and other sports. Our SUN Community School, run by Metropolitan Family Services, keeps the building open after classes with academic enrichment, recreation and social services. SUN offers three sessions of extended-day activities each school year, Monday through Thursday from 3:35 to 5:30 p.m., plus a youth summer program in July and classes for adults. Community partners including the YMCA and local youth leagues add more after-school sports options.

• Public middle school
• AVID
• Public school

Reading comes first at Gresham Arthur Academy. We are a tuition-free public charter school for kindergarten through 5th grade, and we teach reading, math, spelling and language through Direct Instruction, a tightly sequenced, mastery-based set of programs that breaks each skill into small steps with rapid pacing, choral responses and individual turns. Our goal is for every student to become a fluent reader, whatever their background, native language or learning difference. Kindergarten and 1st grade students get small-group reading instruction, and all kindergartners learn to read and do fundamental math. Teachers trained in the Direct Instruction programs, including Beginning Reading and Connecting Math Concepts, move students forward as they master each lesson. We are one of six small Arthur Academy charter schools in the Portland area, a network that opened its first school in 2002. Our classrooms use positive behavior management, and a designated 504 coordinator handles accommodations for students with disabilities. Because each school is small, we can deliver these specialized programs the way they were designed.

• Public charter school (K-5)
• Direct Instruction
• Mastery learning
• Early reading

Springwater Trail High School is a public high school in Gresham with an Early College option for students in grades 11 and 12. Students can take courses at Mount Hood Community College and earn both high school and college credit. The school provides a campus contact team and counselor support for students considering this pathway.

• High school
• Private school