Top 10 Best Special Needs Schools in Salem, Oregon (2026)

A Little Dreamer's Child Care Center in Salem offers preschool, kindergarten prep, and care before and after school. The preschool and kindergarten-prep classes meet at the center, so a child is not riding to a separate school for that part of the day. Families can use ERDC, Child Care Aware, and other assistance programs. The center does not charge a yearly registration fee or a deposit. A tour is how families see the classrooms before they enroll. Parents in the Willamette Valley have voted the center Best Child Care and Best Preschool for seven years in a row.

• Preschool
• Learning differences
• Private school

Bush Elementary is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for its diverse student body, catering specifically to children from kindergarten through fifth grade. The school's mission focuses on addressing the unique educational needs of students, including those with language-based learning disabilities and other exceptionalities. Bush Elementary employs a variety of innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies designed to support each child's individual learning journey. Among these offerings is the Dual Language Program, set to launch for kindergarteners in the 2024-2025 school year, which emphasizes bilingual education and cultural enrichment. Additionally, the school prioritizes mental wellness through dedicated resources that provide students with hope and support during challenging times. What truly sets Bush Elementary apart is its commitment to low student-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention for every child, as well as strong partnerships with families that enhance the educational experience. The school also hosts unique community events that foster engagement and connection among students, parents, and staff alike, creating a vibrant school culture that celebrates diversity and inclusivity.

• Elementary school
• Learning differences
• other exceptionalities
• Private school

Candalaria Elementary School enrolls about 340 children from kindergarten through fifth grade in Salem. Students can attend full-day kindergarten, and families can use before- and after-school child care. The school is known as the Huskies.

• Elementary school
• Public school

Hayesville Elementary opened in 1963 and takes its name from Salem's Hayesville area, which was named for President Rutherford B. Hayes. Today we serve kindergarten through fifth grade with an average enrollment of around 460 students, and our Tigers wear purple and black. Our Dual Language Program began in kindergarten and first grade, and bilingual services are available to families. We also offer a Native Education program, a music program and Talented and Gifted services. Through Salem-Keizer Public Schools, students have access to English learner support, migrant education, McKinney-Vento services and special education. Special education referrals start at the neighborhood school, where a team that can include a school psychologist, speech clinician, occupational therapist or behavior specialist completes evaluations. We serve breakfast and lunch each school day, and bus service is available for riders.

• Public elementary school
• Public school

Houck Middle School is home to the Huskies, a traditional Salem-Keizer middle school serving about 950 students in grades 6 to 8 in Salem. Bilingual services are available for families, and breakfast and lunch are offered at no cost. Our Career and Technical Education courses give students early, hands-on exposure to future careers through audio production, engineering, family and consumer sciences, video, media and art, plus a Paxton-Patterson career exploration lab. Music is a big part of school life, with choir and mariachi concerts in our main gym and audition-based All-City Honors band, orchestra and choir concerts across the district. Students identified as academically talented or intellectually gifted receive district Talented and Gifted (TAG) services, and we also host a Native Education Program. Houck athletes compete in football and volleyball for 7th and 8th graders, and cross country, wrestling, basketball, track and field, and soccer open to all grades. Counseling staff support students with mental wellness resources, and bus service is available for eligible riders.

• Public middle school (grades 6 to 8)
• Gifted and talented
• Career and technical education
• Choir and mariachi

Fieldwork gives Jane Goodall Environmental Middle School students a way to study the environment while meeting Oregon's academic standards. The public charter school belongs to the Salem-Keizer district and uses an integrated curriculum, bringing classroom subjects together through environmental projects rather than treating those projects as an occasional add-on.

• Middle school
• Charter school

Leslie Middle School is a traditional middle school in Salem serving students in grades 6 to 8, with an average enrollment of about 765 students. We are part of Salem-Keizer Public Schools and a Title I school. Our AVID program helps students build the habits they need for college, and our Career Technical Education courses introduce career skills in the middle grades. Students can also join our music program, athletics including cross country, and before and after school clubs. We offer Talented and Gifted services, the Native Education Program, and support for students experiencing homelessness through the McKinney-Vento program. Mental wellness and crisis resources are available to students and families, and the district provides bus transportation and school breakfast and lunch.

• Public middle school
• AVID college readiness
• Public school

Roberts is Salem-Keizer Public Schools' options school for students who want a smaller setting, flexible scheduling or a more personal approach. Our Spartans finish high school with a diploma or a GED, and they enroll by referral from a school counselor, mentor or graduation coach. Our high school shares Buildings 50 and 51 with Early College High School on the Chemeketa Community College campus. Students choose from three-week accelerated courses, fully online classes, hands-on and project-based courses, college courses and GED preparation. Small classes, integrated advising, internships, mental health resources and onsite childcare for student parents help students stay on track. We also run credit recovery summer school. Roberts operates several sites. Roberts Middle School at Riverfront focuses on relationships and social-emotional development, Roberts Structured Learning Center on State Street is an alternative program for middle and high school students, and our GED program at the Downtown Learning Center accepts students through the Roberts Clearinghouse process. Counseling covers college and career planning, financial aid, apprenticeships, and the ASPIRE mentor program.

• Public alternative high school
• Alternative education
• Small class sizes
• Flexible scheduling

Waldo Middle School serves students in grades 6–8 in Salem, Oregon. The school emphasizes rigorous learning, critical and compassionate thinking, and positive social interactions. Students can access bilingual services, counseling, and social work, including academic and career planning, crisis support, and help with emotional, social, or behavioral challenges.

• Middle school
• Public school

Discovery Academy, nestled in Salem, is dedicated to supporting students who are ready to embark on their recovery journey while pursuing their high school diplomas. This innovative school serves adolescents facing challenges such as substance use and mental health issues, offering a unique blend of traditional academic rigor and a strong emphasis on recovery. Through personalized support and tailored programs, Discovery Academy ensures that each student feels empowered and understood, fostering an environment conducive to both educational and personal growth. The school's commitment to a low student-teacher ratio allows for individualized attention, which is complemented by active family partnerships that enhance the learning experience. Additionally, specialized facilities designed for therapeutic engagement further distinguish Discovery Academy as a nurturing space where students can thrive academically and emotionally. This holistic approach not only prepares students for graduation but also equips them with essential life skills for long-term success in their recovery and beyond.

• Education center
• Mental health issues
• Substance use
• Private school