Top 5 Best Special Needs Schools in The Dalles, Oregon (2026)

Chenowith Elementary School on Chenowith Loop Road is home to the two-way Spanish and English Dual Language Immersion program in North Wasco County School District. Half of each immersion class are native Spanish speakers and half are native English or other language speakers, learning together in the same classroom. Our immersion students start in kindergarten and spend about 80 percent of the day in Spanish and 20 percent in English through second grade. In third grade instruction shifts to 60 percent Spanish, and in fourth and fifth grade it is split evenly. Students study the same grade-level curriculum as their peers while building reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in both languages. The kindergarten class has 26 seats, split between native Spanish speakers and native English speakers, and families must live in the Chenowith attendance zone to apply. The program continues at The Dalles Middle School and High School with Spanish Language Arts, and high school students can work toward a Bilingual Seal on their diploma. Our Booster Club supports school activities.

• Public elementary school (K-5)
• Speech therapy
• Bilingual and biliterate instruction
• Public school

Services for Developmental Disabilities Oregon is dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities by fostering meaningful lives through comprehensive case management. This organization serves a diverse range of clients, including children and adults, who may have various diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorders or intellectual disabilities. With a holistic approach, the focus is on person-centered support that prioritizes the unique health and safety needs of each individual and their family. The organization provides an array of essential services, including assistance with accessing in-home and community resources, residential placements, and employment supports. By promoting self-determination, it encourages adults to engage in a supported decision-making process while also guiding families of children in navigating available community supports. The case management team works collaboratively to identify natural supports within the community and explore Medicaid-funded options that best fit each individual’s needs. What sets Services for Developmental Disabilities Oregon apart is its commitment to low caseloads that facilitate personalized attention, ensuring that every client receives tailored support. Additionally, the organization fosters strong partnerships with families throughout the process, enhancing communication and collaboration. Serving seven counties in Oregon—Josephine, Curry, Coos, Douglas, Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River—this organization is deeply embedded in the local communities it serves, making it a vital resource for families seeking comprehensive support for their loved ones with developmental disabilities.

• Association / Organization
• Autism
• Intellectual disability
• Private school

Dry Hollow Elementary is one of three neighborhood elementary schools in North Wasco County School District 21 in The Dalles, serving kindergarten through 5th grade. Our students are the Dry Hollow Vikings, and our creed asks every Viking to be respectful, safe and responsible. We are a Title I school, and families take part through our PTA, our School Site Council and Title I family nights. Students use our school library, and the district provides bus service, school meals, English learner support, a talented and gifted program, summer programs, and migrant and American Indian education services. The district's After School Academy gives students in grades 2 to 5 an afternoon mix of academic enrichment, movement, STEM and life skills, funded in part by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant. On-site programming at Dry Hollow is coming; until it opens, our students attend the Chenowith site. Families in our attendance zone can also apply to transfer into the district's two-way Spanish and English dual language immersion program at Chenowith Elementary when space allows.

• Public elementary school
• Public school

Hope Academy is a nurturing homeschool co-op designed for students in grades K4 through 8th, focusing on enriching the educational journey of children while supporting parents in their homeschooling efforts. The academy serves a diverse range of learners, including those with unique educational needs, providing a safe and loving environment where each child can thrive. With a mission that emphasizes the application of Biblical principles across all aspects of life, Hope Academy fosters not only academic growth but also the development of strong Christian character and a lifelong love for God, family, community, and country. The school offers engaging programs that include hands-on education experiences such as cooking projects, outdoor adventures, and creative arts, ensuring that learning remains fun and interactive. Unique to Hope Academy is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, which allows for personalized attention and tailored instruction to meet individual needs. Additionally, the school actively encourages family involvement through community events like ice cream socials and field trips, creating a supportive network that feels more like family than just an educational institution.

• Educational institution
• Private school

Playful Learning is a Reggio-inspired preschool dedicated to nurturing the growth and development of children aged 2 to 5 years. Located in a warm and inviting environment, the school operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, with an enriching after-school program available until 4:30 PM. At Playful Learning, the mission is to foster a safe and stimulating atmosphere that encourages open-ended exploration and curiosity, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to cover core subjects such as math, science, language arts, and social studies while promoting creativity and exploration through hands-on activities. A unique aspect of Playful Learning is its emphasis on outdoor experiences, ensuring that children spend significant time in nature every day, regardless of weather conditions. The school prides itself on building strong partnerships with families, recognizing that collaborative relationships between educators and parents are crucial for developing a vibrant learning community. With a low student-teacher ratio and dedicated staff members like Teacher Eliza, who has over a decade of experience in early childhood education, children receive personalized attention tailored to their individual needs. This commitment to fostering long-term relationships allows teachers to deeply understand each child's unique personality and learning style. What sets Playful Learning apart is not only its focus on academic readiness but also its ability to inspire wonder and inquiry in children through dynamic environments that change regularly"”transforming classrooms into grocery stores or magical forests. This holistic approach ensures that children not only prepare for kindergarten but also thrive socially and emotionally within a supportive community.

• Preschool
• Private school