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

Alberta Rider Elementary School takes its name from the Tigard woman who sold her land to the Tigard-Tualatin School District in 2001 and kept living in her cabin beside the school, where she often came to eat lunch with students, tell stories and play the piano. Today we are a public K-5 school in the district, home of Bolt the Bull. Every student takes music and physical education with specialist teachers, and our parent-volunteer Art Literacy program introduces students to artists, cultures and art mediums. Our support team includes a counselor, a speech-language pathologist, a school psychologist, an English language development teacher and a Family Partnership Advocate who connects families with food support through Packed with Pride and our Caring Closet. We also offer a Talented and Gifted program and No Place for Hate lessons in every grade. The YMCA runs state-licensed before and after school care on campus, with sports, games, art, nature, drama, homework time and snacks. After school, students can join groups such as Ukulele Club and Girls on the Run.

• Public elementary school
• Gifted and talented
• Art Literacy program
• PBIS

Learning Tree has been independently owned and operated since 1994, when we opened our first preschool, and our Tigard school is one of three locations we run with Tualatin and Canby. Our youngest students are 6-week-old infants and our oldest are 12, and we stay open all year, weekdays 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Each age group has its own room and ratio. Infants and toddlers up to 24 months learn with one teacher for every four children, our 2.5-year-old toddler class runs at 1:5, and preschool and Pre-K classes run at 1:10, using learning centers and hands-on projects to build early reading, math and science skills. School-age children join us at a 1:15 ratio before and after their school day for homework help, art and outdoor time. Monthly tuition includes lunch plus snacks in the morning and afternoon, built on USDA guidelines with fresh produce and organic options. We take school-age children to local schools on the public school bus or our own buses and vans, and in summer we offer full and part-time care with field trips. Children play in large outdoor areas and in indoor gyms on rainy days.

• Childcare center and preschool (6 weeks to 12 years)
• Infant and toddler care
• Low teacher-child ratios
• Year-round care

Charles F. Tigard Elementary School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment for students, particularly those with diverse learning needs, including language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The school's core mission revolves around ensuring that every student feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to thrive academically and socially. With a focus on innovative teaching methodologies and therapeutic programs, Charles F. Tigard Elementary emphasizes individualized learning approaches that cater to each child's unique strengths and challenges. The school employs a range of programs designed to enhance both educational and social skills, including collaborative activities that teach the importance of teamwork, as demonstrated by engaging events like the annual Field Day. Additionally, specialized classes such as dance provide opportunities for creative expression while fostering confidence among students. The low student-teacher ratio ensures personalized attention, allowing educators to build strong relationships with students and their families. What sets Charles F. Tigard Elementary apart is its commitment to strong family partnerships and community involvement, creating a supportive network for students' growth. The recent passage of the district's bond proposal reflects the community's dedication to providing modern, safe learning environments that benefit all students. This collaborative spirit, combined with specialized facilities and unique community events, makes Charles F. Tigard Elementary a remarkable place for children to learn and grow.

• Elementary school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school

Creative Hands is a nurturing preschool located in Tigard, Oregon, dedicated to inspiring children's creativity and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Serving children in a play-based environment, the school focuses on the holistic development of each child, catering to their social, intellectual, emotional, and physical growth. With programs designed for various age groups, including a three-day PreK program and a two-day preschool program, Creative Hands emphasizes active exploration as a fundamental aspect of learning. The school's unique cooperative model encourages strong partnerships between parents and highly qualified teachers, creating an inclusive atmosphere where children thrive. This collaborative approach, combined with a low student-teacher ratio and tailored educational experiences, sets Creative Hands apart as a distinctive choice for families seeking an enriching early childhood education.

• Preschool
• Private school

Fowler Middle School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment for students with diverse learning needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The school's core mission emphasizes the importance of personalized education, ensuring that each student receives tailored support that promotes academic growth and emotional well-being. With a focus on innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies, Fowler Middle School employs a holistic approach to learning, integrating specialized instruction alongside social-emotional learning to address the unique challenges faced by its students. A standout feature of Fowler is its low student-teacher ratio, which allows for individualized attention and stronger connections between educators and families. This commitment to partnership extends beyond the classroom, as the school actively engages families in their children's educational journeys through community events and resources designed to empower parents and guardians. By prioritizing both academic excellence and emotional support, Fowler Middle School truly stands out as a nurturing space where every student can thrive.

• Middle school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school

Little Genius Bilingual Child Care and Pre School is a licensed child care center in Tigard that blends Montessori structure with the freedom of creative play. We care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in bilingual classrooms. Our Montessori classrooms treat independence as an ongoing, natural process. Children practice grace and courtesy, sensorial work, and practical life skills such as pouring water, putting on their own shoes, and cleaning their own workspace, and each small success builds their confidence and social-emotional skills. Families can choose from several care schedules to fit their work hours. Our infant care, toddler care, and preschool programs follow each child's development with individual plans, and play-based learning sits alongside early academics throughout the day.

• Bilingual Montessori child care and preschool
• Montessori
• Bilingual instruction
• Play-based learning

Bright Star Kids Tualatin, our Tigard children's center on SW Lower Boones Ferry Road, provides full-day child care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. We also run a before and after school program for elementary students ages 5 to 13 who attend schools in the Tualatin-Tigard School District. We are part of Bright Star Kids, which operates licensed centers in Washington and Oregon. Our teachers have backgrounds in early childhood education and use an emergent curriculum, building projects around the questions and interests children bring. Physical education sessions work on balance, jumping, tumbling and other gross motor skills, and our preschoolers can take dance classes through Webby Dance. The center is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and snacks and lunch are included in tuition. We accept Oregon ERDC child care assistance. For security, we use code-entry doors and the Watchmegrow camera system, and families handle tuition and daily updates through brightwheel.

• Child care center and preschool (6 weeks to 5 years, school-age care)
• Emergent curriculum
• Infant and toddler care
• Private school