Top 6 Best Special Needs Schools in Sherman, Texas (2026)

Belden Street Montessori has offered an authentic Montessori early childhood program in Sherman since 1985. We serve children from 8 weeks through 6 years old in four classrooms: an Infant class, a Toddler class and two Preschool classes. Each class of 10 to 24 children has one teacher and a classroom aide, and our Infant class keeps a 2 to 10 staff ratio with full or part-time and half or full-day options. Our school sits in a converted house on West Belden Street, with hardwood floors and one-way observation windows into each classroom. Every room opens onto its own enclosed work yard, and outside children tend organic vegetable, herb and flower gardens, play on a large playground and explore our Nature Park. Primary classes mix ages and cover practical life, sensorial work, math, language, geography and history, science and nature, and music and art, with an emphasis on peace education and environmental responsibility. The half-day program runs Monday through Friday, August to May, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with drop-off from 7:30. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and we set aside limited financial aid.

• Montessori early childhood school (infant to age 6)
• Montessori
• Infant and toddler care
• Mixed-age classrooms

Crutchfield Elementary moved into a new building in fall 2025, replacing the campus that had served the neighborhood since the 1950s. The school has room for 712 students, with a science lab that opens to an outdoor space, secure outdoor learning areas, grade-level collaboration spaces, a design lab and a gymnasium. We serve kindergarten through 5th grade. Our campus is home to deaf education classes for kindergarten to 2nd grade and 3rd to 5th grade as part of a Regional Day School Program for the Deaf. Our special populations team also includes special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, and reading and math interventionists. Students identified as gifted attend the Challenge Program, a pull-out class where GT-trained specialists design new research units each year that end in a student project fair. Emergent bilingual students receive bilingual or ESL instruction. Our students also take fine arts and physical education, see a school counselor and nurse, and can attend after-school care through a district partner.

• Public elementary school (K-5)
• Deaf and hard of hearing
• Gifted and talented
• Speech therapy

The Divine Equine Therapeutic Riding Center, located in Sherman, Texas, stands as a beacon of hope and healing for individuals facing a variety of disabilities and challenges. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and adults with physical, developmental, behavioral, cognitive, sensory, and learning disabilities through the transformative power of therapeutic riding. The center serves a diverse audience, including those with diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and learning disabilities. At Divine Equine, the approach to therapy is holistic and individualized, utilizing equine-assisted activities that foster emotional growth and physical rehabilitation. The center features specialized facilities like a newly constructed covered arena that enhances the riding experience regardless of weather conditions. With a strong emphasis on community involvement and support from local businesses, the center also offers unique programs for veterans and first responders, demonstrating its commitment to serving all facets of the community. What truly sets Divine Equine apart is its low student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention that fosters meaningful connections between riders and instructors. This intimate setting not only enhances learning but also nurtures strong family partnerships that are vital for holistic development. Through its compassionate approach and dedication to improving lives through equine therapy, Divine Equine Therapeutic Riding Center exemplifies the profound impact that animals can have on healing and personal growth.

• Horse riding school
• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• Learning differences

Prep4Success is a dedicated educational program designed to empower middle and high school students through a biblically integrated curriculum that emphasizes both academic and life skills. Catering specifically to students preparing for the challenges of high school and beyond, Prep4Success focuses on those with diverse learning needs, offering customizable lesson plans that can be tailored to individual requirements. The curriculum not only reinforces essential study skills but also instills a sense of purpose and vision for the future through engaging activities rooted in scripture. One of the program's standout features is its school-wide licensing model, which allows educators to utilize and distribute materials across their entire organization without incurring ongoing fees, ensuring long-term benefits for both teachers and students. With a strong emphasis on practical competencies and a supportive community, Prep4Success stands out as a transformative resource that equips students with the confidence and tools necessary for personal success in their academic journeys.

• School supply store
• Private school

Preschool 101 Plus is dedicated to nurturing the unique potential of every child, serving infants and toddlers through a holistic educational approach that emphasizes exploration and growth. Located in Denison and Sherman, this preschool believes that each child is a distinct seed of potential, ready to flourish with the right support. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to engage young learners through interactive play, ensuring that education becomes an adventure. The school places a strong emphasis on physical education, helping children develop gross motor skills while fostering a love for movement. Additionally, the arts program encourages creativity, allowing preschoolers to explore colors, shapes, and textures in an expressive environment. What sets Preschool 101 Plus apart is its commitment to creating a joyful learning atmosphere characterized by low student-teacher ratios and strong family partnerships. This ensures personalized attention and fosters meaningful connections within the community, making it a beloved choice for parents seeking an enriching early childhood experience for their children.

• Preschool
• Private school

Kindergarten through 12th grade students attend Sherman Inspire Academy, a public charter school here in Sherman, without paying tuition. We limit the seats in each grade to keep the school small, so admission runs through a random lottery each January, and later applicants join a waitlist. Our teaching starts with inquiry. Students move through six phases (activate knowledge, identify questions, explore, create, share and reflect) while studying themes of relationships, systems, change and the future. Those themes group the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, so students cover the same state standards that STAAR measures. Group size changes with the activity: one teacher to 15 students for direct instruction, one to 10 for small-group work and one to 25 for independent work. High school students can earn college credit at no cost to families through the University of Texas at Austin OnRamps program. For behavior, we teach clear expectations and self-management skills so students learn to make good decisions on their own. Our school is part of Inspire Academies, a group of campuses built around the same inquiry model.

• Public charter school (K-12)
• Inquiry-based learning
• Small school
• College credit (OnRamps)