Top 9 Best Special Needs Schools in Sandy, Utah (2026)

Abide Christian Academy is a distinctive hybrid homeschool program located in the Salt Lake Valley, Utah, designed for children aged preschool through 10th grade. This innovative educational model combines the flexibility of homeschooling with the structure of a traditional private Christian school, fostering an environment that supports both academic and spiritual growth. The academy is dedicated to partnering with parents to create a personalized learning experience that emphasizes exploration and development while remaining firmly rooted in Biblical teachings. Core subjects such as language arts, math, history, and science are taught through a lens of faith, encouraging students to build a strong foundation in their beliefs. The mission of Abide Christian Academy is to cultivate a safe and grace-filled community where students are inspired to see the world through the eyes of Jesus, embracing their identities as sons and daughters of the King. What sets this school apart is its commitment to nurturing deep roots of faith alongside academic excellence, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention in a supportive environment.

• Private educational institution
• Private school

Beehive Science & Technology Academy in Sandy, Utah, is a distinguished STEM charter school offering programs for students from elementary through high school. Recognized as a Platinum Level STEM Designated school and an Apple Distinguished School, Beehive Academy is committed to providing an innovative and rigorous education focused on engineering, computer science, math, and health sciences, while adhering to traditional Utah core standards. The academy prides itself on fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for students of diverse backgrounds to excel academically and personally. Unique features include small class sizes, dedicated teachers who offer free tutoring, and strong communication between staff and families. Additionally, the annual Utah STEM Expo provides students with the opportunity to showcase their projects alongside industry experts. This commitment to excellence has earned Beehive Academy numerous accolades as one of the best charter schools in Utah.

• Educational institution
• Charter school
• Private school

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School runs Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade in Sandy, with a preschool and daycare on the same campus. Public documentation of learning support is thin. A Learning Resource Center exists, but the only description of it anywhere places it as an addition to the library completed in January 1999, and the LRC Coordinator appears in the staff directory as a name and title with no statement of duties. No resource room, accommodations, IEP or 504 provision is described. On funding the school points families to the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship for Utah residents, the Utah Fits All Scholarship, ACE Scholarships, FACTS grant and aid, and a Skaggs tuition assistance program for Catholic families at or below the poverty level. Applications for 2026-27 are open and tours can be scheduled. Applicants for kindergarten through 8th grade need report cards and standardized test scores from the previous year. Families considering the school for a child with a disability should ask directly what the Learning Resource Center provides.

Challenger School Sandy occupies a newly built campus that opened in fall 2022, located mid-valley minutes from I-15. The building is arranged in separate wings for preschool, elementary, and middle school. The campus offers preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school programs. Preschool combines music, reading, math, art, drama, social time, science, and motor-skill activities. Kindergarten blends play with structured learning, and the elementary program emphasizes critical thinking and independence within a values-based curriculum. Challenger admissions require a campus visit with an in-person interview and evaluation, plus a placement test for kindergarten through eighth grade applicants. Applications are accepted year round, and continuous enrollment automatically re-enrolls students each year as long as they meet the school's academic and comportment standards.

• Private academic preschool, elementary, and middle school (selective admissions)
• Preschool
• Kindergarten
• Elementary

Kool Minds Private School in Sandy serves students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD who need more than a few hours of tutoring each week. Classes stay small—about 10–15 students—and use multi-sensory reading and math instruction, project-based learning, life-skills lessons, and mindfulness activities throughout the school day. Kool Minds notes that its logic-based programs are best suited to students with specific learning disabilities rather than Level 2+ autism or intellectual disability. Partial and full scholarships may be available.

• private
• Learning differences
• ADHD
• Dyslexia

Kool Minds Sandy East adds another Sandy-area option for families seeking learning-difference support beyond the existing Sandy main office. Kool Minds focuses on cognitive skills, concentration, reading, writing, and math remediation for students with dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and similar learning challenges. Parents should contact Kool Minds to confirm whether Sandy East currently operates as a micro-school/private-school site, tutoring site, or hybrid learning-support location.

• private
• Learning differences
• ADHD
• Dyslexia

Life Skills Academy (formerly Canyons Transition Academy) provides instruction and supports to students who have aged out of high school and would benefit from additional training in classroom, community, and vocational settings. Certified teachers and para educators work together to serve students with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 22 who have completed their senior year and whose IEP team determined that transition services are needed. Programming covers preparing for post secondary education or training, paid and unpaid work based learning with job coaching, exploring career and employment choices, understanding housing choices and independent living needs, goal setting and self advocacy, travel training on public transit with staff support, and identifying leisure activities and community resources. Students choose from classes such as Menu Planning, Career Exploration, 3D Printing, Hydro Farming, Self Advocacy, and Student Leadership. Every Tuesday is Community Access Day, when all classes go out into the community. Related service providers include speech language pathologists, a school counselor, a school psychologist, a school nurse, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, with occupational therapists and adapted physical education teachers supporting from Jordan Valley. Instructional hours run Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

• Public school district transition school (special education)
• Students with disabilities served under an IEP
• Transition support

Paper Plane Learning is a creative educational enrichment program that serves as a homeschool learning partnership for non-SPED, creative talent development. The program focuses on art education, STEM enrichment, and skill-building courses with individualized attention for students seeking creative learning opportunities. This is not a special education, therapeutic, or disability-support program, but rather an academic enrichment center that provides creative and skill-building courses for homeschooled students and families looking to supplement traditional education with hands-on, creative learning experiences.

• Art school
• Private school

Waterford School, located in Sandy, Utah, stands as a distinguished liberal arts, college preparatory institution serving students from Preschool through High School. The school is dedicated to inspiring young individuals to lead lives filled with meaning and purpose, offering a world-class education that nurtures intellect, ignites passion, and shapes character. Waterford's curriculum is thoughtfully designed, blending classical education with contemporary insights, allowing students to engage deeply with diverse thoughts, philosophies, and cultural works. With a low student-teacher ratio of 8:1, the school fosters personalized attention, ensuring that each child's unique learning needs are met. The exceptional fine and performing arts programs are integral to the curriculum, enriching students' educational experiences and encouraging creativity. Additionally, Waterford promotes competitive athletics, cultivating not only skilled athletes but also committed teammates who embody respect and honor in all aspects of life. The school's strong emphasis on family partnerships and community involvement further enhances its unique educational environment, making Waterford School a nurturing and empowering place for students to thrive.

• High school
• Private school