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Top 4 Best Special Needs Schools in Ashburn, Virginia (2026)

Compare 4 special needs schools in Ashburn. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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1

Open Arms Child Development Center

School

Listed4.5

Ashburn, VA • Ages 2-5

Open Arms is a Christ-centered child development center in Ashburn, Virginia, serving families since 1999. It offers licensed infant care, toddler care, preschool and pre-K, after-school care for grades K-5, and summer camp, with a faith-centered, play-based curriculum that supports children's social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. The program emphasizes small group sizes, trained teachers, and strong family partnerships.

Support: Private

2

Guidepost Montessori at Broadlands

Private Montessori preschool and early childhood center (6 weeks to 6 years)

Listed4.0

Ashburn, VA • Ages 3-16

Guidepost Montessori at Broadlands is a Montessori early childhood campus at 42945 Waxpool Road in Ashburn, Virginia, just off the Dulles Greenway and north of Brambleton. It serves families across Leesburg, Sterling, Brambleton, Lansdowne, and greater Loudoun County, and is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The campus offers AMS-certified Montessori programs for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years: Nido for 6 weeks to 16 months, Toddler for 16 months to 3 years, and Children's House for ages 3 to 6. The third year of Children's House serves as a capstone kindergarten year. The Guidepost approach centers on prepared environments matched to each child's developmental stage, with personalized care and support. Year-round extended-day programming is included at no extra cost, and families receive daily photo and video updates plus regular milestone meetings.

Support: Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten

3

Golden Pond School

Private preschool and kindergarten (ages 2 to 9)

Listed

Ashburn, VA • Ages 2-5

Golden Pond School is an early childhood school in Ashburn, Virginia, serving children ages 2 to 9. Programs include half-day preschool, full-day preschool enrichment, a five-day kindergarten running 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., after-school enrichment for kindergarten through 3rd grade, and a themed summer camp. The campus is open 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with part-time and full-day options. The school's approach, called the Golden Pond Way, blends curriculum with research on how young children learn. Classrooms are hands-on and investigation-driven, and preschool children are grouped in six-month age ranges so teachers can individualize instruction. The stated aim is building confidence, independence, executive function, and social-emotional skills. Golden Pond is non-faith-based and fully accredited, recognized by Cognia, Middle States, and the Virginia Council for Private Education. The Ashburn campus has 12 classrooms and three playgrounds and serves more than 300 families each year.

Support: Preschool, Kindergarten, After-school (grades 1-3)

4

Virginia Academy

Private Christian school (preschool through grade 12)

Listed

Ashburn, VA • Ages 2-12

Virginia Academy is a private Christian school in Ashburn, Virginia, serving preschool through 12th grade. Its programs are organized as preschool for ages 2 to 4, elementary school for kindergarten through grade 5, and upper school for grades 6 through 12. The school was founded by and is supported by Community Church and teaches from a stated Christian worldview. Academically, the school offers advanced placement and accelerated coursework, Bible, foreign language, and physical education at least twice a week, and electives including drama, computers, art, and chorus. An academic support coordinator works with families to build individualized plans for students who need remediation as well as those who need enrichment or acceleration. On a case-by-case basis and at a parent's request, the school will review a student's IEP, use testing to identify learning gaps, and have a specialist prescribe a curriculum. Additional fees may apply to these programs. Virginia Academy holds accreditation through the International Christian Accrediting Association, Cognia, and ACSI. A 60,000 square foot expansion completed in fall 2024 added upper school classrooms, science labs, a library and digital resource room, and an NCAA regulation gymnasium.

Support: Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School

Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Ashburn

Use these guides before you contact programs, schedule tours, or ask your IEP team about placement and funding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Ashburn

How do Ashburn families map special needs school choices in Loudoun County?
Ashburn students typically enroll in Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), which operates Child Find and IEP services for county residents. Private and independent programs listed on this page include Open Arms Child Development Center, Guidepost Montessori at Broadlands, Golden Pond School, and Virginia Academy. Confirm your LCPS school boundary first, then use this page to shortlist specialized options the team might discuss.
How do I request Child Find or an evaluation in Ashburn?
For school-age children, deliver a written evaluation request to the assigned LCPS school and keep proof of delivery. LCPS describes its ongoing Child Find program for locating and evaluating children who may need special education. Official division information is at LCPS Child Find. Follow Virginia consent and eligibility steps once the division responds.
What funding paths exist for private special needs schools near Ashburn?
Public funding generally follows an IEP determination that a private day placement is required for FAPE, not a parent-only preference. Virginia does not offer a special-needs ESA statewide. Some eligible families may pursue scholarships through the Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits Program. Read parent guidance at VDOE Information for Parents and ask each school whether it participates.
How can Ashburn parents compare supports for ADHD, dyslexia, or autism?
Ask each program how it teaches reading, how it supports attention and executive function, and how related services are scheduled during the day. Request progress-monitoring examples and clarify diploma or credential pathways for older students. Compare schools on this page with LCPS proposals using the same checklist at every tour.
Where can Loudoun County families get free special education training?
PEATC is Virginia's federally funded parent training and information center and serves Loudoun County families statewide. Use PEATC for workshops and confidential process coaching. Bring PEATC tip sheets to IEP meetings along with your own data log.

Explore More Schools in Virginia

Discover specialized educational institutions across other cities in Virginia.

Special Needs Education in Ashburn, Virginia

Ashburn offers 4 specialized educational institutions for children with diverse learning needs. These schools serve students with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and other special needs in the Virginia area.

Ashburn Special Needs Programs

Ashburn schools provide specialized educational programming for children with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other developmental differences, serving Virginia families with individualized support.

Individualized Learning

Small class sizes, personalized instruction, IEP implementation

Therapy Services

Speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy integration

Family Support

Parent training, transition planning, community resources

What to Look For in Ashburn

  • Low student-to-teacher ratios (typically 4:1 to 8:1)
  • Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
  • On-site therapy services (speech, occupational, behavioral)
  • Experienced special education staff
  • Specialized curriculum for different learning styles

Getting Started in Ashburn

  • Schedule tours with 3-5 schools that match your child's needs
  • Ask about their experience with your child's specific diagnosis
  • Inquire about transportation options in Ashburn
  • Discuss admission requirements and waiting lists
  • Compare tuition costs and available funding options

Ashburn Special Education Resources & Support