Top 6 Best Special Needs Schools in Falls Church, Virginia (2026)

St. Joseph's Preschool is a traditional Catholic preschool in Falls Church, Virginia, serving children ages 2 to 5 years old. While primarily a mainstream preschool focusing on hands-on learning, character development, and school readiness, the preschool may accept some children with MILD developmental or learning needs on a case-by-case basis. The curriculum promotes growth across academic, physical, intellectual, and emotional domains with personalized attention in a nurturing environment. The school offers tuition assistance programs and maintains a low student-teacher ratio. IMPORTANT NOTE: This is NOT a specialized special education preschool. St. Joseph's is a regular preschool that may accommodate children with mild needs.Submit an inquiry through Special Needs USA to ask about enrollment and student support services.

• Preschool
• Private school

Prepped Learning is a specialized educational therapy and diagnostic tutoring center dedicated to supporting children and adults facing learning challenges, particularly those with language-based learning disabilities and executive functioning difficulties. The core mission of Prepped Learning is to provide individualized, evidence-based interventions that address the unique academic needs of each student, ranging from early learners to adolescents. Through a combination of educational and therapeutic methodologies, the highly trained educational therapists evaluate and tailor their approach to enhance attention, motivation, and critical thinking skills while fostering a supportive learning environment. What sets Prepped Learning apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which allows for personalized attention and customized instructional strategies. Additionally, strong partnerships with families ensure that progress is collaboratively monitored and celebrated. With a nurturing atmosphere that emphasizes not only academic success but also emotional well-being, Prepped Learning stands out as a beacon of hope for students navigating their educational journeys.

• Education center
• executive functioning difficulties
• Learning differences
• Educational Therapy Center

Our private Christian preschool and school in Falls Church serves learners ages 3–13, with older students considered individually. Younger children use Montessori materials to explore practical life, sensory learning and independence. School-age learners work at their own pace on reading, writing and math through the Acton model. Socratic discussions, hands-on quests and exhibitions are part of learning. Older students mentor younger children, develop passion projects and explore apprenticeships. Our guides support learners as they take responsibility for their work and their studio community.

• Preschool

Montessori School of Northern Virginia (MSNV) is an independent school in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area offering authentic Montessori education. The Valleybrook Campus at 3433 Rose Lane in Falls Church hosts the Preprimary program for age 2 and the Primary program for ages 3 to 6. Older students continue at the Hillbrook Campus in Annandale, and a Middle School Program runs through eighth grade. The Primary classroom covers practical life, sensorial work, language, mathematics, and cultural studies, with weekly art, music, and Spanish lessons. Students take field trips to local nature centers, theaters, and museums, and take part in community service projects. MSNV holds dual accreditation from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and the American Montessori Society, one of a small number of Montessori programs in Virginia with both. Half-day and full-day Primary schedules are offered, and the school runs an Extended Day program plus Camp MSNV in the summer.

• Private Montessori early childhood school
• Accredited
• Preprimary (age 2)
• Primary (ages 3-6)

St. Anthony of Padua School is a fully accredited parish Catholic school in Falls Church, Virginia, serving students from preschool (age 2 1/2) through 8th grade within the Diocese of Arlington. Founded in 1952, it offers a faith-centered learning environment with small class sizes and a curriculum set by the Diocese of Arlington Office of Catholic Schools. The school runs an inclusion program that gives students with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities access to an individualized Catholic education, with a stated goal of integrating each student as fully as possible into the life of the school community. Special education teachers collect data, design school-based interventions, work with individuals and small groups, and assist classroom teachers with modifications to assignments and assessments. Academic interventionists and resource teachers support students with specific deficits in reading or math and coach classroom teachers on implementing accommodations. Support is provided according to the resources available, and parents are treated as part of the support team. St. Anthony's is accredited through the Virginia Catholic Education Association and is a member of the Virginia Council on Private Education and the National Catholic Education Association. School hours run 8:00 am to 3:20 pm, with optional extended day until 5:30 pm and a summer camp program.

• Private Catholic parish school with an inclusion and special education support program
• Intellectual disability
• Mild to moderate developmental disabilities
• Reading difficulties

Temple Rodef Shalom Early Childhood Center is a Reggio-inspired Reform Jewish preschool in Falls Church, Virginia, that has served young children for over 50 years. The center offers classes from birth (with a caregiver) through kindergarten, including 2-year-old, 3-year-old, Pre-K, and Junior K/Kindergarten programs, plus a summer session. Teacher-to-student ratios are small, typically about 3 teachers to 14 students. An occupational therapist and a speech therapist are available on staff when needed (additional fees apply), and weekly music, STEAM, and yoga enrich the curriculum. Guided by Reform Jewish values of kindness and community service, the center welcomes families of all backgrounds and faiths.

• Preschool
• Private school