Best Special Needs Schools in Staunton, Virginia (2026)

Compare 2 special needs schools in Staunton. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

Free Matching

Not sure which school is the right fit for your child?

Answer a few quick questions and we'll help you compare schools in Staunton, Virginia for free.

Free for families.

Takes about 2 minutes

Elk Hill – Staunton School

Listed

Staunton, VAGrades K-12

Elk Hill began in September 1970 with eight boys on a farm in Goochland, and Elk Hill Staunton School now brings that work to the Shenandoah Valley for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Students come to us when serious emotional or behavioral challenges have kept them from succeeding in other schools, and every student has an IEP. Mental health services are part of the school day alongside individualized instruction. Small classes are staffed by teachers and behavioral aides, and reading intervention and workforce development run inside the daily schedule. Across Elk Hill schools, students take woodshop and automotive repair classes, tour colleges and earn ServSafe food safety certificates. Staunton is one of Elk Hill's four regional service hubs, so families here can also connect with our community programs, including mentoring for ages 5 to 18, parent coaching and outdoor programs for ages 8 to 17. Elk Hill operates four accredited and licensed day schools across Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

Private special education day school
Emotional/behavioral support
Small class sizes
Behavioral support

View details

Road leading to a brick building on the VSDB campus in Staunton

Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind - Staunton

Listed

Staunton, VAAges 0-21

The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is at 104 VSDB Drive in Staunton. It is the Commonwealth's campus for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, deafblind, or sensory impaired with additional disabilities. The school opened in 1839. It follows Virginia Standards of Learning and offers any diploma option available in the state. Programs run from birth through 21, with Pre-K through grade 12, weekday residential halls, and a day option for students who live within 35 miles. Departments serve deaf, blind, and deafblind students. Expanded-core instruction covers self-advocacy, assistive technology, independent living, and vocational skills. Placement is an IEP decision with the local school division. Families are not charged tuition.

State school
Deaf
Hard of hearing
Blind

View details

Nearby school options

Compare special-needs schools near Staunton

Families often compare nearby cities when commute, availability, services, or age fit differ.

Special-needs schools in Charlottesville Compare 4 programs about 33 miles away. Special-needs schools in Lynchburg Compare 4 programs about 54 miles away.

Browse all special-needs schools in Virginia →

Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Staunton

Use these guides before you contact programs, schedule tours, or ask your IEP team how a proposed setting will support your child's goals.

Virginia special education guide

How evaluations, IEPs, and private placement work in Virginia public schools.

Virginia FIS Waiver guide

Check FIS Waiver eligibility, the priority-based waitlist, and CSB application steps before contacting schools.

How to choose a special needs school

Prepare school-tour questions, compare supports and family communication, and record what each program can show you.

IEP process guide

Bring your IEP, progress evidence, and focused questions to conversations about evaluations, services, or placement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Staunton

What special needs school choices do Staunton families usually review?

Staunton City Schools serves city residents, while many nearby families in Augusta County and surrounding divisions use separate special education processes. The private day program listed on this page is Elk Hill Staunton School, which families often compare when an IEP team is exploring a specialized placement. Confirm your division of residence before you assume a neighbor's referral path applies.

How do Staunton families request Child Find or a special education evaluation?

Contact the Staunton City Schools Office of Special Education for preschool screenings, or your child's school administrator for school-age concerns when a disability is suspected. Staunton Child Find covers residents from birth through age 21. Use Staunton City Schools Child Find for official starting points, and keep dated copies of requests.

How do Staunton families fund a private special education school?

Virginia has no statewide special-needs voucher. Public funding for a private day school depends on an IEP team finding that FAPE requires that setting, and local Children's Services Act partners may be involved for some placements. Parent-paid tuition and Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits are separate routes for some families. Read VDOE Information for Parents and ask Elk Hill Staunton School how public versus private enrollment differs.

How can I compare day-school programs in the Shenandoah Valley from Staunton?

Ask how each school defines eligibility, what related services are on site, and how progress is shared with families and the home district. Request clarity on class structure, transition planning, and summer programming. Compare Elk Hill Staunton School with your public team's proposed continuum before changing placement.

Where can Staunton parents get free statewide special education guidance?

Virginia's Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center can explain IEP process options and help you prepare for meetings. Start at PEATC, and review Staunton procedural safeguards when you receive them. A simple log of emails and meeting outcomes keeps follow-ups organized.

Explore More Schools in Virginia

Discover specialized educational institutions across other cities in Virginia.

Browse All Virginia Cities