Find Top Programs in Washington

Discover Washington schools and centers with individualized instruction, low student-teacher ratios, and integrated social-emotional support. Browse programs across 65 cities with 284 total programs.

284

Programs Listed

Cities Covered

Let us help you find the right fit

Our team can match your child with schools in Washington.

Featured Providers in Washington

Compare highlighted schools and ABA therapy centers serving families across Washington.

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Orchid Academy

Serving Washington

We believe successful therapy starts with the right partnership. We take the time to get to know each child and family, ensuring our approach aligns with your goals, values, and priorities. Through open communication, collaboration, and individualized care, we strive to create a supportive experience where both children and families feel understood, empowered, and confident in their journey.

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Orchid Academy

Serving Washington

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FeaturedABA therapy centerResponsive

Orchid Academy

Serving Washington

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Cities with Schools in Washington

Explore schools across 65 cities in Washington. Use search to quickly find schools in your area.

Popular Cities

Cities with the most schools

All Cities A-Z

65 cities total

Cities Starting with A

1 city

Anacortes

2 schools

Anacortes, Washington

Cities Starting with B

9 cities

Bainbridge Island

10 schools

Bainbridge Island, Washington

Bellevue

8 schools

Bellevue, Washington

Bellingham

3 schools

Bellingham, Washington

Bonney Lake

2 schools

Bonney Lake, Washington

Bothell

10 schools

Bothell, Washington

Bremerton

5 schools

Bremerton, Washington

Buckley

1 school

Buckley, Washington

Burien

2 schools

Burien, Washington

Burlington

1 school

Burlington, Washington

Cities Starting with C

5 cities

Camano

1 school

Camano, Washington

Camas

1 school

Camas, Washington

Centralia

3 schools

Centralia, Washington

Chehalis

1 school

Chehalis, Washington

Covington

1 school

Covington, Washington

Cities Starting with D

1 city

Des Moines

2 schools

Des Moines, Washington

Cities Starting with E

3 cities

Edmonds

7 schools

Edmonds, Washington

Ellensburg

2 schools

Ellensburg, Washington

Everett

3 schools

Everett, Washington

Cities Starting with G

1 city

Graham

1 school

Graham, Washington

Cities Starting with I

1 city

Issaquah

4 schools

Issaquah, Washington

Cities Starting with K

5 cities

Kelso

1 school

Kelso, Washington

Kenmore

3 schools

Kenmore, Washington

Kennewick

1 school

Kennewick, Washington

Kent

5 schools

Kent, Washington

Kirkland

1 school

Kirkland, Washington

Cities Starting with L

5 cities

Lacey

2 schools

Lacey, Washington

Lake Stevens

12 schools

Lake Stevens, Washington

Longview

10 schools

Longview, Washington

Lynden

5 schools

Lynden, Washington

Lynnwood

6 schools

Lynnwood, Washington

Cities Starting with M

8 cities

Marysville

2 schools

Marysville, Washington

Mercer Island

5 schools

Mercer Island, Washington

Mill Creek

2 schools

Mill Creek, Washington

Millwood

1 school

Millwood, Washington

Monroe

10 schools

Monroe, Washington

Moses Lake

2 schools

Moses Lake, Washington

Mount Vernon

6 schools

Mount Vernon, Washington

Mountlake Terrace

3 schools

Mountlake Terrace, Washington

Cities Starting with O

3 cities

Oak Harbor

1 school

Oak Harbor, Washington

Olympia

3 schools

Olympia, Washington

Orting

1 school

Orting, Washington

Cities Starting with P

3 cities

Port Angeles

8 schools

Port Angeles, Washington

Port Orchard

13 schools

Port Orchard, Washington

Pullman

4 schools

Pullman, Washington

Cities Starting with R

3 cities

Redmond

4 schools

Redmond, Washington

Renton

4 schools

Renton, Washington

Richland

2 schools

Richland, Washington

Cities Starting with S

9 cities

Sammamish

1 school

Sammamish, Washington

Seattle

22 schools

Seattle, Washington

Shoreline

4 schools

Shoreline, Washington

Snohomish

4 schools

Snohomish, Washington

Snoqualmie

1 school

Snoqualmie, Washington

Spokane

8 schools

Spokane, Washington

Spokane Valley

7 schools

Spokane Valley, Washington

Stanwood

1 school

Stanwood, Washington

Sumner

2 schools

Sumner, Washington

Cities Starting with T

2 cities

Tacoma

11 schools

Tacoma, Washington

Tukwila

1 school

Tukwila, Washington

Cities Starting with U

1 city

University Place

8 schools

University Place, Washington

Cities Starting with V

1 city

Vancouver

17 schools

Vancouver, Washington

Cities Starting with W

3 cities

Walla Walla

4 schools

Walla Walla, Washington

Washougal

1 school

Washougal, Washington

Woodinville

4 schools

Woodinville, Washington

Cities Starting with Y

1 city

Yakima

1 school

Yakima, Washington

Special Education in Washington: What Parents Need to Know

Washington separates a 25-school-day decision on whether to evaluate from a 35-school-day evaluation deadline after consent. The state does not have a private-school voucher; districts use approved nonpublic agencies when an IEP requires an outside placement.

We currently list 284 specialized schools and programs across 65 communities in Washington.

Evaluation and IEP timing in Washington

After receiving a referral, the district has 25 school days to review existing information and decide whether to evaluate. If it proceeds and the parent consents, the initial evaluation must be completed within 35 school days.

The evaluation decision is due within 25 school days after referral
The evaluation itself is due within 35 school days after consent
The first IEP is developed within 30 calendar days after eligibility

How specialized placements are funded in Washington

Washington has no statewide disability voucher or ESA. When a district cannot implement the IEP in its own programs, it may contract with an OSPI-approved nonpublic agency and remains responsible for FAPE.

Nonpublic agencies must be approved by OSPI
The district remains responsible for the IEP and monitoring
A family-selected private school is governed by parentally placed private-school rules

Types of Special Needs Schools in Washington

Not every placement type exists in every state. These are the settings families actually find in Washington.

OSPI-approved nonpublic agencies

Washington approves private schools and agencies that contract with districts to provide special education and related services required by an IEP.

Best for: Students whose funding route, IEP, or support needs match this state-specific placement category

District and regional public programs

Washington districts may serve students in neighborhood schools, separate classrooms, regional cooperatives, or public separate schools depending on the IEP.

Best for: Students who can receive FAPE within the public-school continuum

Autism and therapeutic day schools

These programs combine academics with behavioral, communication, sensory, or clinical support. Approval and public-payment status must be checked separately.

Best for: Students who need coordinated instruction and therapeutic support throughout the school day

Independent schools for learning differences

These schools commonly focus on dyslexia, language-based learning disabilities, ADHD, executive function, or small-group instruction.

Best for: Students who need specialized teaching but not an intensive therapeutic placement

Washington Special Needs School Questions

How long does a special education evaluation take in Washington?

What funding can families use for a specialized school in Washington?

Can a Washington district pay for a private special education placement?

Yes, when the IEP team determines that the district cannot provide FAPE in its own programs. The public agency then remains responsible for the placement and IEP. A family-selected private enrollment or scholarship is a different legal and funding route.

What types of specialized schools operate in Washington?

The state-specific options described on this page include OSPI-approved nonpublic agencies, District and regional public programs, Autism and therapeutic day schools, Independent schools for learning differences. Approval, tuition responsibility, and admission rules differ by setting, so confirm both the school's status and who is responsible for payment before enrolling.

Where should I start for a child under three in Washington?

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers is the state's birth-to-three starting point. Local lead agencies coordinate services for eligible infants and toddlers and transition planning before school-district responsibility begins.

Washington Guides & Resources

Next steps for families comparing schools, requesting an evaluation, or working out how to pay for a placement.

How to request a special education evaluation

Start the written record before tracking Washington's evaluation timeline.

Complete IEP guide

Prepare for eligibility, services, placement, and annual review decisions.

504 plan vs IEP

Compare the protections and services available through each plan.

Choosing a special needs school

Questions to ask when comparing programs in Washington.

Early intervention guide

Understand birth-to-three services and the transition into Washington schools.

IEP meeting prep checklist

Organize records, questions, and priorities before the team meets.

Autism rates by state

Compare federal autism-identification data for Washington.

Restraint and seclusion by state

Review federal civil-rights data when comparing Washington programs.

Sources for this page

State rules change. This page was last reviewed against primary sources on July 28, 2026. Confirm current requirements with your school district or the relevant state agency before making a decision.

Find Your Perfect Match

With 284 schools and centers across 65 cities in Washington, we'll help you find the right educational environment for your child's unique needs.