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Best Special Needs Schools in Anacortes, Washington (2026)

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

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School listings in Anacortes

Students taking part in a school activity at Fiddlehead Montessori in Anacortes, WA.
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Fiddlehead Montessori

Listed
Anacortes, WAGrades PreK-8$12,370 full-day Early Childhood (2026-27); sliding-scale Elementary

Fiddlehead Montessori is a nonprofit Montessori school in Anacortes for children ages 3 to 12, with classrooms led by certified Montessori teachers. Our Early Childhood classroom opened in 2022 and holds up to 20 children ages 3 to 6 in one mixed-age room, and our Elementary program serves ages 6 to 12 from Anacortes and the Skagit Valley. Lessons are given individually or in small groups as each child is ready, using hands-on materials in math, language, science, geography and cultural studies. On Wilderness Fridays, students leave campus for hands-on learning in Anacortes forestlands. Elementary students take part in service projects, and technology is used sparingly. Teachers coach children through conflicts instead of using punishment or time-outs. Early Childhood tuition for 2026-2027 is $12,370 for a full day, or $6,490 for a half-day option open to 3-year-olds. Elementary families pay on a sliding scale based on household income, and need-based scholarships are available. Each summer we run a Montessori day camp for ages 3 to 12 with weekly themes, nature walks and field trips.

  • Montessori school (ages 3-12)
  • Montessori
  • Mixed-age classrooms
  • Outdoor education
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Nearby school options

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Planning guides

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IEP process guide

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Comparing school options in Anacortes

The Anacortes School District offers free Child Find developmental screenings for children from birth through age 5, counted as of August 31. Screenings are by appointment at the Whitney Early Learning Center and take about 45 minutes. They look at speech and language, hearing and vision, motor skills, early thinking skills, social-emotional growth and self-help skills.

Anacortes describes its special education program as serving students with disabilities from birth to age 21, with education in the least restrictive environment. Because the district is small, the screening program is the main local entry point for young children, and school-age referrals go through your child's school. Washington's state rules govern the written referral, a 25-school-day decision on whether to evaluate, and a 35-school-day evaluation window after consent.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Anacortes

What does an Anacortes Child Find screening check?
Trained specialists use play-based activities to look at speech and language, basic hearing and vision, fine and gross motor skills, early problem solving such as counting and stacking blocks, social-emotional development, and self-help skills. Each screening lasts about 45 minutes. Appointments are required and are held at the Whitney Early Learning Center.
Is the screening the same as an evaluation?
No. A screening is a short check that shows whether a fuller look is needed. A special education evaluation is a formal assessment that needs your written consent and decides eligibility. In Washington, once you request an evaluation in writing, the district has 25 school days to decide whether to evaluate. Our evaluation guide explains the difference.
Who does Anacortes special education serve?
The district says special education provides specially designed instruction and supports for students with disabilities from birth to age 21, under IDEA's guarantee of a free appropriate public education. Students are educated alongside children without disabilities to the maximum extent possible. Federal and state rules decide eligibility, and the IEP team decides services.
What if a school-age child in Anacortes is struggling?
Write to a special education staff member at your child's school, such as the principal or school psychologist, and to the district special education office. Email counts. List every area of concern and attach any medical or therapy reports. If the district declines to evaluate, Washington requires it to give you Prior Written Notice with its reasons.

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