Top 8 Best Special Needs Schools in Spokane, Washington (2026)

Beautiful Savior Early Learning Center (BSELC), located in Spokane's scenic South Hill, is dedicated to nurturing the spiritual and academic growth of children aged 2.5 to 6 years. As a ministry of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, BSELC's mission is to raise disciples rooted in Christ, fostering an environment where children can thrive both academically and spiritually. The school operates from September to mid-June, complemented by a year-round childcare program that offers flexible part-time and full-time care options, including before and after-school services. At BSELC, faith is integral to the curriculum; students engage with God's word through Bible stories, art projects, and regular chapel services, allowing them to develop a strong spiritual foundation alongside their educational journey. What sets Beautiful Savior apart is its commitment to partnering with families in the challenging task of raising children with love and faith. The school prides itself on its supportive community atmosphere, low student-to-teacher ratio, and specialized programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of its students, ensuring that each child is valued as a beloved member of God's family.

• Preschool
• Faith-based
• Lutheran
• Private school

Enlightium Academy is an accredited Christian online private school serving students from PreK through Grade 12. Our curriculum is taught through a biblical worldview, with Bible courses and faith integrated into academic learning. Families can choose among different ways to learn: a self-paced online program, a parent-led book-based program with video lessons, or Enlightium Prep Online with scheduled, live teacher-led classes. Program formats and available supports vary by grade and enrollment option. In our online program, students work through courses at their own pace and can access lessons online; printable materials also allow offline study. Teachers provide grading, academic feedback, and record-keeping, with support options that may include teacher messaging and live sessions depending on the selected package. In the book-based program, parents guide learning at home while teachers help with onboarding, grading verification, and school records. Enlightium Prep Online offers live classes on a schedule for students who want a more structured online day. We also offer learning support for students who need a different pace or academic accommodations. Personalized learning plans and flexible pacing help families consider how a student can work through courses. Our English Language Learner program is available for eligible students in Grades 8–12 enrolled in specified live programs; it includes instruction in areas such as grammar, reading strategies, essay writing, vocabulary, study skills, and test-taking. Enlightium is accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International. Our course offerings include core subjects and electives in areas such as languages, coding, digital media, computer science, music, and physical fitness. Families can compare the program formats, teacher support, and grade-specific options to decide which approach fits their student.

• School
• Learning differences
• Dyslexia
• ADHD

Joya Child & Family Development, formerly known as Spokane Guilds' School and Neuromuscular Center, is a non-profit pediatric therapy provider and Neurodevelopmental Center of Excellence located in Spokane, Washington. Dedicated to igniting hope and establishing lifelong skills, the organization serves infants and toddlers from birth to age three with developmental delays and disabilities, as well as children ages three to five through its JumpStart program. Joya is committed to removing barriers to care and ensuring every family has access to the support they need, regardless of their ability to pay. The school offers a comprehensive, team-based approach to pediatric care, delivering top-quality occupational, physical, and speech therapy alongside special education services. Each child’s journey begins with a thorough evaluation by a professional team consisting of a special education teacher, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech therapist. This assessment leads to the creation of an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) tailored to the unique strengths and needs of the child and their family. Specialized services also include medical evaluations with a Medical Director, aquatic therapy, feeding team specialists, and autism screening. Joya's instructional and therapeutic approach is family-centered and designed to meet families where they are, whether at home, in daycare, or at their facility in Spokane's University District. By using therapeutic play in natural environments, the program equips parents and caregivers with practical skills to support their child’s development beyond the clinical setting. The organization emphasizes the importance of the early years—birth to three—as a critical window for brain development and provides year-round support to maximize each child's potential. The facility at 1016 N. Superior St. serves as a community hub, offering not only specialized therapy but also free community playgroups open to the public. These groups connect families with essential resources and provide a sense of community even if their children are not formally enrolled in Joya's programs. Joya relies on the generosity of the Spokane community to sustain its mission, ensuring that its essential early intervention services remain accessible to all children in the region.

• Private special education school and therapeutic day school
• Developmental delays
• Disabilities
• Medically complex children

Learn and Grow Preschool is a small program on Spokane's South Hill, run and taught by its founder, Ms. Katy, who earned her education degree at Eastern Washington University with a major in reading. That love of books shapes our classroom: weekly themes and lessons grow out of the stories we read, and classes are limited to 12 children. Our preschool class for 3 and 4 year olds meets Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:45 to 11:45, and an afternoon section for ages 3 to 5 meets the same days from 1 to 4. Tuition is $390 a month plus a $100 registration fee, and we serve a healthy snack each day. Class opens with circle time, songs and movement, then children serve their own snack, spend plenty of time in free-choice centers with a related craft, and finish outside in the yard. During centers, Ms. Katy works one on one on letter sounds, numbers and self-help skills. On Fridays, our drop-in Play Club welcomes ages 2 to 5 for $40 a morning, with no potty training required. Summer brings three-day and one-day camps.

• Play-based preschool
• Play-based learning
• Literacy-themed lessons
• Small class sizes

Riverday School is a nonsectarian, nonprofit K–6 elementary school option in Spokane, Washington, that challenges students academically while meeting each child where they are developmentally. The school is passionate about providing a safe, caring, and consistent school community where respecting diversity and individual differences is as important as core academic subjects. By helping children grow into well-rounded, scholarly community leaders, Riverday integrates social development directly into its coursework. The instructional philosophy at Riverday is built on differentiated instruction and a mix of progressive and experiential learning. With a very low student-to-teacher ratio, the school allows children to master foundational concepts while exploring topics of interest in greater depth. The integrated curriculum spans disciplines and age groups, encouraging students to meet both academic and social challenges openly. Students are given the opportunity to make choices to reach their goals, fostering a learning environment where they understand the relationship between privilege and responsibility. Riverday serves students with a variety of learning differences, including those with dyslexia and dysgraphia, as well as students with social and intellectual challenges. The teachers take a personal and investigative approach to each child’s education, learning their individual styles, strengths, and challenges to tailor instruction accordingly. This project-based, hands-on methodology has successfully helped students build the confidence and skills needed to transition into larger middle school environments. Admissions at Riverday School are open year-round, and the school is supported by tuition revenue and active community fundraising. The annual tuition rate includes all supplies and field trips, with payment plan options available for families. Key annual events like the Read-A-Thon and the Spring Auction help meet operating costs and bring the school community together. The school’s dedicated staff and family-like atmosphere create a supportive environment where bright children with learning differences can thrive and change the trajectory of their educational experience.

• Elementary school
• dysgraphia
• Dyslexia
• gifted

Five Salish women founded our school in 2009, after a six-month experiment in which four little girls were cared for and taught only in nsəlxcin (Colville Salish). Salish School of Spokane is a grassroots, Native-led nonprofit with an all-Native board, and every subject in our immersion school is taught in the language. Children can start at age 1 in our Language Nest, move into an ECEAP preschool class for 3- and 4-year-olds, and continue through combined elementary and junior high classrooms. Each classroom has a lead teacher plus associate teachers, many of them adults we train as fluent speakers through our own educator program. Enrichment includes cross country, soccer, equestrianism, piano lessons, and powwow drumming and dancing. Before- and after-school care for preschool and elementary students runs 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., and the year has 195 school days. Families are part of the program: parents complete at least 60 hours of Salish classes each year, with free evening classes, dinner and child care provided. We are building a new campus near the Spokane River with a gym, commercial kitchen, sports fields and cultural spaces.

• Private Salish language immersion school (ages 1 to 14)
• Speech therapy
• Native American culture
• Native-led school

Spokane Classical Christian School is dedicated to providing an affordable and excellent education rooted in Gospel-centered values, serving students from preschool through eighth grade. The school focuses on nurturing children with diverse needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. Its core mission emphasizes the transformation of young minds through a comprehensive curriculum that integrates academic rigor with spiritual growth, fostering an environment where each child can thrive. The school employs innovative teaching methodologies, combining classical education principles with personalized support to ensure every student reaches their full potential. What sets Spokane Classical Christian School apart is its low student-teacher ratio, which facilitates individualized attention and strengthens family partnerships. Additionally, the school boasts specialized facilities designed to enhance learning experiences and hosts unique community events that foster a sense of belonging among students and their families. This holistic approach not only emphasizes academic excellence but also cultivates character and faith, preparing students for a life of purpose and service.

• Religious school
• Christian
• Classical
• Private school

Windsong School is dedicated to providing an enriching educational experience designed to nurture the whole child, making it a unique choice for families seeking a supportive environment for their children. Serving students from early childhood through eighth grade, Windsong focuses on those with diverse learning needs, including language-based learning disabilities and other developmental challenges. The school's mission centers on fostering a love of learning while cultivating flexible thinking and a deep connection to nature and the community. The curriculum at Windsong is thoughtfully structured to include imaginative storytelling, practical arts, and outdoor exploration, all aimed at engaging students in meaningful ways. With mixed-age kindergarten classes that support both new and returning students, as well as comprehensive programs for grades one through eight that cover a wide range of subjects, the school emphasizes experiential learning over standardized testing. Parent-child classes further strengthen family engagement from birth through early education. What sets Windsong apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention for each child. The school fosters strong partnerships with families, creating a warm and welcoming community where meaningful relationships flourish among students, parents, and educators alike. Seasonal celebrations and community events enrich the educational experience, promoting social skills and emotional growth while instilling a sense of belonging in every child. Windsong School not only prioritizes academic excellence but also emphasizes character development and lifelong learning skills, making it an ideal environment for children to thrive both academically and personally.

• School
• extra support
• individualized plans
• strong needs accepted