Parent-Approved Neurodivergent Friendly schools in Northern Colorado

*This list was last updated in April 2026

Disclaimers

1: This list is not inclusive—if you feel that a school that your child attended should be on this list, please feel free to reach out to me at angela@blossomcouselingco.com so I can include it. Summer programs are not on this list.

2: It is your responsibility to do your due diligence when learning about a school. A school that is a fantastic fit for one student might be a terrible fit for another, even when experiencing the same neurotype. This list was created by parent input across multiple Facebook groups and is not a guarantee that you will be satisfied with a school recommended here. Some schools here are better for kids who need more autonomy, some are better for kids who need 1 on 1 instruction, some have better Special Ed programs, some have better gifted programs, etc. Sometimes the best school is the one that has your child’s relative or neighborhood friends. Staff changes may have occurred since this list was created. I do not know the ins and outs of these schools—I am one person who is passionate about supporting ND kids and offer this list for free and cannot respond to requests asking for details about any specific school.

3:  It is your responsibility to investigate the enrollment process, as most of these schools cannot automatically accept anyone who applies, unless it is a public school and you live within its boundaries.

4: It is your responsibility to find out whether a school requires tuition. Some private schools offer scholarships, generous tuition adjustments, or will be paid for by the child’s assigned school district—it is your responsibility to reach out to the school and find out, and I encourage you to do so. Schools that are early education only (ages 6 and younger) are typically tuition-based.

5: Confused about how to decide which kind of school to enroll in? I made you a guide here.

*** indicates this school was recommended by multiple parents

Preschool:

Bal Swan Children’s Center in Broomfield

TLC Learning Center in Longmont (6 weeks-Preschool) https://learningwithtlc.org/

Wee Folk Forest School https://www.weefolkforestkindergarten.com/

Gray Wolf Montessori in Longmont (ages 2.5-6)

Friends n Fun Preschool in Lafayette (ages 2.5-5) http://www.friendsnfunchildrenscenter.com/

Snow Lion Preschool in North Boulder (ages 2.5-5.5) https://snowlionpreschool.org/

Kindergarten only:

Wee Folk Forest School in Boulder weefolkforestkindergarten.com

Elementary/K-5:

***Mead Elementary School (Public)

Blue Mountain Elementary in Longmont (public: science, tech, and inquiry focused) https://bmes.svvsd.org/

***Bixby in Boulder (Private) https://www.bixbyschool.org/

***Red Hawk Elementary in Erie (Public) https://rhes.svvsd.org/

Erie Elementary (Public) https://ees.svvsd.org/

Tollgate Elementary School of Expeditionary Learning in Aurora https://tollgate.aurorak12.org/

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (free public charter) https://ddeschool.org/

Sabin World Elementary School in Denver (public, IB program) https://sabin.dpsk12.org/

Columbine Elementary School in Denver (public) https://columbine.dpsk12.org/

Meridian Elementary in Broomfield (includes 2 structured learning classes) https://meridian.adams12.org/

Eagle Ridge Elementary in Highlands (has Affective Needs Program) ere.dcsdk12.org

Mountain View Elementary in Windsor https://mv.weldre4.org/en-US

Longmont Estates Elementary School https://lees.svvsd.org/

Middle School:

Manual Middle School in Denver (public) https://manualms.dpsk12.org/

Mead Middle School(public; recognized as a Union Champion School by Special Olympics) https://mms.svvsd.org/

Trail Ridge Middle School in Longmont https://trms.svvsd.org/

High School:

Erie High School SpEd program (public) https://ehs.svvsd.org/

Niwot High School (public, IB program) https://nhs.svvsd.org/

Highlands Ranch High School (has Affective Needs Program) hrhs.dcsdk12.org

Mead High School (public; recognized as a Union Champion School by Special Olympics) https://mhs.svvsd.org/

Windsor High School https://www.whs.weldre4.org/en-US

Holy Family High School in Broomfield (private Catholic, works in partnership with Adams 12)

K/1st-12:

Hillside School & Center for Dyslexia https://hillsidelearning.org/

Brightmont Academy in Broomfield (private, 2e, 1 to 1, locations across Colorado and the US) https://www.brightmontacademy.com/campuses/broomfield-co

Twin Peaks Classical Academy in Longmont (public) https://www.twinpeaksclassical.org/page/our-values

Stargate School in Thornton (gifted high achieving learners) https://www.stargateschool.org/

Alpine Valley School in Wheat Ridge (Private; Sudbury/Democratic model) https://www.alpinevalleyschool.com/‍ ‍

Colorado Preparatory Academy (online public school) https://cpa.k12.com/

K-8/PK-8:

Aspen Ridge Preparatory School in Erie (public)

***Friends School in Boulder (Private, personalized affordable tuition available)  https://friendsschoolboulder.org/

St. Vrain Community Montessori School in Longmont https://www.svcmontessori.org/

Horizons K-8 Charter School in Boulder (public)

***Bixby School in Boulder (private, offers personalized affordable tuition) https://www.bixbyschool.org/about/

Omar D. Blair Charter School in Denver https://www.omardblaircharterschool.com/

STEM Lab in Northglenn (free magnet school) https://stem.adams12.org/

Monarch PK-8 School in Louisville https://mo8.bvsd.org/

Mackintosh Academy in Boulder (IB school) https://mackboulder.com/

Havern School in Littleton https://www.havernschool.org/

Grades 6-12:

***Crossroads School in Longmont https://crossroadslongmont.org/ (Christian school)

Humanex Academy in Englewood (tuition-based) https://humanexacademy.org/

Accelerated Schools in Denver (tuition-based, scholarships and financial aid available); students can begin classes any day year-round)

Temple Grandin School (tuition-based) https://www.templegrandinschool.org/

Colorado Early Colleges (helps students get their associate degree by the time they graduate high school, locations and satellite campuses in: Fort Collins, Westminster, Aroura-high school only, Englewood-high school only, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock-high school only, Windsor, and online) https://coloradoearlycolleges.org/

Other age range:

***Fusion Academy (Private, grades 4-12) in Louisville and Greenwood Village (locations across US) https://www.fusionacademy.com/campuses/boulder-county/

***Prospect Academy in Arvada (free public charter for ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia and similar learning profiles; grades 3-8) *please note that this is NOT Prospect Ridge Academy in Broomfield, which has not earned a spot on this list

Science of Learning Academy in Lafayette (private, preschool program, small group half day learning for K-12 so students can stay connected to their home school) https://scienceoflearningacademy.org/

Denver Academy (Grades 2-12. private, small class sizes) denveracademy.org

Main Street School in Longmont (1 to 1, not general education, requires IEP and recommendation from another school; also provides transition services for ages 18-21) https://mainstreet.svvsd.org/about/school-overview/

The Barred Academy in Louisville (Grades 1-8, private, does not use grades on schoolwork) https://www.thebarredacademy.org/

Homeschool Support

The Kiva Center in Boulder (ages 5-18) https://www.thekivacenter.com/homeschool-enrichment-welcome

Colorado Early Colleges in Colorado Springs and Fort Collins https://coloradoearlycolleges.org/our-schools/

Wildlife Ranch Homeschool Co-op in Arvada (PDA affirming, ages 5-21, private, flexible membership) https://www.intensityhub.com/wlrh

List of Unified Champion Schools, an honorary designation given by the Special Olympics: https://specialolympicsco.org/programs/ucs/ (after clicking the link, scroll all the way down their page to see the map of schools)