welcome to spiritos school

A Special Education School for Supportive, Compassionate Learning

Serving Neurodiverse Students from Pre-K – Grade 8
Located in Powhatan, Virginia

Child high fiving her teacher at Spiritos School, a special education school

Our Philosophy

Spiritos School stands out among special education schools in Virginia by embracing a compassionate, trauma-assumed education approach that prioritizes safety, understanding, and support. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where students with autism, behavioral challenges, and other unique needs can learn, grow, and thrive. By combining individualized care with a strong sense of community, our philosophy empowers students to reach their fullest potential. At Spiritos School, every child is valued, supported, and equipped for success in a creative and nurturing space.

Learn More About Us

our model for success

What Sets Us Apart From Other
Special Education Schools?

Connection

At Spiritos School, building strong, positive relationships with our students is where it all begins. Our staff prioritize creating meaningful connections through pairing and rapport-building, laying the foundation for a healthy and supportive bond. By fostering an environment rooted in respect, trust, and safety, we ensure that every student feels valued, supported, and included.

Empowerment

Students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and explore new opportunities, supported by regular preference assessments. Positive praise and constructive feedback are central to the approach, helping build confidence and motivation. Teaching is tailored to each student while promoting autonomy and decision-making skills. This environment fosters creativity and empowers students to grow and succeed.

Hand showing plant growing for success model

Growth

This stage marks an exciting period of growth, as students gain confidence and begin retaining new skills. We guide them through their journey toward greater independence, gradually reducing support and shaping additional skills to help them continue building on their successes.

Advancement

Our ultimate goal is to prepare students for a successful transition to a less restrictive setting where they can thrive. This involves helping them generalize their skills across various environments and with different people, ensuring they are equipped for real-world challenges. We foster autonomy, support their personal goals and ambitions, and connect them with additional resources within their network to build a strong foundation for their next chapter.

Books and graduating cap showing the commitment to academic excellence

Academic Excellence Aligned with Virginia Standards

We are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education and accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF), ensuring the highest standards for your child’s education. Our curriculum is designed for children ages 2 to 15, helping them learn and grow at or as close to grade level as possible. We align our programs with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs), Virginia’s Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP), and Virginia’s Foundation Blocks for Early Learning to provide a tailored, well-rounded education that prepares each child for future success.

Our goal is to ensure your child attends a special education school that leads with compassion, and provides a high-quality education.

Our Educational Services

Our Blog

Stay informed with our Spiritos School blog. We share resources, stories, and expert guidance on autism education and support.

New posts are added regularly to keep you connected and supported.

Read Our Blog Posts

Text Applied Behavior Analysis and on blackboard - ABA therapy services for autism blog header

What Is ABA Therapy for Autism?

09/21/2025

An arrangement of school supplies with 'back to school' written on a chalkboard.

6 Back-to-School Tips for Parents of Autistic Children

08/06/2025

two hands together making a heart to show the love of trauma-informed, neurodiverse students

Moving Beyond Trauma-Informed: Embracing a Trauma-Assumed Approach in Special Education

06/04/2025

Front entrance at Spiritos School in Powhatan, Virginia - a special education school / autism school

Spiritos School Has a New Home in Powhatan, Virginia

04/15/2025

2025 – 2026 Academic Calendar

Stay organized and prepared with the 2025-2026 school calendar from Spiritos School! Designed to keep you informed, it includes all the key dates, events, and holidays for the year ahead. We know how important it is for families to stay on top of their schedules.

Download the calendar today and get ready for every step of your child’s exciting school year!

Download Calendar

Young boy playing with dinosaur at Spiritos School demonstrating their special education services

Front entrance at Spiritos School in Powhatan, Virginia

Director of Spiritos School playing with a student at their special education school in Virginia

reception desk at Spiritos School entrance with colorful artwork on wall

swing set on outdoor playground at Spiritos School

school lockers in hallway at new Spiritos School location

conference room for staff and parent meetings

Classroom photo wide shot at Spiritos School

Boy interacting with Spiritos School staff and teacher at a special education school

Child using iPad and blocks during activity at the Spiritos School - a leading special education school in Virginia

Girl smiling and interacting with teacher at the Spiritos School - a leading special education school

What Our Parents Are Saying…

The walls of Spiritos School are painted with support and understanding. Team Spiritos is caring and personally involved with each child’s growth, development and most importantly the child’s happiness.

Our experience with Spiritos School was excellent. Our son learned so many skills and had so many great experiences that it would be difficult to list. Behaviors were positively reinforced as they guided our son to learn new routines, understand classroom dynamics, and pick up on social cues throughout each day. Their attention to data-driven goals and metrics and personal hands-on experience with our son make Spiritos stand out from the rest. Highly recommend!

Our quality of life has improved a great deal since our daughter started at Spiritos. She comes home happy almost every afternoon and leaves the house filled with excitement for the day ahead.