#1 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Westmark School
Special education school · Grades 2–12
The only special education school in Encino
Encino, CA
A+Overall grade217 students4 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Special Education Schools in the West
The highest-graded schools of this kind in the West. Top 50 of 160 schools.
#2 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Sterne School
Special education school · Grades 4–12
The smallest classes of any special education school in San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
A+Overall grade181 students7 students per teacher
#3 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Sam & Rose Stein Education Center
Special education school · Ungraded
The largest special education school in San Diego
San Diego, CA
A+Overall grade85 students7 students per teacher
#4 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Chartwell School
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Smaller classes than 89% of special education schools in California
Seaside, CA
A+Overall grade191 students4 students per teacher
#5 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Mardan School
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Smaller classes than 78% of special education schools in California
Irvine, CA
A+Overall grade62 students6 students per teacher
#6 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Havern School
Special education school · Grades 1–8
Smaller classes than 92% of special education schools nationwide
Littleton, CO
A+Overall grade71 students2 students per teacher
#7 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Park Academy
Special education school · Grades 3–12
The only special education school in Lake Oswego
Lake Oswego, OR
A+Overall grade99 students4 students per teacher
#8 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Carmen B Pingree Center
Special education school · Ungraded
Smaller classes than 96% of special education schools nationwide
Salt Lake City, UT
A+Overall grade60 students2 students per teacher
#9 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Brightmont Academy
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Smaller classes than 93% of special education schools in Arizona
Scottsdale, AZ
A+Overall grade63 students2 students per teacher
#10 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Winston School
Special education school · Grades 6–12
Smaller classes than 80% of special education schools in California
Del Mar, CA
A+Overall grade94 students6 students per teacher
#11 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Spectrum Center - Tara Hills
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Smaller classes than 98% of special education schools in California
San Pablo, CA
A+Overall grade41 students1 students per teacher
#12 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Assets School
Special education school · Grades 1–12
The only special education school in Honolulu
Honolulu, HI
A+Overall grade287 students6 students per teacher
#13 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Children's Center for Neurodevelopmental Studies
Special education school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only special education school in Glendale
Glendale, AZ
A+Overall grade63 students7 students per teacher
#14 Best Special Education Schools in the West
DLD Sycamore School
Special education school · Grades 2–12
Smaller classes than 62% of special education schools nationwide
Albuquerque, NM
A+Overall grade60 students5 students per teacher
#15 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Victory Academy
Special education school · Ungraded
The only special education school in Sherwood
Sherwood, OR
A+Overall grade75 students4 students per teacher
#16 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Hope Technology School
Special education school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest special education school in Palo Alto
Palo Alto, CA
A+Overall grade92 students7 students per teacher
#17 Best Special Education Schools in the West
The Springstone School
Special education school · Grades 6–12
The only special education school in Lafayette
Lafayette, CA
AOverall grade42 students4 students per teacher
#18 Best Special Education Schools in the West
The Hillside School & Learning Center
Special education school · Grades 6–12
The only special education school in La Canada Flintridge
La Canada Flintridge, CA
AOverall grade38 students6 students per teacher
#19 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Oak Hill School
Special education school · Ungraded
Growing: enrollment up 62% since 2011–12
San Anselmo, CA
AOverall grade52 students7 students per teacher
#20 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Rise Resource Center
Special education school · Grades K–12
The only special education school in Cottonwood
Cottonwood, AZ
AOverall grade58 students2 students per teacher
#21 Best Special Education Schools in the West
New Vista School
Special education school · Grades 7–12
Smaller classes than 69% of special education schools in California
Laguna Hills, CA
AOverall grade62 students4 students per teacher
#22 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Aldar Academy
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Serving families in Sacramento since at least 2011
Sacramento, CA
AOverall grade58 students8 students per teacher
#23 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Star Autism Academy
Special education school · Grades K–9
Small classes: about 8 students per teacher
Phoenix, AZ
AOverall grade56 students8 students per teacher
#24 Best Special Education Schools in the West
Del Sol School
Special education school · Grades 1–12
The only special education school in Cypress
Cypress, CA
AOverall grade30 students6 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.