#1 Best Special Education Schools in California
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 California
The highest-graded schools of this kind in California. Top 50 of 93 schools.
#2 Best Special Education Schools in California
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 California
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 California
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 California
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 California
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
#7 Best Special Education Schools in California
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
#8 Best Special Education Schools in California
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
#9 Best Special Education Schools in California
The Springstone School
Special education school · Grades 6–12
The only special education school in Lafayette
Lafayette, CA
AOverall grade42 students4 students per teacher
#10 Best Special Education Schools in California
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
#11 Best Special Education Schools in California
Oak Hill School
Special education school · Ungraded
Growing: enrollment up 62% since 2011–12
San Anselmo, CA
AOverall grade52 students7 students per teacher
#12 Best Special Education Schools in California
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
#13 Best Special Education Schools in California
Aldar Academy
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Serving families in Sacramento since at least 2011
Sacramento, CA
AOverall grade58 students8 students per teacher
#14 Best Special Education Schools in California
Del Sol School
Special education school · Grades 1–12
The only special education school in Cypress
Cypress, CA
AOverall grade30 students6 students per teacher
#15 Best Special Education Schools in California
The Helix School
Special education school · Grades K–12
Smaller classes than 92% of special education schools in California
San Rafael, CA
AOverall grade43 students4 students per teacher
#16 Best Special Education Schools in California
The Bay School
Special education school · Ungraded
The only special education school in Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA
AOverall grade33 students7 students per teacher
#17 Best Special Education Schools in California
Read Academy of Sacramento
Special education school · Grades 3–11
Smaller classes than 93% of special education schools in California
Sacramento, CA
AOverall grade47 students4 students per teacher
#18 Best Special Education Schools in California
Littlet Citizen Westside Acd
Special education school · Ungraded
Smaller classes than 65% of special education schools in California
Los Angeles, CA
AOverall grade50 students7 students per teacher
#19 Best Special Education Schools in California
Achieve
Special education school · Grades 1–12
Smaller classes than 62% of special education schools in California
Palo Alto, CA
AOverall grade58 students7 students per teacher
#20 Best Special Education Schools in California
Charles Armstrong School
Special education school · Grades 2–8
The largest of 138 special education schools in California
Belmont, CA
AOverall grade239 students6 students per teacher
#21 Best Special Education Schools in California
A Better Chance School
Special education school · Grades 3–12
The only special education school in Richmond
Richmond, CA
AOverall grade44 students7 students per teacher
#22 Best Special Education Schools in California
Second Start-Pine Hill School
Special education school · Grades 1–12
The largest special education school in San Jose
San Jose, CA
AOverall grade71 students9 students per teacher
#23 Best Special Education Schools in California
Loomis Gateway Academy
Special education school · Grades 2–8
Smaller classes than 74% of special education schools in California
Loomis, CA
AOverall grade41 students3 students per teacher
#24 Best Special Education Schools in California
The Burkard School
Special education school · Grades 2–8
The only special education school in San Mateo
San Mateo, CA
AOverall grade34 students3 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.