For the 2026 school year, there are 19 private schools belonging to California Association of Private Special Education Schools (CAPSES) serving 1,147 students in California. You can also find more schools membership associations in California.
The top-ranked private schools belonging to California Association of Private Special Education Schools (CAPSES) in California include The Marianne Frostig Center for Eductional Therapy, The Winston School of San Diego, and Cheerful Helpers Therapeutic School.
The average acceptance rate is 83%, which is higher than the California private school average acceptance rate of 81%.
Top-Ranked Private Schools Belonging to California Association of Private Special Education Schools (CAPSES) in California (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Cheerful Helpers Therapeutic School![Cheerful Helpers Therapeutic School Photo - Kindergarten / 1st Grade classroom]( "Cheerful Helpers Therapeutic School Photo - Kindergarten / 1st Grade classroom")
Special Education School
1986 W. Jefferson
Los Angeles, CA 90018
(213) 387-7252
Los Angeles, CA 90018
(213) 387-7252
Gr: NS-1 | 12 students Avg. class size: 6 students Tuition listed
The Marianne Frostig Center for Eductional Therapy![The Marianne Frostig Center for Eductional Therapy Photo - Arts education is a core value at Frostig School.]( "The Marianne Frostig Center for Eductional Therapy Photo - Arts education is a core value at Frostig School.")
Special Education School
971 N. Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 791-1255
Pasadena, CA 91107
(626) 791-1255
Gr: 1-12 | 218 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Switzer Learning Center![Switzer Learning Center Photo - Core Values]( "Switzer Learning Center Photo - Core Values")
Special Education School
2201 Amapola Court
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 328-3611
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 328-3611
Gr: 5-12 | 62 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
215 9th Street
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 259-8155
Del Mar, CA 92014
(858) 259-8155
Gr: 6-12 | 95 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 15 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
A Better Chance School/cal Autism Foundation
Special Education School
4138 Lakeside Dr
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510) 262-1500
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510) 262-1500
Gr: Inquire with school | 44 students Avg. class size: 8 students Tuition listed
4436 Engle Road
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 485-9685
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 485-9685
Gr: K-12 | 56 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
4027 Normal Street
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 296-2135
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 296-2135
Gr: 4-12 | 34 students Avg. class size: 8 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
Bonnie Silverman![Bonnie Silverman Photo - Arbor Bay School students learn how to learn. Our ultimate goal is to give students the tools to successfully transition to a traditional classroom environment.]( "Bonnie Silverman Photo - Arbor Bay School students learn how to learn. Our ultimate goal is to give students the tools to successfully transition to a traditional classroom environment.")
Special Education School
1017 CEDAR ST
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 244-1519
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 244-1519
Gr: K-8 | 36 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
437 W San Bernardino Rd. Room 111, Covina CA 91723
Covina, CA 91724
(626) 967-7153
Covina, CA 91724
(626) 967-7153
Gr: NS-PK | 109 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Creekside School
Special Education School
5629 Lean Ave.
San Jose, CA 95123
(408) 448-2494
San Jose, CA 95123
(408) 448-2494
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Avg. class size: 6 students Extracurrculars: 2 Tuition listed
Elliott Institute
Special Education School
2506 Foothill Blvd
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 236-3603
La Crescenta, CA 91214
(818) 236-3603
Gr: K-12 | 26 students Avg. class size: 11 students Tuition listed
Halsey Schools Inc![Halsey Schools Inc Photo]( "Halsey Schools Inc Photo")
Daycare / Preschool
21321 Costanso St.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 992-1942
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 992-1942
Gr: NS-PK | 75 students Avg. class size: 8 students Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
Kinship Academy![Kinship Academy Photo]( "Kinship Academy Photo")
Special Education School
2720 S Bascom Avenue
San Jose, CA 95124
(408) 559-7500
San Jose, CA 95124
(408) 559-7500
Gr: 4-12 | 10 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Mardan School![Mardan School Photo - Mardan School located in Woodbridge Village in the City of Irvine serves students in grades K - 12 with learning or social difficulties. Mardan 's therapeutic program benefits children with a wide range of disabilities. Students can be placed privately or by a school district if an IEP team determines that it can't meet the child's needs.]( "Mardan School Photo - Mardan School located in Woodbridge Village in the City of Irvine serves students in grades K - 12 with learning or social difficulties. Mardan 's therapeutic program benefits children with a wide range of disabilities. Students can be placed privately or by a school district if an IEP team determines that it can't meet the child's needs.")
Special Education School
1 Osborn
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 733-1500
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 733-1500
Gr: K-12 | 63 students Avg. class size: 9 students Tuition listed
Operation New Hope High School
Vocational/Technical School
8520 Archibald Ave. Bldg. #20
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 294-6001
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
(909) 294-6001
Gr: 11-12 | 39 students Avg. class size: 15 students Acceptance rate listed
Plumfield Academy![Plumfield Academy Photo - Student projects are enjoyed at the annual Academic Awards.]( "Plumfield Academy Photo - Student projects are enjoyed at the annual Academic Awards.")
All-boys | Special Education School
9360 Occidental Rd
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 824-1414
Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 824-1414
Gr: 4-11 | 18 students Avg. class size: 5 students Tuition listed
Spectrum Center - Tara Hills
Special Education School
16330 San Pablo Ave
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510) 724-4494
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510) 724-4494
Gr: 1-12 | 38 students Avg. class size: 8 students
Speech & Language Development Center![Speech & Language Development Center Photo - Welcome to SLDC! Located in the heart of Buena Park on a former elementary school campus we proudly serve children and adults with exceptional needs from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.]( "Speech & Language Development Center Photo - Welcome to SLDC! Located in the heart of Buena Park on a former elementary school campus we proudly serve children and adults with exceptional needs from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.")
Special Education School
8699 Holder St.
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 821-3620
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 821-3620
Gr: 1-12 | 136 students
Westview School![Westview School Photo - Welcome to Westview!]( "Westview School Photo - Welcome to Westview!")
Special Education School
11801 Mississippi Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 751-1117
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 751-1117
Gr: 7-12 | 48 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 5 Tuition listed
Recent Articles
Financial Aid 101 for Private School Families 2026
Guide to private school financial aid in 2026, with current costs, key planning timelines and practical steps parents need to maximize aid options.
Why Extracurricular Activities Matter in 2026
Discover why extracurricular activities remain essential in 2026, with updated research, costs, and admissions insights for parents and students.
How to Appeal for Financial Aid After Admission
Learn how to appeal for financial aid after admission to a private school, with expert steps, timelines, and 2026 updates for families.
