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Top 5 Best Special Needs Schools in Brentwood, California (2026)

Compare 5 special needs schools in Brentwood. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Brentwood

1

Dainty Montessori School by Olivina Education

Listed
Brentwood, CAAges 2-5

Dainty Montessori School is a small Montessori school on Dainty Avenue in Brentwood with four classrooms: two toddler rooms for children 18 months to 3 years and two preschool rooms for children ages 3 to 5. Toddler rooms center on sensory exploration and foundational skills, and preschool rooms use the Montessori method to build independence, critical thinking and social skills. Our 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekday hours suit families who need full-day care. Our director also leads a preschool classroom and holds an M.A.Ed., a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and a bachelor's degree in sociology, with experience in both private and public education. Each week a four-person team from Employ America, an organization that places adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in jobs, works at our school with a coach to help care for the facility and support our teachers. We also host a free quarterly Parent Survival Night, when enrolled children and their siblings stay with us so parents can have an evening out.

  • Montessori preschool and toddler program
  • Montessori
  • Full-day care
  • Private school
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2

Heritage High School

Listed
Brentwood, CAGrades 9-12

Heritage High School is part of Liberty Union High School District, dedicated to fostering academic and personal success for all students. The district serves approximately 8,200 students across five comprehensive high schools, focusing on critical thinking, effective communication, and responsible decision-making within a safe and personalized environment. With a commitment to valuing diversity and collaboration, Heritage High provides tailored educational experiences through comprehensive special education services including IEP/504 plans, resource programs, and special day classes. The school employs innovative programs and support systems designed to meet individual learning needs while promoting mastery of essential knowledge. Heritage High maintains strong partnerships with families that enhance the educational experience and hosts community events that foster inclusivity and engagement. This comprehensive public high school provides all mandated special education services and supports, but is not a special needs-only or therapeutic campus.

  • High school
  • Public school
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3

La Paloma High School

Listed
Brentwood, CAGrades 9-12

La Paloma High School is part of Liberty Union High School District, serving as an alternative high school option dedicated to fostering academic and personal success for all students. The district serves approximately 8,200 students across five high schools, emphasizing critical thinking, effective communication, and responsible decision-making in a safe and inclusive environment. La Paloma is committed to valuing diversity and collaboration, ensuring that every student can thrive through comprehensive special education services including IEP/504 plans, resource programs, and counseling support. The district employs a variety of educational strategies and support systems, including counseling and academic assistance, which contribute to strong graduation outcomes. With 29 Advanced Placement courses available across the district, students are encouraged to engage in rigorous academic pursuits that prepare them for college and beyond. La Paloma High maintains strong family partnerships and fosters personalized attention, creating a nurturing community that supports each student's unique journey toward success. This public continuation/alternative high school provides all mandated special education and support services.

  • High school
  • Public school
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Love For Learning preschool sign and mailbox in front of the school.
4

Love For Learning

Listed
Brentwood, CAGrades PreK-5

Love for Learning is a nurturing educational institution dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young learners. Serving children from preschool through early elementary grades, the school creates an inclusive environment where every child can thrive academically and socially. The school employs a variety of innovative programs designed to cater to diverse learning styles, with a focus on individualized instruction that integrates play-based learning, Spanish immersion, and targeted skill-building activities that empower students to build confidence. What sets Love for Learning apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which ensures personalized attention and support for each child. Additionally, strong partnerships with families are fostered through regular communication and community events that engage parents in their child's educational journey. This mainstream, inclusive preschool does not offer formal special needs or therapeutic programming.

  • Preschool
  • Private school
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Toddler Preschool Kindgergarten Montessori School in Brentwood
5

Montessori School of Brentwood

Listed
Brentwood, CAAges 2-5

The Montessori School of Brentwood is committed to fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive. Serving the Brentwood community since 2000, the school embraces the principles of Maria Montessori, recognizing each child as a unique individual with boundless potential. Catering to children aged two through kindergarten, the school provides a seamless educational journey during these formative years, emphasizing the development of social, emotional, and cognitive skills. The curriculum is designed to engage young learners in a hands-on manner, exploring language arts, mathematics, practical life skills, and cultural studies in an inclusive setting. With experienced educators who hold state-required qualifications and Montessori credentials, the school maintains a low student-teacher ratio of one teacher for every twelve children to ensure personalized attention. This mainstream Montessori program welcomes all children in an inclusive environment but does not offer specialized special needs or therapeutic programming.

  • Montessori school
  • Montessori
  • Private school
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Nearby school options

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Planning guides

Plan your next school conversation in Brentwood

Use these guides before you contact programs, schedule tours, or ask your IEP team how a proposed setting will support your child's goals.

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Comparing school options in Brentwood

Brentwood Union School District serves Brentwood for kindergarten through eighth grade, and Liberty Union High School District takes over for grades 9 through 12. Two districts mean two special education offices and two IEP teams, so plan the handoff during seventh grade rather than the summer before ninth.

Contra Costa SELPA lists Brentwood Union's special education director, and the district keeps separate referral forms for preschool and private-school students. Children under three go through the Regional Center of the East Bay, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education runs Early Start classes at Krey Elementary in Brentwood. Families searching for autism schools here will find public classrooms, county programs and private schools. Each sets its own admission rules, so compare them against the supports written into the IEP. Ask the district office to confirm which referral route fits your address and your child's age before you submit anything.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Brentwood

Where do families find autism-focused schools in Brentwood?
Start with what the IEP offers: general education with support, a special day class, or a county office program. Then look at private schools serving autistic students, which set their own admissions. Ask each who delivers speech and behavior support and how staff respond when a child is overwhelmed. For therapy, see ABA therapy in Brentwood.
Does Brentwood Union test for dyslexia?
Students in kindergarten through second grade take a state-required reading screener each year, and a flagged result should lead to support. You can also ask in writing for a full assessment at any grade. BEST meeting topics have included behavior and executive functioning. For ADHD, see our 504 vs IEP guide.
What if I enroll my Brentwood child in a private school?
Tuition is yours. Brentwood Union asks private-school families to use its separate referral form, but a privately placed child receives only a proportionate share of federal services, not a full IEP. Which district handles Child Find depends on where the school sits. Charter schools charge no tuition.
Can Brentwood families get state money for private tuition in 2026-27?
Only through an IEP. The state education department says California has no state program that pays private school tuition, except when a district places a student with a disability in a nonpublic school. Article IX, Section 8 of the state constitution also bars public money for schools outside public control. If the team places a child in a certified nonpublic school, the district pays under contract.
What should I ask on a school visit?
Ask for teacher credentials, adults per classroom, and which therapies happen on campus rather than off site. Ask what the behavior approach is, including restraint, and how often you receive written progress on goals. At a nonpublic school, ask to see its current state certification.
How do I request an evaluation in Brentwood?
Send a dated written request to your child's school or the Brentwood Union special education office. The district keeps a separate form for private-school students. Children under three start with Early Start at the Regional Center of the East Bay, which serves Contra Costa County. Our IEP guide lists what to bring.
What changes when my child reaches high school?
Liberty Union High School District serves Brentwood for grades 9 through 12, so the IEP moves to a new district team. The county office also runs a transition program at Liberty High School in Brentwood. Ask both districts to meet before eighth grade ends so services carry over.
Is there a Brentwood parent group for special education?
Brentwood Embraces Students Together meets monthly at the district office. Each meeting pairs a training on a special education topic with a listening session led by the director. Recent topics include IEPs, behavior, transitions and executive functioning. Ask the district for the next meeting date.

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