Best Special Needs Schools in Chula Vista, California (2026)

East Hills Academy began in November 2006 as the Sweetwater Union High School District's local alternative for students in grades 7 through 12 with severe learning, emotional, social (autism) or cognitive disabilities. Our classrooms sit on the Olympian High School campus in Chula Vista, so students stay close to home and have access to mainstream programs and extracurricular activities. We run three programs: mild/moderate, moderate, and moderate/severe. Most mild/moderate students are diploma-bound and learn in the Robison Center Wing, with no more than 12 students per class. Students ages 13 to 22 in moderate/severe self-contained classes in the Hawkins Center Wing work toward a Certificate of Completion with transition plans, in classes capped at seven. Assistive technology, speech therapy, occupational therapy and counseling are built into each student's daily schedule, along with behavior support and social communication and daily living skills instruction. Students follow the core curriculum with reading mastery across subjects and direct instruction in study and organizational skills, and they can take high school electives. Outside class we offer an after-school program, athletics and intramural sports, CrossFit EHA and clubs.

• Public special education school (grades 7-12)
• Autism
• Learning differences
• Emotional disabilities