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Best Special Needs Schools in Cudahy, California (2026)

Compare 3 special needs schools in Cudahy. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in Cudahy

1

Cudahy Pre-School Academy

Listed
Cudahy, CAAges 2-5Free or subsidized for eligible families

Cudahy Pre-School Academy is the Cudahy campus of Kids 1st Learning Center, a Los Angeles County early education provider that has served families for more than 25 years from centers in Pacoima, San Fernando, Downey, Bell Gardens and Cudahy. From 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, our center on Clara Street cares for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, offering both full-day care and half-day preschool sessions. We take part in Los Angeles County child care subsidy programs, so eligible low-income families can enroll at reduced or no cost. Our preschool curriculum builds early literacy, math, science and problem-solving skills to prepare children for kindergarten, with art, music, story time and outdoor play built into the day. Teachers write a personal growth plan for each child based on interests and areas where support is needed, and we support children with disabilities in our programs. Meals and snacks are prepared by our food service specialists, and we accommodate dietary needs. Half-day preschoolers also have circle time, an arts enrichment period and quiet rest time.

  • Preschool and child care center
  • Subsidized child care
  • Kindergarten readiness
  • Private school
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Exterior of Jaime Escalante Early Education Center with name banner.
2

Jaime Escalante Early Education Center

Listed
Cudahy, CAAges 2-5

Jaime Escalante Early Education Center is dedicated to providing quality early education for preschool children aged 2 to 5 years, focusing on creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. The school's core mission emphasizes the importance of laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning, encouraging independence and curiosity in its students. With a highly effective teaching staff, the center offers developmentally appropriate hands-on learning experiences that promote social-emotional skills, language development, early math concepts, and problem-solving abilities. A standout feature of the school is its Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom, where children are encouraged to connect with and explore the natural world around them. Jaime Escalante Early Education Center fosters strong family partnerships, recognizing that parental involvement is crucial to a child's success. The center prides itself on maintaining low student-teacher ratios, ensuring personalized attention and support for each child's unique developmental journey. This commitment to an inclusive and stimulating educational environment makes Jaime Escalante Early Education Center a distinctive choice for families seeking a supportive foundation for their children's growth and learning.

  • School
  • Private school
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3

Teresa Hughes Elementary School

Listed
Cudahy, CA

Teresa P. Hughes Elementary/Magnet School is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for students, particularly those with diverse learning needs, including language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional learners. The school's core mission revolves around providing a high-quality, culturally rich education that emphasizes both academic success and the social-emotional well-being of each child. Utilizing innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies, Teresa P. Hughes Elementary focuses on personalized learning experiences that engage students in meaningful ways. The school prides itself on a low student-teacher ratio, which allows for individualized attention and strong partnerships with families, ensuring that every child feels supported and valued. Unique community events further enrich the educational experience, creating a vibrant atmosphere where students can thrive academically and socially.

  • Elementary school
  • Learning differences
  • Twice-exceptional
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Planning guides

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Comparing school options in Cudahy

Los Angeles Unified runs public schools in Cudahy, including Elizabeth Learning Center, a K through 12 campus on Elizabeth Street. LAUSD is its own Special Education Local Plan Area, and its Child Find rules decide where a Cudahy family sends an evaluation request: the public school of residence for TK and older, the charter school for charter students, and the district of residence for private school students.

LAUSD requires every special education evaluation request to be in writing, and staff are available to help a parent who cannot write one. For a child already in school, the principal can bring in the Student Support and Progress Team to try interventions, though a written request starts the legal timeline. Children younger than 2 years 10 months go to a regional center. From 2 years 10 months, the Early Childhood Special Education office takes referrals at 213-241-4713. Confirm your school of residence by address.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in Cudahy

My child attends a charter school in Cudahy. Who evaluates them?
LAUSD's Child Find page tells families of school-age children enrolled in a charter school to contact the child's charter school of attendance. The charter school then handles the referral under its own special education arrangements. Put your request in writing and keep a dated copy. Our guide on requesting an evaluation covers what to include.
What if my Cudahy child attends a private school?
Los Angeles County SELPAs agree that Child Find for a student in a private school belongs to the district of residence, the district where the student lives. LAUSD says written requests for an initial evaluation go to the district of residence. Parents may also send a request to LAUSD's Parentally Placed Private School Office for eligibility only. Services for private school students can differ from an IEP at a public school.
Which regional center serves a Cudahy toddler?
LAUSD lists six regional centers for children younger than 2 years 10 months: Eastern Los Angeles, Frank D. Lanterman, Harbor, North Los Angeles County, South Central Los Angeles, and Westside. LAUSD posts each center's phone number on its Child Find page. Each center covers defined areas of Los Angeles County, so ask which one serves your home address. Our early intervention guide explains Early Start.
What happens at an LAUSD IEP meeting after the assessment?
After you sign the assessment plan, California Education Code 56043 gives the district 60 days to determine eligibility and hold an IEP meeting, not counting school breaks over five schooldays. At the meeting, the team, including you, reviews the results and decides on eligibility, goals, and services. You can ask for an interpreter. Our IEP guide explains each part of the meeting.

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