Catalyst Academy - El Sobrante

La Cheim School is a nonsectarian, nonpublic school operated by La Cheim School, Inc. in El Sobrante, California. It provides K-12 education as part of a broader continuum of educational and mental health services for vulnerable and marginalized youth in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The school serves students in grades 6-12 who have been identified through their Individualized Education Programs as having social/emotional, behavioral, and learning needs, including co-occurring intellectual delays and mental health challenges, that cannot be met in traditional school settings. Students are referred by partner school districts and charter schools. The program features small classroom sizes (maximum 12 students), skilled teachers, and education support staff to deliver individualized special education services. A multidisciplinary team including a Registered Nurse, licensed and license-eligible clinicians, and a psychiatrist supports students' mental health needs alongside academics. The school emphasizes trauma-informed care and a holistic wrap-around approach. Enrollment and placement occur through district referrals rather than direct family application.