Top 10 Best Special Needs Schools in Folsom, California (2026)

Joyce and her mother Jeanette started Action Day Learning Center in 1980, and our family still owns and runs it today across three centers in Folsom and Orangevale. Our Folsom center sits on Stafford Street off East Natoma Street near Old Folsom, next to Folsom City Park and the Folsom City Zoo, and our classes walk over regularly to visit the animals. Several teachers have been with us for more than 25 years, and some are our own former students. We care for children ages 2 to 12. Early Learners (ages 2 to 3) sing, dance, read and practice the calendar every day. Preschool (3 to 4), Pre-K (4) and Transitional Kindergarten (4 to 5) children rotate through discovery rooms for math, art, language, dramatic play and circle time while they build pre-reading, writing and early math skills for kindergarten, then head outside to our play yards. Our school-age program for children 5 to 12 offers before and after school care with free van pickup and drop-off at local elementary schools, including Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary from this center. Summer brings field trips and swimming twice a week.

• Preschool and child care center
• Kindergarten readiness
• Family-owned since 1980
• Transportation

Blanche Sprentz Elementary is a transitional kindergarten through 5th grade school in Folsom Cordova Unified. Our Bears R.O.C.K. expectations anchor a schoolwide Positive Behavior Intervention Supports program, and we teach and celebrate them throughout the day, with social emotional learning alongside academics. Students learn from grade-level teams from TK through 5th grade, with physical education, a school library with a TK-5 young readers collection and academic support resources. Families who need a different setting can use our independent study option. Parents help lead through our PTO, the School Site Council and the English Learner Advisory Committee. Before and after school care is available through the district's student care program, and families can request mental health support.

• Public elementary school (TK-5)
• PBIS
• Public school

Empire Oaks Elementary is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for students, particularly those with unique learning needs. Serving children from preschool through elementary age, the school specializes in supporting students with language-based learning disabilities and those who are twice-exceptional. The core mission emphasizes growth and development, ensuring that every child feels valued and capable of reaching their full potential. The school employs a variety of innovative programs and therapeutic methodologies tailored to meet the diverse needs of its students. These approaches include individualized education plans (IEPs) and specialized instruction that focus on enhancing both academic skills and social-emotional learning. With a commitment to evidence-based practices, educators at Empire Oaks work collaboratively with families to create supportive learning experiences that empower each child. What sets Empire Oaks Elementary apart is its low student-teacher ratio, which allows for personalized attention and fosters strong relationships between educators and students. Additionally, the school prioritizes family engagement through regular communication and community events that strengthen partnerships between home and school. The welcoming atmosphere is further enhanced by specialized facilities designed to support various learning styles, making it a unique haven for children to thrive academically and socially.

• Elementary school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Public school

Folsom Lake Montessori Academy is a nurturing educational environment dedicated to fostering independent and confident learners from infancy through Kindergarten. Serving children in Folsom, California, this academy specializes in providing quality childcare and education for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners, with a focus on developing well-rounded individuals through the Montessori method. The curriculum encompasses essential subjects such as Math, Science, English, Geography, and Practical Life Experiences, all designed to engage young minds and promote a love for learning. With certified Montessori-trained teachers at the helm, Folsom Lake Montessori Academy ensures that every child receives personalized attention in a safe and secure setting enhanced by advanced communication technologies like Brightwheel for effective parent-teacher interaction. Unique to this academy is its commitment to enriching educational experiences through special events like field trips and seasonal activities that celebrate family engagement. The low student-teacher ratio further distinguishes Folsom Lake Montessori Academy as an ideal choice for parents seeking a supportive community where children can thrive academically and socially.

• Montessori school
• inclusive
• may accommodate mild differences
• Montessori

Folsom Middle School, home of the Jaguars, serves grades 6 to 8 in Folsom Cordova Unified School District. We were named a 2024 California Distinguished School. Students follow SPOTS: being Safe, Positive, On task, taking Responsibility, and showing Respect. Our special education department offers specialized English, math, and study skills classes at each grade level, so students get focused instruction in each core area. Counselors help incoming sixth graders settle into middle school and provide wellness resources for students throughout the year. An active PTO supports school programs and volunteers.

• Public middle school
• Marzano High Reliability School
• Public school

Folsom Montessori, established in 1980, was Folsom's pioneering Montessori school dedicated to nurturing young minds through a unique educational approach. Serving children in preschool, PreK, and kindergarten, the school fostered a warm and inclusive environment where families thrived for over four decades. Although the original location has transitioned to new ownership as of May 25, 2023, Lise Witthaus, the founder, continues her commitment to education by offering specialized private tutoring and enrichment sessions at her home for PreK through second-grade students. These personalized sessions focus on essential skills such as phonics, reading, writing, and math, ensuring tailored support for each child's learning journey. What sets this program apart is its intimate setting that promotes individualized attention and a strong connection between the educator and students. This nurturing approach not only supports academic growth but also fosters a love for learning in every child.

• Montessori school
• may accommodate mild differences
• Montessori
• Private school

Little Folks University, located in Folsom, CA, is a nurturing and interactive preschool dedicated to fostering a lifelong love for learning in children from infancy through elementary school age. With a core mission centered on recognizing the unique qualities of each child, the school provides personalized educational experiences tailored to meet diverse needs, including those with language-based learning disabilities and other special requirements. The approach at Little Folks University emphasizes a balanced and engaging curriculum that promotes overall well-being and development. Through a combination of stimulating activities and individualized attention from dedicated teachers, children are encouraged to build confidence, develop essential skills, and thrive in a safe and supportive environment. What sets Little Folks University apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, which facilitates strong relationships between educators and families. This unique aspect fosters an inclusive community where parents are valued partners in their child's education, ensuring that every child feels secure and empowered to explore their potential.

• Preschool
• Private school

Mangini Ranch Elementary School is a Folsom Cordova Unified School District campus on Sparrow Drive in Folsom, serving transitional kindergarten through fifth grade, with preschool students on site as well. Our TK program balances child-initiated play with teacher-directed lessons, building phonemic awareness, letter-sound skills, early writing and number sense through hands-on activities and manipulatives. Every class visits our library once a week. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade check out books weekly, preschool and TK students come for story time and activities, and families can add to the collection through the Birthday Book Club. In the spring, fifth graders take a math placement test that sets their middle school math course. The district runs a daily Expanded Learning program at each elementary school for before and after school care. We also offer an independent study option, an English Learner Advisory Committee for families of English learners, and an active PTA that supports our Longhorns.

• Public elementary school (TK-5)
• Transitional kindergarten
• Public school

Natoma Station Elementary serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Folsom Cordova Unified School District. The Cheetahs learn in a school that connects academic work with positive relationships and contributions to their community. Reading instruction, a school library and grade-level academics form part of that everyday experience; clubs and student council give children ways to participate beyond class. Natoma Station earned a Gold PBIS implementation award for the 2024–25 school year. Its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports approach teaches expectations and recognizes good choices through Cheetah Champs and Character Counts assemblies. All students take Second Step social-emotional lessons on learning skills, empathy, emotional management and problem-solving. Families can follow grade-specific Second Step units and reinforce those same skills through conversations at home. Children who need more help can receive targeted small-group support, while some use individual check-ins with a staff mentor and a goal plan. That tiered approach is a documented part of the school's regular support system. The campus also invites families into garden and art docent work. The garden program, running club and other student groups make room for activity and exploration, while its PTO, English Learner Advisory Committee and School Site Council create ways for caregivers to join school life. Natoma Station is at 500 Turn Pike Drive, Folsom, CA 95630.

• Elementary school
• Public school

Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary on Russi Road is a Folsom Cordova Unified school serving transitional kindergarten through fifth grade. Our students are the Gallardo Gators, and families know the campus as The Swamp. We teach six character traits we call the 6 B's: be safe, be kind, be respectful, be responsible, be on task and be present. In kindergarten, children build phonics, sight words, counting, shapes and early science through hands-on activities and guided play, with social skills like cooperation and conflict resolution taught alongside academics. Older students use Accelerated Reader through our library, and fifth graders can enter the district's middle school mathematics pathway. Families who need a home-based option can ask about independent study, and our health office is staffed by a nurse and a health assistant. Families can arrange before and after care through the district's student care program. Community partners also offer fee-based after-school clubs on campus, and an active PTA organizes activities for students and families.

• Public elementary school (TK to 5)
• Character education (6 B's)
• Public school