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

Bowditch is a middle school in the SMFC School District, which educates about 10,500 students in San Mateo County. We are a cell phone free learning environment, and every student receives a Yondr pouch on the first day of school. Coursework covers English language arts, math, science, social studies, PE and music, with English Language Development for multilingual learners and a college and career exploration program. Students use ST Math, and after school they can join drama through Bowditch Theater or play sports in the Art David Athletic League, a program funded almost entirely by parent donations through the SMFC Education Foundation. Our counseling team helps students with personal and academic concerns, and a School Safety Advocate leads individual and group counseling, including Girls United groups. Social-emotional lessons use Second Step. Students who qualify for special education have an IEP, and district services include a Resource Specialist Program, special day classes and related services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, adapted PE, deaf and hard of hearing services and educationally related mental health services.

• Public middle school
• Deaf and hard of hearing
• Cell phone free campus
• Public school

Challenge School has taught Mandarin and English to Bay Area children since 2003, and our Foster City campus on Balclutha Drive is home to our youngest learners. The Deer Class welcomes toddlers from 18 to 30 months, with no potty training required, and the Bear Class serves children from 30 to 42 months. The program runs full day, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Our preschools are NAEYC accredited and follow developmentally appropriate practice. Mornings are Mandarin immersion through poems, songs, games, art and daily conversation, led mostly by native-speaking teachers with early childhood training, using six Chinese textbooks we wrote for 3 to 6 year olds. Afternoons bring English, with Zoo-phonics for early literacy and Kindermusik for music. Toddler classrooms focus on social and emotional skills such as self-care and getting along with peers, and classrooms are set up with block, dramatic play, art, sensory and music centers. Our network also includes preschools in San Mateo, San Carlos and Fremont and Chinese schools for older students. We accept subsidized payments.

• Mandarin bilingual toddler and preschool
• Mandarin immersion
• Bilingual education
• Creative Curriculum

Mrs. K's House Preschool is a private in-home preschool dedicated to fostering creativity and growth in young children. With a mission centered around providing a warm, nurturing environment, the school serves children in their formative years, focusing on those who thrive in a play-based learning setting. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support emotional, intellectual, and physical development through engaging activities that promote cooperative play and hands-on learning experiences. This approach allows children to naturally reach their social, emotional, and physical milestones while feeling safe and supported. What sets Mrs. K's House Preschool apart is its low student-teacher ratio, ensuring personalized attention for each child and fostering strong relationships between educators and families. The preschool not only emphasizes individual growth but also creates a community where families can actively participate in their children's educational journeys.

• Preschool
• Private school

Odyssey Preschool & Montessori is a nurturing educational environment dedicated to inspiring independence and fostering curiosity in young learners. Serving children from 2.5 years old, the school is particularly adept at accommodating those with unique developmental needs, including language-based learning disabilities and social anxieties. Guided by the principles of the Montessori philosophy, Odyssey emphasizes child-centered learning, allowing each student to flourish at their own pace through hands-on experiences that promote emotional, social, and cognitive growth. The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to reflect the rich diversity of the Bay Area, incorporating global perspectives and multiple languages to cultivate respect and understanding among children from various backgrounds. Key programs focus on essential skills such as social/emotional regulation, language development, practical life skills, and cultural diversity through engaging activities that stimulate all five senses. What sets Odyssey apart is its low student-teacher ratio and strong emphasis on family partnerships, ensuring personalized attention for each child while fostering a supportive community where parents can actively engage in their children's learning journey. With specialized facilities and a commitment to holistic development, Odyssey Preschool & Montessori stands out as a place where every child's journey begins with joy, discovery, and mastery.

• Preschool
• Learning differences
• social anxieties
• Montessori

Omni Montessori Preschool follows Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy, and our classrooms are kept quiet, calm and carefully prepared so children can choose meaningful work and learn by discovery. Children work across the classic Montessori areas. Practical life builds concentration and fine motor skills through pouring, folding, sewing and cutting. Sensorial materials train the five senses. Math moves from concrete rods, spindles and beads to written symbols, and language follows a phonics approach that introduces lowercase letters first. Geography, botany and zoology connect children to the wider world, music and movement come during circle time, and art is woven into daily activities. We offer two, three and five day programs, half or full day, with full days ending at 3:30 or 5:30. Children must be toilet trained. Registration is open all year, our cycle begins in September, and all sessions include field trips and book bags.

• Montessori preschool
• Montessori
• Private school