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Best Special Needs Schools in La Verne, California (2026)

Compare 2 special needs schools in La Verne. Explore the ranked list and find a program that feels right for your child.

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School listings in La Verne

1

Haynes Education Center - La Verne

Listed
La Verne, CAGrades K-12 & up to 22Tuition-free; students placed by school districts

Haynes Education Center, part of Haynes Family of Programs, is a non-public school accredited by the California Department of Education. It provides kindergarten through 12th grade educational services to boys and girls ages 5 to 22 who meet eligibility criteria for learning disabled or emotionally challenged students. The school works in partnership with school districts and parents. IEP teams from contracting districts determine placement. The enrollment process includes a campus tour, application, student and parent interview, and review of records. If admitted, the district issues an individual service contract. The campus offers a highly structured environment with elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, computer learning centers, a library, music center, occupational therapy lab, and secured play areas. It serves both day students from multiple Southern California districts and residential students.

  • Private special education non-public school
  • Autism
  • Learning differences
  • Emotional challenges
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2

Joan Macy School - La Verne

Listed
La Verne, CAGrades K-12Tuition-free for students placed by school districts

Joan Macy School is a specialized non-public school located on the campus of David & Margaret Youth and Family Services in La Verne, California. It provides academic instruction and support for students in grades 1 through 12 who are referred and placed by their local school districts through their IEPs. The school offers a structured educational environment with class sizes typically small, integrating practical skills and vocational training alongside core academics aligned to California standards. Services include counseling, behavior support, speech therapy, and opportunities for work experience and community activities. Placement is arranged through referring school districts, with curb-to-curb transportation provided. The program emphasizes preparation for transition back to public school or post-secondary paths as appropriate.

  • Private special education nonpublic day school
  • at-risk students
  • special education needs
  • behavioral needs
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Planning guides

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How to choose a special needs school

Prepare school-tour questions, compare supports and family communication, and record what each program can show you.

IEP process guide

Bring your IEP, progress evidence, and focused questions to conversations about evaluations, services, or placement.

Comparing school options in La Verne

La Verne has two long-running nonpublic schools: Joan Macy School on Third Street, run by David & Margaret, and Haynes Education Center on Baseline Road, part of the Haynes Family of Programs on a 21-acre campus at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains. Both enroll students placed by their school districts. Public students in La Verne attend Bonita Unified School District schools such as La Verne Heights Elementary.

This page lists La Verne special needs schools and explains how a district places a student at Joan Macy or Haynes, how Bonita Unified's referral process starts and who pays for a nonpublic school seat in California.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Special Needs Schools in La Verne

What is Joan Macy School in La Verne?
Joan Macy School is a nonpublic school for at-risk students in grades 1 through 12, placed there by their local school districts. Students follow district graduation requirements, with extra guidance for those behind on credits. Services include individual and crisis counseling, behavior management and social skills training, speech and language therapy, one-to-one support and door-to-door transportation. Federal 2021-22 data lists 121 students and about 9.3 per teacher.
Does Joan Macy School offer job training for teens?
Yes. Eligible students can take classes through the San Antonio and East San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Programs, and an on-campus Work Experience Program pays a work allowance while students earn vocational credits. High schoolers also take part in a Street Law Clinic run with Southwestern Law School, where law students teach weekly lessons on legal rights and planning for life after high school.
What is Haynes Education Center?
Haynes Education Center is a nonpublic school founded in 1989 as a companion to the group home LeRoy and Jean Haynes opened in La Verne in 1946 as LeRoy Boys' Home; it now serves students from the community too. It enrolls boys and girls ages 5 to 22 in kindergarten through 12th grade through two programs: Bliss Academy, for students with autism and developmental disabilities, and Renaissance Community Prep, for behavior and learning differences, with credentialed special education teachers and BCBA services. Federal data for 2021-22 counts 87 students and about 7.2 per teacher.
How does a La Verne student get placed at Joan Macy or Haynes?
Through an IEP, not an application you file alone. When the IEP team decides no public program fits, the district contracts with a nonpublic school certified by the California Department of Education and pays the tuition. At Haynes, enrollment includes a campus tour, an application, an interview and a records review, and then your district issues an individual service contract. CDE says California has no other public funding for private school tuition and no voucher program.
How do I get my child evaluated by Bonita Unified?
Bonita Unified suggests starting with your school counselor or administrator and a Student Study Team meeting, which can lead to general education interventions, a 504 plan or a special education assessment. You can also write a dated request for an assessment. California law gives the district 15 calendar days from the referral to propose an assessment plan, excluding breaks over five school days, and 60 days from your consent to hold the IEP meeting.
Which La Verne schools work with kids who have ADHD or dyslexia?
Both conditions can qualify for help in Bonita Unified, because federal rules treat dyslexia as a specific learning disability and ADHD as an other health impairment. Haynes enrolls students who meet the eligibility criteria for learning disabilities, and its Renaissance program places students on a diploma track, a GED track or a community-based program, which matters if a district classroom is not working. For a student who mainly needs accommodations, ask the Student Study Team about a Section 504 plan.
What should I ask when touring Joan Macy or Haynes?
Ask how the school handles a crisis and how counseling ties into the school day. Ask which therapies happen on campus and how transportation from your home district works. For a teen, ask how credits transfer back to a Bonita Unified high school and what the plan is for returning to a district campus.
Who helps La Verne families with children under 3?
California's Early Start program provides early intervention for infants and toddlers through the state's regional centers. Call as soon as you notice a delay. Responsibility shifts to Bonita Unified at age 3, so ask the district about a preschool assessment a few months before that birthday.

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