Top 7 Best Special Needs Schools in Lafayette, California (2026)

Burton Valley Elementary, home of the Bobcats, sits on Merriewood Drive in Lafayette as one of the elementary schools of the Lafayette School District. We teach a rigorous curriculum with a global perspective, built on respect and inclusion, and we want students to grow into creative, responsible, productive leaders. Lafayette families support small class sizes and enrichment through LPIE, which funds our 5th grade band, strings and chorus and the BVE Garden, where Bobcats learn to grow plants. Our students run their own lunchtime clubs and have presented them to the district Governing Board. We celebrate Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, and student artwork goes on display at the District Office. Breakfast and lunch are available every day through the district meal program.

• Public elementary school
• Public school

Diablo Valley Montessori School is dedicated to nurturing the potential of diverse learners, including those with language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students, through an enriching educational environment grounded in the Montessori Method. This approach emphasizes individualized instruction and student-centered experiences, allowing children to explore their interests and develop at their own pace. The school offers a comprehensive range of programs, including Infant/Toddler care that fosters early development in a safe and respectful setting, as well as Preschool/Kindergarten that transitions students from concrete experiences to abstract thinking. Enrichment opportunities such as Spanish, Music, Dance, Tennis, and Soccer further enhance the curriculum. With a strong focus on holistic development, students engage in hands-on learning across subjects like Science, Botany, Geography, Language Arts, Mathematics, Practical Life skills, and Zoology. Diablo Valley Montessori School stands out for its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios and fostering strong family partnerships. As a proud member of the American Montessori Society, it ensures an authentic educational experience that prepares students to be thoughtful and compassionate global citizens ready to contribute positively to society.

• Preschool
• ADHD
• Learning differences
• Montessori

About 475 students in transitional kindergarten through 5th grade attend Happy Valley Elementary School, one of four elementary schools in the Lafayette School District. Our campus on Happy Valley Road includes a science lab, a library that opens to 1st through 5th graders at snack and lunch breaks, an amphitheater on the primary yard and the Husky Hollow Wellness Center. Lunchtime is busy here. Students can join Art Club, Lego Club, Crafts Club or the student-written HVE Newspaper, drop into the Wellness Center game and art zone, or dance at the Friday lunch dance party on every playground. Students propose new clubs all year, and a student council gives older students a voice in school life. Our district serves breakfast and lunch free to all students and offers an elementary music program, special education and Section 504 services through its Student Services department, and support for multilingual learners under a district English Learner plan. Local parcel taxes and Lafayette Partners in Education help the district maintain small class sizes and enrichment such as music.

• Public elementary school (TK-5)
• Small class sizes
• Lunchtime clubs
• Public school

At Lafayette Elementary, transitional kindergarten through fifth-grade students build reading skills in the campus lab and receive English-language development support. Science, art, music, counseling, student leadership, and the Green Team add ways to learn and participate.

• Elementary school
• Public school

Lafayette Kids' Cottage sits in the Trail neighborhood of downtown Lafayette, within walking distance of town. We serve children from 2.9 to 10 years old through a preschool program and an after-school program. Our preschool draws heavily on the Tools of the Mind curriculum, built on Vygotsky's work. Children start each day at a table with classmates, writing their names and drawing a "Plan for the Day" before they play. That routine builds spoken and written language, concentration, executive function and self-regulation, and within a few months many 3-year-olds and most 4-year-olds are writing their names and reading basic words. Teachers scaffold each child from assisted to independent performance. After school, older children come to us for homework help, time with friends and extracurricular activities such as dance, theater, music and gardening.

• Preschool and after-school program
• Tools of the Mind curriculum
• Executive function and self-regulation
• Private school

The Springstone School is an independent nonprofit nonpublic school (NPS) located at 1035 Carol Lane in Lafayette, California. It serves students in grades 6 through 12 who have executive functioning challenges associated with diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1, ADHD, Non-Verbal Learning Disability, anxiety, and related neuro-cognitive profiles. The program integrates pragmatic language, occupational therapy, organizational skills, and life skills into the academic classroom and community activities. Students follow a rigorous curriculum aligned with California Common Core Standards in small self-contained classrooms with a low student-teacher ratio. Placement occurs through district IEP referral or private application, with open enrollment and mid-year options when space is available. The school emphasizes building independence, social connections, and community engagement while preparing students for post-secondary success. It maintains a serene campus environment and offers an ACCESS program focused on real-world skills, self-advocacy, and community participation.

• Private special education day school
• Autism
• ADHD
• Central Auditory Processing Disorder

Wellspring Educational Services is dedicated to providing relationship-based programs tailored for children with autism and other developmental disabilities, serving students primarily in the Kindergarten to secondary age range. The core mission of the school revolves around recognizing and nurturing each child's unique strengths and differences across various developmental domains, including social, cognitive, communicative, sensory-motor, and emotional-regulatory aspects. Through a comprehensive approach that emphasizes active engagement and support, Wellspring offers specialized curricula designed to foster long-term growth. Key programs include developmental social language groups and sensory-motor activities aimed at enhancing communication and interaction skills. What sets Wellspring apart is its commitment to maintaining a low student-teacher ratio, fostering strong partnerships with families, and providing specialized facilities that cater to the needs of its students. The school also hosts community events like Camp We-Go, which offers enriching activities such as swimming, art, music, and dance during summer months. This holistic approach ensures that every child receives personalized attention in an environment that values collaboration between educators and families.

• Education center
• ADHD
• Autism
• developmental disabilities