Best Special Needs Schools in Laguna Hills, California (2026)

New Vista School teaches students with autism spectrum disorder and similar learning differences in grades 6 to 12, plus a 12+ year and a transition program for young adults up to age 22. We are a private, nonprofit, WASC-accredited school in Laguna Hills serving Orange County, and we are authorized to enroll autistic students through California's non-public school (NPS) option for qualified families and districts. Classes are small and follow California Content and Common Core standards. Students work toward a 225-credit diploma, or follow modified pacing toward a Certificate of Completion. Social skills run through the whole day using the UCLA PEERS curriculum, journaling and self-video feedback, backed by a school-wide positive behavior support point system. Reading uses Direct Instruction, and a math specialist runs our Math Lab with ST Math and Singapore Math. Every 11th and 12th grader joins our Transition program with work-site training and college visits, and Transition 5.0 students spend four days a week at community internships. Electives include science, drama, art and film, and we run a five-week summer enrichment session. Families can apply for need-based tuition assistance covering up to half of tuition.

• Private special education day school (grades 6-12 and transition)
• Autism
• UCLA PEERS social skills
• Small class sizes

Pathway School grew out of a founder's experience raising a bright, severely dyslexic daughter. It began as a three-week summer pilot in 2002 and opened to full-time students in September 2003. Our Christian school in Laguna Hills teaches grades 2 to 8 for children with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and other learning differences who have struggled in a traditional classroom. Classes keep a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, and math is grouped by instructional level. Lessons are multisensory and hands-on. In our Learning Center, a learning resource specialist provides small-group reading, writing and math intervention, and weekly executive function and social skills classes teach organization, time management and role-played social practice. Middle schoolers get more STEM time with a dedicated science teacher, and enrichment includes art, drama, music, cooking and PE, plus weekly chapel. An occupational therapist and speech therapist work on site, and a family therapist supports students and parents. We are WASC accredited. Annual tuition of $28,900 covers supplies, a school-provided computer and the yearbook, with a $1,000 registration fee and need-based assistance available. We also offer Irlen Syndrome screening.

• Private Christian school for learning differences (grades 2-8)
• Dyslexia
• ADHD
• Autism