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

At Carousel School in Los Angeles, we offer infant and preschool classes, early intervention and a nonpublic school for elementary through high school students. Our programs also include after-school activities for children with disabilities and an adult day program serving ages 18 to 55. We adapt daily lessons to individual students and provide therapeutic and enrichment opportunities. Families take part in school activities and work with teachers on their children's education goals. Carousel School has served children and families since 1984.

• Special education school
• Learning differences
• Developmental disabilities
• Emotional disabilities

Early-childhood support at Cheerful Helpers Child and Family Study Center includes a therapeutic school, socialization groups, and the Brief Evaluation and Intervention Group. Our programs also include family counseling, play therapy, weekend activities, and speech and occupational therapy. Program planning reflects each child's needs.

• Therapeutic Preschool
• Early childhood support
• Social skills development
• Child and family support

Full-time independent study gives Los Angeles Unified students a flexible K–12 path at City of Angels School. Our students follow standards-based instruction and meet weekly with teachers. For eligible students with IEPs, the school coordinates face-to-face independent study placements as part of their educational plan.

• School
• Public school

We serve special education students ages 18 to 22 in Los Angeles Unified School District Region West who have completed four years of high school on a modified core curriculum. Our Career and Transition Center shares the McBride Special Education Center campus on South Centinela Avenue. Students practice social, pre-employment and independent living skills through classroom lessons, community-based instruction and work experience. Our courses include auto detailing, horticulture, business office and shipping, computer technology, graphic arts, and retail and job skills. Eligible students may join Project SEARCH at Kaiser Permanente or the Center for Advanced Transition Skills at West Los Angeles College. We also offer We Can Work and Work-Based Learning.

• Public Transition Program
• moderate disabilities
• severe disabilities
• Transition support

Our West Los Angeles campus on Mulholland Drive teaches elementary, middle and high school students with learning differences. Students include children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism. We opened in August 2019 on the grounds of Bel Air Church. Our teachers adapt lessons to each student. Reading and writing programs include Lindamood-Bell, Wilson Reading System, Rewards Reading Intervention and Step Up to Writing. Students study language arts, math, science and social studies, alongside daily electives in music, drama or studio art. Transition planning begins in ninth grade and includes career exploration, employment skills, social learning and independent living skills. High school students follow either traditional academic courses toward a diploma or applied academic courses toward a certificate of completion. We accept applications year-round; admission depends on space in the appropriate program.

• Private Special Education School
• ADHD
• Autism
• dyscalculia

Adaptive instruction at Inclusive Academy of California spans art, acting, music, dance, coding, photography, robotics, and social training. Our Los Angeles classes and lessons serve learners from toddler age through adulthood, with in-person and online options for many programs. We also offer in-home instruction and classes such as Floor Time and Play and Learn.

• Special education school
• Adaptive education
• Neurodiverse learners
• Private school

Transitional kindergarten through grade 8 students learn in mixed-age groups at Invictus Leadership Academy, a public charter school in Los Angeles. Our STEAM-focused program uses differentiated instruction to address varied levels of mastery, alongside leadership development and a college-going culture. The school serves students with disabilities and provides special education services.

• School
• Charter school
• Public school

We serve students in grades six through 12 who need intensive special education support. Instruction combines rigorous academics with hands-on learning, while staff help students build independence, communication and self-advocacy skills.

• Special education school
• intensive support needs
• Learning differences
• Public school

Our tuition-free KIPP Promesa Prep campus serves transitional kindergarten through fourth grade in Boyle Heights. We teach at 2810 Whittier Boulevard, with literacy instruction, social and emotional learning, and Spanish and art classes. Students can take part in athletics, school events and an after-school program. Our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program focuses on relationships and school routines. After fourth grade, students continue their KIPP education at KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory Middle School. We are part of the KIPP SoCal public school network.

• Charter School
• Learning differences
• special education (IEP/504)
• trauma-informed interventions

Personalized, project-based learning is central to our tuition-free public elementary charter school in South Los Angeles. Students ask questions, test ideas, and learn through hands-on experiences. Learning By Design also provides required special education services, social-emotional learning, a school garden, field trips, and after-school activities.

• Charter school
• Public school