Sand Hill School

AchieveKids is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing exceptional educational services for students aged 5-22 with complex learning needs. Operating specialized schools in Palo Alto and San Jose, AchieveKids focuses on creating opportunities for students in special education through a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach. The core mission is to empower students with special needs to thrive in a supportive environment that fosters growth and development. AchieveKids offers a range of specialized programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students. Key offerings include individualized curricula that integrate best practices from various fields such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), mental health support, speech and language therapy, and vocational education. The school emphasizes positive behavioral practices, effective communication, and community integration, ensuring that each student receives a tailored educational experience. Additional services include behavioral health support, transition services, and social skills groups, all aimed at equipping students with the necessary skills to reintegrate into public schools or less restrictive environments. What sets AchieveKids apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, allowing for personalized attention and support. The campus environment is designed to be nurturing and inclusive, fostering a sense of belonging among students. Specialized technology and resources are utilized to enhance learning experiences, while vocational training prepares students for future employment opportunities. AchieveKids also offers summer programs that provide continued learning and social engagement, further enriching the educational journey for students with special needs.

Athena Academy is a private school in Palo Alto built for dyslexic and 2e learners, students whose strengths and learning differences show up side by side. Our elementary classrooms run at an 8:1 ratio for grades 1 to 5, and middle school classes run at 10:1 for grades 6 to 8. Students rotate teachers through the day and are placed in math and language arts by readiness rather than grade alone. Instruction is multisensory and project-based. Students study how words are built through Structured Word Inquiry, use clay modeling to master concepts, follow a structured writing program, and solve real-world problems with hands-on math manipulatives. Music, theater, visual art and technology run through the program, and executive functioning and self-advocacy skills are built into every class alongside social-emotional learning. Admission includes a review of recent assessments such as the WISC and Woodcock-Johnson, current school records, and a two-day classroom visit. We also run a summer camp, and families can apply for financial aid.

Bowman School at 4000 Terman Drive in Palo Alto is a Montessori program from 12 weeks through 12th grade. Primary classrooms cover 12 weeks to 6 years. Elementary covers kindergarten through 5th grade. The adolescent program covers 6th through 12th grade. Classrooms are multi-age, the student-teacher ratio is 10 to 1, and families represent more than 30 countries.