Best Special Needs Schools in Petaluma, California (2026)

Cypress Primary School is a nonpublic school operated by UCP of the North Bay in Petaluma, California. It serves students ages 5-14 with autism, similar disabilities, moderate to severe developmental disabilities, and intensive behavioral, learning, and communication challenges whose needs cannot be met in public school special day classes. The school provides a personalized curriculum emphasizing functional academics, communication, social skills, sensory regulation, and community-based living and vocational skills. Instruction occurs in inclusive classroom environments with sensory-friendly spaces and is supported by speech and language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, counseling, and positive behavior supports. Individualized Education Plans guide each student's program. Students are placed by school districts. The school operates two campuses in Petaluma; the Primary campus addresses younger students while the Secondary campus serves ages 14-22 with transition services.

• Nonpublic special education day school
• Autism
• developmental disabilities
• behavioral needs

Cypress School is a non-public school operated by UCP of the North Bay in Petaluma, California. It serves children and young adults ages 5-22 with autism, other developmental disabilities, and intensive behavioral, learning, and communication challenges that preclude safe learning in public school settings. The school operates two campuses: Cypress Primary School for ages 5-14 and Cypress Secondary School for ages 14-22. It provides individualized education plans, sensory-friendly spaces, functional academics, community-based instruction, and therapies including speech and language, occupational, physical, and counseling services with positive behavior supports. Students are placed by school districts. Families do not pay tuition. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary teams, family involvement, and transition planning for older students.

• Nonpublic special education day school
• Autism
• Developmental disabilities
• Behavioral needs