Best Special Needs Schools in Richmond, California (2026)

A Better Chance School, operated by the California Autism Foundation, is a nonpublic certified school at 4138 Lakeside Drive in Richmond, California. It serves children and young adults ages 6 to 22 with autism spectrum disorder and similar developmental disabilities through a functional skills and community-based curriculum. The school provides individualized instruction aligned with each student’s IEP, with staff-to-student ratios of 1:2 (or 1:1 as specified). Approaches include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), TEACCH structured teaching methodologies, Pivotal Response Training, and positive behavior support. Students participate in community-based instruction and, for those 16 and older, the Workability vocational training program that includes job coaching, community employment sites, and transition preparation leading to a Certificate of Completion. Placement occurs through referral from a student’s school district special education department. The school contracts exclusively with districts; families do not pay tuition directly. The single campus location offers day programming only, with no residential component.

• Private special education day school (nonpublic certified)
• Autism
• other developmental disabilities
• Accredited