Top 7 Best Special Needs Schools in San Francisco, California (2026)

Alice Fong Yu Alternative School in San Francisco is a public Chinese immersion K to 8 program. It is a general public school model, and families should confirm IEP support details with SFUSD for disability-specific needs.

• Middle school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Public school

Chinese American International School in San Francisco is a private Mandarin immersion preschool to grade 8 program. It is primarily a bilingual school model, with learning support services to be confirmed directly with admissions.

• Bilingual school
• Learning differences
• Twice-exceptional
• Private school

Presidio Knolls School in San Francisco is a private bilingual preschool to grade 8 program. It is primarily a language and project-based learning model instead of a dedicated special-needs school.

• Bilingual school
• Private school

SF Tikes Academy in San Francisco is a bilingual early childhood preschool program. Families seeking disability-specific services should verify whether the school provides dedicated special-needs programming or referral support.

• Preschool
• Private school

Sterne School is an independent day school in San Francisco for students in grades 4-12, including students with dyslexia, ADHD, and related learning differences. Valerie Anthony opened the school in 1976 as a one-room program in the Sunset District for students ages 7-14. It now serves nearly 200 students on an urban campus at 838 Kearny Street. Lower and middle school use skills-based class placement so students can reach grade-level content with integrated support. High school is college preparatory, with college counseling throughout those years. Arts, athletics, and experiential education sit alongside academics.

• Independent day school for students with dyslexia, ADHD, and related learning differences
• Dyslexia
• ADHD
• Learning Disability

Winston Transitions San Francisco in San Francisco, California, is an accredited, specialized non-profit transition program and day academy serving neurodivergent young adults ages 17 through 21+ with learning differences, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 1), and executive functioning challenges across the Bay Area. Part of the acclaimed Winston Preparatory School network, Winston Transitions utilizes the proprietary Continuous Feedback System and Qualities of a Sustainable and Independent Adult framework. Small cohorts (average 4:1 ratio) focus on core academic advancement, college coursework support, comprehensive career exploration and internships, independent living skills, and social-emotional resilience.

• Special education school
• ADHD
• Dyslexia
• Learning differences

Woodside Learning Center is listed as an SFUSD specialized program for students with disabilities who need intensive support. Families can confirm referral criteria, age range, and program structure through district placement teams.

• High school
• Developmental disabilities
• Public school