Top 7 Best Special Needs Schools in Simi Valley, California (2026)

Child Development Resources of Ventura County (CDR) is dedicated to fostering promising futures for children, particularly those from low-income families and those with special needs. The organization serves children from birth through age 12, including those with individual education plans (IEPs) or individual family service plans (IFSPs). CDR's core mission is to promote school readiness and overall child development through a variety of comprehensive programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start, which provide no-cost educational services alongside health and social support. The approach at CDR is rooted in a family-focused philosophy that emphasizes collaboration between parents, educators, and community resources. The programs are designed to cater to the diverse needs of children, utilizing therapeutic methodologies that support language development, social skills, and emotional well-being. With a low student-to-teacher ratio, children receive personalized attention that fosters their unique learning journeys. What sets CDR apart is its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. The organization not only provides subsidized childcare assistance through various programs but also maintains strong partnerships with families to ensure they have access to the resources they need for their children's growth. Additionally, CDR offers a resource library filled with educational materials and toys, further enriching the learning experience. By creating an environment where families can actively participate in their children's education and by hosting community events that encourage social interaction among families, CDR stands out as a vital resource in Ventura County for nurturing all aspects of child development.

• Preschool
• Private school

Monte Vista School, the independent study academy of Simi Valley Unified, opened in 1980 as a high school program of the Simi Valley Adult School, and its first graduating class had two students. Today 29 teachers serve 464 students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade on our Fourth Street campus. Students complete much of their coursework at home using the same curriculum and materials as other district schools, and each student meets weekly with a credentialed teacher who tracks progress. Parents of kindergarten through 8th graders attend those appointments. High school courses meet UC and CSU A to G requirements, and we offer Advanced Placement and Honors classes, credit recovery, Spanish, Math and English labs, tutoring and dual enrollment at Moorpark College. Our campus gives independent learners a place to gather. We have a MakerSpace with a 3D printer and robotics, science labs, and a farm and garden with chickens and greenhouses. Students in grades 7 to 12 can study at the Study Café with free WiFi. Counselors help with academic planning, college and career preparation and social-emotional support, and every student receives a district device at no cost.

• Public independent study school (TK-12)
• Independent study
• Homeschool support
• A-G college prep

Options for Youth (OFY) in the San Fernando Valley region is a network of free public charter high schools dedicated to providing a flexible and personalized educational experience for students aged 14 to 21. This institution serves a diverse student body, including those who may be behind on credits, seeking an alternative learning environment, or balancing school with significant outside responsibilities. OFY's core mission is to empower students to achieve their academic goals while preparing them for future college and career pathways, particularly through its partnership with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The school employs innovative teaching methodologies tailored to individual learning styles, offering courses in various formats such as small group instruction, online classes, and guided independent study. This approach fosters an inclusive atmosphere where all students can thrive academically and socially. What sets OFY apart is its commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment with low student-teacher ratios, specialized facilities designed for collaboration, and unique experiential learning opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. Through these distinctive features, OFY not only focuses on academic achievement but also nurtures personal growth and community engagement among its students.

• Charter school
• Public school

Royal High School in Simi Valley is home to the Success Academy, a special education program for students with autism that combines a highly intensive, self-contained setting with access to general education classes. Success Academy staff are trained in Applied Behavior Analysis, Discrete Trial Teaching and Pivotal Response Training. Students are supported by a licensed occupational therapist and a sensory room, a speech-language pathologist who serves them through their IEPs, and a school psychologist and behavior specialist. Each student follows either a standards-based academic strand or a functional life-skills strand, with visual schedules and assistive technology as needed. Across the school, we offer International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs, Air Force Junior ROTC, the Ronald Reagan Citizen Scholar Institute, and Career Technical Education pathways including sports medicine, media arts, cabinetry and woodworking, legal practices, and food service and hospitality. Our Center for Academic Success provides tutoring. We build school life around four As: academics, arts, athletics and activities. Students can join dance team, instrumental and vocal music, theatre and video production, and compete in sports ranging from aquatics and lacrosse to wrestling and volleyball.

• Public high school
• Autism
• International Baccalaureate
• Advanced Placement

Simi Valley High School opened in 1920 as the first high school in Simi Valley, and today we enroll about 2,000 students in grades 9 to 12 as part of Simi Valley Unified School District. We are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Our Career Technical Education pathways give students hands-on preparation in animation, broadcasting, dance and choreography, woodworking, programming and robotics, entrepreneurship, and automotive diagnostics and repair. Alongside those pathways, students take Advanced Placement courses, English Language Development, world languages, and visual and performing arts. Our special education department includes more than a dozen special education teachers who serve students on our campus. The counseling office, health office, and mental health and student wellness services round out student support, and our PTSA and athletics programs keep families connected to campus life.

• Public high school
• Career technical education
• Accredited
• Public school

Simi Valley Montessori's Erringer facility was founded in 2006, and many of our teachers have been with us for 20 years or more. Our two locations take babies as young as 6 weeks and keep children through kindergarten age: our main campus on Erringer Road and our West Valley Campus in the American Martial Arts Academy building on McCoy Place. Infant care, from 6 weeks to 2 years, includes our baby nursery, where each baby gets individual care, and toddler daycare continues from there. Children ages 2 to 4 join our Montessori preschool, and ages 4 to 6 move into Montessori kindergarten and pre-K. Our teachers are Montessori certified, and children work at their own pace with hands-on materials built to engage sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Kinesthetic, auditory and visual materials are all on hand, so a child can learn in the way that suits them. All of our staff are CPR and First Aid trained. We keep student to teacher ratios among the lowest in Simi Valley, which lets teachers give one-on-one lessons and spend less time managing the room.

• Montessori preschool and infant care center
• Montessori
• Small class sizes
• Long-tenured teachers

Tiny Tot Preschool & Kindergarten in Simi Valley is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for young children, particularly those with diverse learning needs. Serving children from preschool through transitional kindergarten, the school focuses on developing the by providing a balanced educational program that emphasizes physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. The curriculum is designed around hands-on learning experiences and includes a unique three-step problem-solving technique that empowers children to resolve conflicts independently, with adult guidance as needed. Safety is paramount at Tiny Tot, ensuring that every child thrives in a secure and supportive setting. What sets Tiny Tot apart is its commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, which allows for personalized attention and strong family partnerships. With engaging community events like seasonal celebrations and educational visits from local professionals, Tiny Tot Preschool & Kindergarten creates a vibrant atmosphere where children can explore their creativity and develop essential life skills in a caring community.

• Preschool
• Private school