Photo Credits: Kahlon Family Services – KFS School
In California, a number of exceptional schools offer specialized programs tailored to meet the unique needs of these students. Whether focusing on early intervention, life skills, or functional academics, these schools provide individualized attention and innovative approaches to ensure every student reaches their fullest potential. Here, we’ve highlighted the top 5 exceptional schools in California that are making a profound impact in the lives of students with special needs.
Kahlon Family Services – KFS School
(KFS) School, Founded by Kahlon Family Services LLC has profoundly impacted both its students and their families, providing transformative experiences through education, love, and patience.
The school offers personalized support to unique learners by using a variety of tools (visual, auditory, reading, writing, and kinesthetic) to meet each student’s needs. With small class sizes and one-on-one attention, KFS fosters a warm, welcoming environment where students are encouraged to make choices, solve problems, and develop meaningful relationships. Her 3R Method—Redo, Rewind, & Repair— is social-emotional learning through relationship building. It equips individuals with practical tools and language for conflict resolution, empathy, and developing social skills. This program is offered to school districts, where we also provide training for teachers to implement it effectively.
KFS School also creates opportunities for exploration, creativity, and self-expression, nurturing students’ curiosity and passion for learning while building a supportive community around their individuality and well-being. Through this comprehensive approach, KFS strives to unlock the full potential of every student.
Canyon Hills
Canyon Hills is a specialized school for students with moderate to severe disabilities, focused on helping each individual reach their fullest potential. The dedicated staff emphasizes a positive attitude and acceptance of each student’s unique qualities, fostering growth in home, school, workplace, and community settings.
Students at Canyon Hills have Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) that are reviewed annually with parents or caregivers, while a Tri-annual evaluation ensures continued eligibility for services. All students participate in state testing, assessed through the California Alternative Assessment (CAA).
Serving around 40 students aged 10 to 22, Canyon Hills provides a range of specialized programs, including a skills lab for vocational training and daily living activities. The school also features a sensory garden, offering a peaceful space for students to relax.
Lake County Office of Education
California’s public education system operates across three levels: the California Department of Education, county offices of education, and local school districts. State-level decisions shape regulations, funding, and policies, while more than 1,000 local school districts are responsible for delivering instruction.
The 58 county offices of education act as intermediaries, providing essential support to local schools and districts. These offices are tasked with approving school district budgets, overseeing Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs), registering teacher credentials, conducting employee background checks, and certifying school attendance records. Additionally, they develop countywide programs to support students with special needs, fulfilling key state mandates and ensuring the effective functioning of local educational institutions.
Adams Early Start Program
The Early Start program offers early intervention and educational services for children from birth to age three who have developmental delays or disabilities, while also providing support to their families. The program serves children facing challenges such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, speech and language impairments, traumatic brain injuries, and other developmental delays.
Early Start offers a range of services, including center-based education for children with special needs and typically developing peers. Programs are available in traditional preschool classrooms or through parent-child interaction classes, such as Mommy-N-Me. Additionally, home-based education is provided to ensure tailored support for each child’s developmental needs.
College View School
College View School, part of the Glendale Unified School District, was established in 1977 to provide specialized education services to students with severe intellectual and physical disabilities. Serving students from Glendale, Burbank, and La Cañada through the Foothill Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), the school offers tailored instruction in functional academics, life skills, communication, socialization, and motor skills for children aged 3 to 22.
Enrollment at College View is determined through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process. The school focuses on addressing the communication, independence, and safety needs of its students, while preparing them for future transitions. Whenever possible, students are evaluated for integration into less restrictive environments. In 2015, the school was redesigned with a state-of-the-art facility, thanks to community support through Measure S funds, enhancing its ability to provide exceptional education and care.
Choosing the right school for a child with special needs is a significant decision, and California is home to some truly remarkable options. These five schools stand out for their dedication to individualized education, supportive environments, and commitment to helping each student thrive. By focusing on the unique abilities of each child, these schools are not just teaching academics—they’re fostering independence, confidence, and lifelong skills that empower students to succeed in every aspect of life.