Non-Public Schools

Nonpublic Schools (NPS) are private, nonsectarian and certified by the state of California to provide special education services to students based on their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). These schools provide an environment to help students who are struggling academically, behaviorally, and socially.

Students with Autism who have significant behavioral, mental health, or communication challenges are typically considered for this type of school setting. These programs can be very expensive, and parents may need to advocate strongly if they believe such a placement would better meet their child’s needs than the options provided by the school district.

Some schools offer residential options in addition to their academic programs. The list below is not exhaustive, but includes Nonpublic schools that the Autism Society Inland Empire is aware of and attended by students with Autism in the Inland Empire area.

non-public schools

Bliss Academy School – Haynes Family of Programs
www.leroyhaynes.org/school-programs/bliss-academy-school-for-autism-and-developmental-disabilities
233 Baseline Rd., La Verne, CA
(909)593-2581
Bliss Academy School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities offers both an educational and nurturing environment for boys and girls with autism and developmental disabilities. Offers individualized curriculum, social communication and functional skills development, community-based instruction, various therapies, computer labs, transition and life skills training and more.

Oak Grove Center
www.oakgrovecenter.org
Nonprofit residential, educational, and treatment center (with multiple campuses) for at-risk and special needs youth. Oak Grove offers a wide spectrum of services: residential care, education, wraparound services, sports, arts, programs for Autism and independent living, partial hospitalization, outpatient services, addiction recovery and relapse prevention programs, and more. Two campuses in the Inland Empire:

  • Oak Grove Center: Murrieta – 24-hour residential, educational, and therapeutic treatment center. It has three dormitories housing up to 76 children and teens ages 8-18, and it also houses a K-12 non-public school complete with a baseball field, gymnasium, Autism sensory room, and cafeteria. Campus offers struggling youth many options and benefits to support their treatment, including a library, a music and dance studio, an organic garden, a playground, a bunny petting zoo, an on-site therapy and nurse station, and more.
  • Oak Grove at the Ranch: Perris- WASC accredited nonpublic school operating under the umbrella of the Oak Grove Center. Provides five self-contained classes serving students ages 5-22 years old with emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, and Autism. Students are transported daily to and from school by facility vehicles, their families, the residential care program, or their home district.

Port View Preparatory
www.portviewpreparatory.com
Ontario, CA
(909) 460-8140
Port View Prep is a non-public school that serves students, ages 5 to 22 years, with Autism Spectrum Disorder, developmental disabilities, behavior challenges, and/or unique learning needs. Programs are tailored to individual student needs, and also meet prospective students to determine whether they would benefit from program. Placement at Port View Prep is based on the IEP team’s decision to include Port View Prep as part of the offer of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Spectrum Center- Chino Hills – CVUSD Alternative Education Center
www.spectrumschools.com/location/chino-hills-cvusd-alternative-education-center
Chino Hills, CA
(909) 591-3682; ext. 5745
Students learn in a structured environment that uses research‑based practices, data‑driven decision‑making, and effective behavior‑management systems. Also offers inclusion opportunities, vocational training, and community‑based instruction to support real‑world skill development and transition planning. Social‑emotional learning is woven into daily lessons through MTSS, PBIS, restorative practices, trauma‑informed approaches, mindfulness, and pro‑social skill building, all designed to promote engagement, coping skills, self‑awareness, connection, and academic success. Grades 8th to 12th.

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