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

Altus Academy
https://altusacademy.com/
205 N. Maple Ave., Rialto, CA
(909) 829-9999
Altus Academy provides special education services for students 5 to 22 years of age, identified as needing special education services. Altus Academy is dedicated to the development of each student’s needs, desires, and successes as individuals. Education Program for Autism, Severely Handicapped, Emotionally Disturbed Students.

Beacon Day School
https://www.beacondayschool.com/
6696 Via Vista Drive, Riverside, CA
(951) 516-8040
Beacon Day School (BDS) is a California non-public school for children with Autism and related disorders, serving students from across Southern California and the Inland Empire. With campuses in La Palma and Riverside, California, BDS is fully accredited by the California Department of Education. BDS collaborates with school districts throughout Southern California and the Inland Empire to offer specialized support and education.

Bliss Academy School – Haynes Family of Programs
https://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.

Dynamic Hope Schools
https://www.dhsschools.com/
Adelanto Campus -17960 Adelanto Rd., Adelanto, CA| (760) 530-6168
Riverside Campus – 9994 County Farm Rd., Riverside, CA | (951) 785-0504
Dynamic Hope is a state certified nonpublic school serving students with special needs from ages 5 through 22. Provides robust, research-based strategies dedicated to each of its small, highly structured classroom settings. Teams on each campus develop an individualized education plan (IEP) with instructions that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of each student.

McKinley
https://www.mckinleycc.org/
Desert View School – 8500 Escondido Avenue, Hesperia, CA | (760) 206-7820
Canyon View School -762 Cypress St., San Dimas, CA | (909)599-1227
Nonpublic special education school serving students in grades K–12, with educational and individualized support for students with disabilities.

Oak Grove Center
https://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
https://www.portviewpreparatory.com/
1460 South Milliken Avenue., 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
https://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.

Spectrum Schools – Jurupa Valley – Ina Arbuckle Elementary
https://www.spectrumschools.com/location/jurupa-valley-ina-arbuckle-elementary/
Classroom 38 – 3600 Packard Avenue, Riverside, CA
(951) 534-8493
Spectrum Jurupa Valley strives to change the direction of children’s lives using quality research-based methods of academic instruction, Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), direct instruction in social skills, and an increased focus on the development of the communication and life skills necessary for our students to grow and thrive as independent individuals.

Autism Society Options Policy

This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to Autism in the Inland Empire in one place. All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society Inland Empire. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society Inland Empire assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.