A Parent’s Guide to Non-Public Schools in Orange County

“Non-Public Schools” refer to private schools certified by the California Department of Education that provide services to students with special education needs. These schools offer specialized settings, instructional methods, curricula, and resources that are designed around the needs of students with learning differences. Orange County hosts several highly regarded schools that are tailored for students with diagnoses such as autism, dyslexia, and behavioral and executive functioning disorders. We have compiled a listing of diagnoses, with links to Orange County’s non-public schools that are designed to support each condition.

While the following specialized schools are listed under one category each, many are also multi-disciplinary and provide resources and programs for students with various special education needs. A few private schools have also been included for reference. These schools are privately funded, whereas non-public schools can contract directly with the school district to support students.

Orange County’s non-public schools support the following conditions & diagnoses:

  1. Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is one of the most common learning differences among special education students. While autism is a neurological developmental disability rather than a learning disability, its symptoms commonly impact a student’s ability to learn. Sensory sensitivity, the need for rigid routines, co-occurring processing disorders, and severe social struggles can make it difficult for students with autism to thrive in a typical classroom. Non-public schools can provide an environment that is designed to support the diverse sensory, relational, and instructional needs that students with autism require.
The following Orange County non-public schools provide specialized programming to support students with Autism.

2. Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia

Specific learning disabilities cause many bright students to struggle in academic spaces. One in 5 students has a learning disability that impacts their ability to understand and learn language or number-based operations. Dyslexia , dysgraphia , and dyscalculia are the most common of these learning disabilities.

Non-public schools designed for learning disabilities offer modified classroom assignments such as multisensory problem-solving activities, specialized instruction methods based on individual student needs, and various other classroom supports to promote optimal learning.

Orange County based schools that support specific learning disabilities include:

3. Behavioral & Executive Functioning Disorders

Many students with severe behavioral or conduct disorders find it difficult to succeed in traditional academic settings. Conditions such as oppositional defiant disorder and attention deficit hyperactive disorder can chronically impair a student’s ability to pay attention, engage in lessons, and retain information.

Schools designed for students with behavioral disorders emphasize academic and functional skills, while also employing therapy sessions and transitional education programs. Some schools that offer behavioral programs include:

4. Mood Disorders

While mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder are not learning disabilities, the changes that they cause in students’ mental and emotional health can create immense barriers to academic success. Lack of motivation, oppositional behaviors, fatigue, and low self-esteem can negatively impact a student’s ability to learn.

Non-public schools focused on mood disorder recovery prioritize academic studies alongside individual and group therapies to develop emotional health and educational success.

If you believe a nonpublic school or residential placement may be the best path for your student, schedule a consultation for our diagnostic testing services.

5. Blindness / Deafness

Deaf, blind, and deafblind students require unique forms of educational support to achieve their maximum potential. This demands a setting with specialized infrastructure, resources, and materials, as well as staff who are trained in the unique needs of deafblind students. The following Orange County schools and programs specialize in supporting deafblind students.

If your kid has a condition that impacts their learning, non-public schools can provide the customized support they need to receive an optimal education. Diagnostic testing is a critical first step in determining the best academic placement for your student. Our doctors offer diagnostic testing and educational consulting to guide you in choosing the best schooling option for your student’s needs.

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If a loved one has a learning difference or other condition that impacts their mental health and education, you may feel lost in determining the best ways to support them. 

Our Diagnosticians can provide psychological testing to remove the
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More about Variations Psychology

Variations Psychology is a group practice specializing in diagnostic testing to identify psychological conditions.

Our comprehensive evaluations test for conditions that impact mental health and development such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, and developmental delays. 

In addition to diagnostic services, we offer Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) of K-12 students to assess needs for accommodations in school and determine their appropriate placements. IEEs provide an objective second opinion on existing IEP and 504 Plans.

For K-12 and post-secondary students, we offer evaluations to assess needs for accommodations on standardized tests, college entrance exams (e.g. - SAT, ACT, AP Exams), and graduate and professional licensing exams (e.g. - MCAT, LSAT, GRE, CBEST, NCLEX, GMAT, CA Cosmetology Exam, CA Contractors State Licensing Exam, CA Bar Exam).

Schedule your consultation below to learn how our diagnostic services can support you and your family. 

Variations Psychology is located in Newport Beach, CA and provides psychological testing to residents throughout Orange County and its surrounding areas including Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Irvine, Shady Canyon, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Coto de Caza, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Yorba Linda, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, Pelican Hill, Crystal Cove, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Lake Forest, Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach, Seal Beach, and more.

References:

Shinn. M.M. (2023). 6 Things to Know About Your Student’s Math Struggles. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/6-things-to-know-about-your-students-math-struggles 

Shinn. M.M. (2020). 8 Ways Bipolar Impacts a Teen’s Education. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/8-ways-bipolar-impacts-a-teens-education 

Shinn. M.M. (2021). 10 Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/10-early-signs-of-autism-in-toddlers 

Shinn. M.M. (2022). “Could I Have ADHD?”: 7 Tips to Identify and Manage Executive Functioning Challenges. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/could-i-have-adhd-7-tips-to-identify-and-manage-executive-functioning-challenge 

Shinn. M.M. (2019). Could My Teen Have Autism? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from: https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/could-my-teen-have-autism 

Shinn, M.M. (2018). I Can’t Spell Dyslexia – Do I Have It?! Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/i-cant-spell-dyslexia-do-i-have-it 

Shinn. M.M. (2021). Is My Child or Teen Depressed? 10 Tell-Tale Questions to Consider. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/is-my-child-or-teen-depressed-10-tell-tale-questions-to-consider 

Shinn. M.M. (2023) Is Residential Placement the Best Option for My Child or Teen? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/is-residential-placement-the-best-option-for-my-child-or-teen 

Shinn. M.M. 2021. My Kid Can’t Understand Nonverbal Communication – What Could be the Cause? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-cant-understand-nonverbal-communication  

Shinn. M.M. (2019). My Kid is So Defiant! Is it My Fault? Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/my-kid-is-so-defiant-is-it-my-fault 

Shinn. M.M. (2022). Specific Learning Disabilities and Special Education: 6 Facts for Parents. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/specific-learning-disabilities-special-education-6-facts-for-parents 

Shinn. M.M. (2020). Understanding Education Plans: A Parent’s Guide to 504s and IEPs. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/understanding-education-plans-a-parents-guide-to-504s-and-ieps 

Shinn. M.M. (2022) Understanding Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): A Parent’s Guide to Educational Placements). Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.variationspsychology.com/test-blog/understanding-least-restrictive-environment-lre-a-parents-guide-to-educational-placements 

Shinn. M.M. (2022). Understanding Supports, Services, Accommodations, Modifications & Placements. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/understanding-supports-services-accommodations-modifications-placements

How to Cite This Blog Article:

Shinn. M.M. (2023). A Parent’s Guide to Non-Public Schools in Orange County. Psychologically Speaking. [Variations Psychology blog post]. Retrieved from (www.variationspsychology.com/blogs/a-parents-guide-to-non-public-schools-in-orange-county-4nwlm-dxltz)







Dr. Shinn