HG Wells once said that our challenge is to educate all children who enter the schoolhouse door, not the children we want to have or used to have.  This statement highlights the limitations faced by large, traditional schools, whose curriculums and instructors cannot meet the needs of all students.  If you’re looking for alternative education for your child, these East Bay schools will find ways to accommodate your child’s needs, get him or her on the right track, and help him or her graduate and look forward to a bright future.

Children’s Learning Center

Children with autism, emotional disturbances, and mild developmental delays need to be surrounded by nurturing adults who understand their limitations and are sympathetic to their needs. At the same time, they need a structured environment that will help them adjust to the demands of reality and adulthood. The Children’s Learning Center (CLC) in Alameda is a fantastic institution for such children.  Since the school was founded in 1971 by behavioral psychologist Dr. Laura Phillips, CLC has been able to develop academic skills, social skills, and healthy self-esteem among differently-abled children.  CLC has two campuses – one for elementary school and one for middle school and high school.  Both campuses provide highly individualized academic and behavioral programs, which are taught by a dedicated, well-trained staff. The goal of CLC’s highly positive programs is to help each student successfully return to public schools or live independent, successful, and productive lives in society.  Besides individualized academic, social, emotional, and vocational training, CLC also offers counseling, speech or language therapy, and social skills development groups.  Learn more about the school by visiting http://www.clcalameda.com.

St Paul’s Episcopal School

St. Paul’s may be well-known for their strong music program, but did you know that they also provide alternative education? Their Alternative Instruction Program (AIP) is the perfect educational environment for students with diagnosed attention disorders or learning disabilities.  Available to students from elementary through high school, the goal of the AIP is to prepare students to succeed in college. In fact, St. Paul’s AIP program is the only college prep program in the East Bay that caters to children with special needs.   For your child to be admitted into St. Paul’s AIP, he or she must have a recent or updated diagnosis of ADHD, autism, or a learning disability. You will also need to submit standardized test scores, proof of academic ability, teacher recommendation, and observations from your health care specialist.   Learn more about the program at http://www.stpaulsmobile.net.

Holden High School

Teens from all over the Bay Area travel all the way to Holden High School in Orinda to obtain the education they could never have gotten elsewhere. Holden High does more than provide students with an academic program that fits their needs; the school’s educators helps teens deal with issues like identity, alienation, negative self-image, alcohol addiction, drug abuse, and anger problems.  Research shows that the chances of school success increases when the student has a one-on-one relationship with a staff member. To facilitate this, Holden requires each student to have Resource and Support sessions with a counselor each week.  The session can be used for therapy, or it can be used to accomplish other goals. Regardless of how this time is spent, the important part is that each student develops a healthy relationship with a caring adult at school. This makes the student more trusting, more positive, and moreopen to developing a wide range of abilities and talents. Learn more about Holden High at http://holdenhigh.org/.

These are only some of the East Bay schools that you may want to check out for your child.