Division Overview

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs collaborates with public school special education departments to operate nonpublic schools for students with special needs, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), developmental delays, emotional disturbance, pervasive developmental disorders and behavioral challenges. Spectrum Center serves 115 school districts.

All Spectrum Center students receive individualized instruction in academic, social and behavioral skills, including independent living and vocational skills, and all teachers meet special education teacher requirements. For more than 35 years, Spectrum Center has served children with challenging educational and behavioral needs and helped them advance educationally and behaviorally.

Spectrum Center is known for the quality of its research-based, data-driven programs and holds the highest rating from Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in all categories for its pre-kindergarten through grade 12 programs.

Approach

With a multi-disciplinary team that includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts, teachers, therapists, speech pathologists, vocational coaches and consultants, Spectrum Center provides quality education services for students aged five to 22 with special needs. 

Spectrum Center offers rigorous academics, engaging technology and strong behavior support systems in a highly innovative education environment where students can thrive and then transition to life after high school.

Environment and Culture

When educating students with special needs, including children with autism, Spectrum Center clinicians and instructors rely on proven, scientifically sound methods of instruction, including the following approaches, when appropriate, for each individual student:

• applied behavior analysis (ABA);
• positive behavior support (PBS);
• level systems;
• discrete trial training (DTT);
• functional analysis assessment (FAA);
• behavior intervention plans (BIP);
• incidental teaching; and
• Pivotal Response Training.

Collaborative Classrooms

In addition to providing non-public school campuses for students with differing abilities, Spectrum Center also partners with public school districts to provide dedicated classrooms within public schools. In these on-site Collaborative Classrooms, Spectrum Center provides individualized services to students with autism, developmental disabilities, emotional disorders and behavioral challenges within a district setting.

Spectrum Academy
Spectrum Center offers the Spectrum Academy program for students with emotional disturbance or developmental disabilities. Spectrum Academy provides a highly innovative education environment, offering rigorous academics, engaging technology and strong positive behavior support systems to help students prepare for transition to life after high school

Through highly individualized services, Spectrum Center Schools and Programs provides an educational advantage to all students, regardless of their learning style or disability.