Switzer Center

Programs: Since 1966, switzer centers 3rd -12th grade, coeducational, nonsectarian, nonpublic special education school has helped thousands of students with exceptional needs achieve academic, vocational and personal goals unobtainable in conventional educational settings. All students with an individualized education plan eligibility of autism, emotional disturbance, multiple disabilities, intellectual disability, other health impairment, speech and language impairment and specific learning disabilities receive intensive individualized instruction, counseling and guidance, language and speech development and remediation, behavioral analysis and interventions, and psychological and educational assessments, and transportation services. Our heritage program students with learning, social and emotional disabilities are on an academic track to earn their high school diploma. Many heritage students dual-enroll at public schools or southern california regional occupational center; earn their high school diplomas, and then attend el camino community college or los angeles harbor college. The spectrum program for middle and high school students with moderate-severe autistic spectrum disorders uses an alternative curriculum that teaches functional skills and focuses on social, emotional, and relationship development using guided participation and community-based learning activities. The self-advocacy and independent living (sail) transition program supports young adults, ages 18-22, with moderate-severe autistic spectrum disorders as they build independence, living, and job skills to transition to life beyond high school. Sudents are public school students referred when school districts are unable to provide the specialized services students need, and must meet all the same educational curriculum and testing requirements as their peers in public school. A nurturing, therapeutic team of dedicated professionals, extracurricular and enrichment activities, advanced technology, home/science and student kitchens, computer lab, arts and crafts studio, music production and editing studio, mechanical skills shop, occupational therapy room, and fitness gym support our students' developoment, learning and success. All classes are taught by a credentialed special teacher and an instructional aide. About a third of the students have 1:1 behavioral aides. At the end of the 2016 academic school year, switzer learning centers heritage program had one middle school, and five high school classrooms with a maximum of 12 students in each. The spectrum program and the sail transition programs are each comprised of two classrooms with a maximum of 9 students in each.