Directory

Independent · San Mateo (Peninsula)

Stanbridge Academy

Students
~40
Ratio
8:1
Tuition
$60k

What makes this school special

  • Teaching students who learn differently since 1982 (high-functioning autism, ADHD, dyslexia, processing differences) on a diploma-track, college-prep curriculum
  • Speech and language services, Social Thinking, and Zones of Regulation are part of the school day, not referrals out
  • Postsecondary counseling starts in eighth grade; about three-quarters of graduates continue to college, university, or vocational programs
  • Two enrollment doors: families apply directly year-round, or districts place students through its certified Nonpublic School status at no cost to the family

Academics

Curriculum

Diploma-track college prep for students who learn differently — small classes at or below 8:1, Spanish 1-4, math through Calculus, postsecondary counseling from eighth grade

World languages

Spanish

Signature programs

  • Speech and language services on campus — individual, group, and in-class
  • Postsecondary planning from eighth grade through graduation
  • Social-emotional curriculum (Social Thinking, Zones of Regulation)
  • Daily P.E. plus BASSAL athletics from grade 6

UC admissions

UC doesn’t publish admissions data for this school.

Athletics, arts & activities

Athletics · Bay Area Small School Athletic League (BASSAL), founding member

BasketballVolleyballSoccerCross Country

Arts

Visual ArtBroadcastingMusic

Life there

Learning support

The school's founding purpose since 1982 — high-functioning autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, NVLD, auditory and language processing delays, and social-skills support woven through (Social Thinking, Zones of Regulation, on-campus speech and language services); not a therapeutic school, and not for students whose primary diagnosis is emotional or behavioral

Often on the same list

Sterne School

Independent

Bayhill High School

Independent

Sources

  1. The Admissions Process — year-round direct enrollment, the four steps, the shadow days and assessments, address
  2. Tuition & Financial Aid — 2026-27 tuition ($59,800), ten-payment plan, SSS aid, WASC/CAIS accreditation
  3. NPS Placement — the district-referral track, no cost to families when placed
  4. Who We Serve — who the school serves, and the line "Stanbridge is not a therapeutic school"
  5. High School Academics — the diploma-track curriculum, Spanish 1-4, electives (Visual Art, Broadcasting, Music), postsecondary counseling from eighth grade, the ~75% continuation figure
  6. Forms — the Stanbridge-Caltrain van shuttle (public-transportation permission form)
  7. High School Beyond the Classroom — BASSAL founding membership and league sports
  8. About Us — founded 1982, mission
  9. CDE Private School Affidavit, 2025-26 — enrollment (80 whole school K-12; 39 in grades 9-12)
  10. Contact us — directions to campus: "Stanbridge Academy is located just a few blocks from the San Mateo Caltrain station (approx. 10-minute walk)... Stanbridge Academy is also a block away from the SamTrans 292 bus stops (at Delaware and Poplar)"

Details checked August 2026