A school day built for how your child learns.
The Craig School is a nonprofit private school in Irvine for students in grades 3–8 with ADHD and executive functioning challenges, including students with co-occurring autism.
Grade-level academics, small-group instruction, daily social learning, and support throughout the day help students build skills, confidence, and greater independence.
They understand the lesson. Getting through the day is harder.
They have ideas but struggle to begin. Assignments disappear between school and home. Friendships take work. By the end of the day, there is little energy left for anything else.
You know your child is capable. You're looking for a school where they can show it.
At TCS, academics, executive functioning, social learning, and family partnership work together throughout the school day
A school built for ADHD
We incorporated over 35 years of ADHD research when we created TCS.
Small group learning
Core classes including math and ELA are taught in small leveled groups.
Support is always near
Classrooms have 3 adults and a maximum of 15 students.
Strong academics. Support that helps students access them.
Academics
Students learn through Amplify curriculum in English language arts, math, and science. Small instructional groups allow teachers to provide additional support or greater challenge based on what each student needs.
Teachers use assessments, classroom work, and daily observations to guide instruction and monitor progress.
Executive Functioning
Starting a task. Organizing materials. Following a plan. Asking for help.
Students learn these skills through direct instruction and daily practice. Adults model strategies, coach students as they use them, and gradually step back as independence grows.
Social Skills & Communications
Social learning has a dedicated place in the school day.
Students in grades 3-6 attend Social Skills. Students in grades 7-8 attend Communications. They practice understanding perspectives, navigating disagreements, building relationships, and advocating for themselves, then use those skills throughout the day.
Family Partnership
Families have people to turn to and practical strategies to use at home.
Every new family completes our required first-year Family Education Program. Ongoing communication and highly recommended Multiple Family Group meetings (on-campus and via Zoom) help families and staff share what is working and adjust when something needs attention.
A familiar school day, with support built in.
Academic classes. Lunch with friends. Time to regroup.
Students follow predictable routines with adults who help them navigate the work and moments around it. A reminder before a transition. Help finding the first step. Support working through a disagreement.
Our Daily Progress Report gives families a picture of how the day went and a starting point for conversations at home.
Learning continues outside
Our campus connects directly to the San Diego Creek Trail, giving students opportunities to explore, move, and learn outdoors.
Students in grades 5-8 participate in Riding for Focus, our structured cycling program through Outride. Younger students use the trail for walking-based exploration and outdoor learning.
Learn more about the mission of The Craig School.
Patty Ramsey, M.A., LMFT, Director of Student Support
What families want to know
Does my child need a diagnosis?
No. A formal diagnosis is not required to inquire or enroll, We work with families to understand how their child learns, what support they need, and whether TCS can provide the right environment.
What does it cost?
Annual tuition for 2026-27 is $41,000. The required first-year Family Education Program costs an additional $900 per family. Individually arranged clinical services are billed separately.
Needs-based financial aid is available, subject to demonstrated need and available funding.
View Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
Can my child start during the school year?
Yes. TCS offers rolling enrollment when space is available and we mutually determine that the program is a good fit.
What does family participation involve?
New families complete a required six-week evening Family Education Program with approximately 12 hours of instruction.
Afterward, we highly recommend attending Multiple Family Group for continued guidance, shared problem-solving, and connection with families. We offer on-campus and Zoom-based sessions for convenience.
Is there homework?
Homework begins in middle school. It is intended to reinforce classroom learning and build independent work habits. Families should contact their child's teacher when assignments regularly take too long or become a consistent source of frustration.
Tell us about your child.
What is working? What has been difficult? What do you hope to change?
Start with a conversation about your child and whether TCS could be the right fit. Submitting an inquiry does not commit you to applying or enrolling.
