A school day that works
An independent school for grades 3-8 in Irvine, CA.
The Craig School is built for capable students who are ready to learn with peers and thrive in a structured classroom. Academics, executive function, and daily social communication practice are built into every part of the school day. By design.
Now enrolling for 2026–27.
THE TCS INTEGRATED MODEL
The whole day works together.
At most schools, support is something that happens somewhere else. A resource period. A pull-out session. A specialist your child walks out of class to see.
At TCS, support is the structure. Every part of the school day is designed to reinforce the rest. Nothing operates in isolation. When the environment is coherent by design, students spend less energy navigating the system and more energy learning.
Grades 3-8
5:1
Built-In Support
Family partnership
THE TCS MODEL
Four pillars. One school.
The TCS model is built on four interconnected components. Each one is intentional. Together, they form a school day that works for students whose brains have been underserved by traditional environments.
Academic Excellence
High expectations stay. When the environment fits, capable students get to show what they know.
Executive Function
Planning, organization, and flexible thinking are teachable skills. At TCS, they are built into every school day.
Social Skills
A daily core class where students learn to understand themselves, communicate clearly, and build real relationships.
Family Partnership
Growth does not stop at dismissal. Families stay informed and involved so learning carries into what comes next.
ACADEMICS
Strong academics, designed for how students learn.
Parents worry that a specialized school means lower expectations. At TCS, the opposite is true.
When capable students learn in an environment built for them, academic progress follows. Not because expectations dropped. Because the environment stopped working against them.
TCS uses Amplify Literacy, Desmos Math, and Amplify Science across grades 3–8. These rigorous programs are delivered inside a structure that helps every student access them fully.
mCLASS assessments help teachers identify individual needs, monitor progress, and adjust instruction throughout the year so no student goes unseen.
The academic model is grounded in 35 years of ADHD research from UC Irvine. That foundation shapes how TCS teaches, assesses, and supports every student.
THE RIGHT FIT
Who TCS is designed for.
You do not need a diagnosis to know something is not working.
Many families come to TCS knowing their child is capable but stuck. Some have a clear diagnosis. Some are still figuring it out. What they share is a belief that their child needs a different kind of school.
TCS serves students in grades 3–8 who are ready to learn with peers and thrive in a structured, small-group academic setting. A formal diagnosis is not required for admission.
Students who do well at TCS tend to:
- Are capable, but underserved by a traditional school environment
- Are ready to learn alongside peers
- Benefit from consistency, clear expectations, and predictable routines
- Need support built into the classroom
TCS is an academic school. It is not a clinical, therapeutic, or behavioral placement.
TCS can be a strong fit for students on the autism spectrum who can engage in a shared classroom with built-in structure. If your child depends on individualized in-class support throughout the day, the best next step is an honest conversation about fit.
TRANSITION READINESS
Students leave ready.
TCS is not a place where students wait out the hard years. It is a place where they build what they need for what comes next.
Graduates return to traditional school settings ready to manage their own learning, ask for what they need, and participate fully. Families consistently describe the change as significant in academics, confidence, and self-awareness.
That readiness is the point of the model.
Ready to learn. Ready to advocate. Ready to participate. Ready to move forward.
It's like he finally gets to be a kid again. After years of bullying and isolation, he found a place where he belongs.
Frequently asked questions
At most schools, support is a layer added on top of a standard structure. At TCS, the four pillars are the structure. Academic Excellence, Executive Function, Social Skills and Communications, and Family Partnership are woven into every part of the school day.
No. TCS is an academic school with a model designed for students who learn differently. Students who need a clinical or behavioral intervention setting are better served elsewhere. TCS students are capable learners who are ready to be in school with peers.
Yes. Most TCS graduates return to traditional schools ready to learn, advocate for themselves, and participate fully. Building that readiness is the point of the model.
Yes. Financial aid is available up to full tuition. Cost should not be the reason a family rules TCS out before starting a conversation. Talk with the admissions team first.
No. A formal diagnosis is not required for admission. Many families come to TCS still figuring out what is going on. What matters most is whether TCS is the right environment for your child right now.
Start with a conversation. Tell us what school has been like for your child. The admissions team will respond within one business day. No commitments required.
ADmissions
Start with a conversation.
Your child is capable. You know it. The environment has just been working against them.
Tell us what school has been like for your child and what you hope could be different. The admissions team will listen, answer your questions honestly, and help you figure out whether TCS is the right fit.
We move at your pace. No pressure.
Financial aid is available up to full tuition. Don't rule us out before you talk to us.
Now enrolling for 2026–27.