Referring a student to The Craig School
TCS is a CDE-certified Nonpublic School in Irvine for students in grades 3-8. designed around ADHD. This page covers who we serve, who we are not built for, how district placement works, and how to observe a student.
Professional referrals
Carol Reed
Admissions Coordinator
We typically respond within one business day. Call before a family applies if you are unsure about fit.
Who TCS serves.
A diagnosis is not required to inquire or to enroll.
Who we are not built for.
- Students who need a therapeutic placement
- Continuous one-to-one behavioral intervention or a full-time aide
- Students who need daily psychiatric care
- Students whose cognitive profile puts grade-level work out of reach
This is capacity, not preference. Our classrooms run on a ratio, and a student who needs an adult beside them all day pulls support away from everyone else. If a student is close to this line, call us before the family applies.
Observe a student without changing the room.
Observation rooms with two-way mirrors sit between classrooms. Psychologists, district teams and other referring professionals can watch a student through a normal school day without sitting in the back of the class.
Students know the rooms are there. Visits are scheduled through admissions, with parent authorization.
The academic program
Curriculum
Instruction
Assessment
Social skills
Executive functioning
Family partnership
Student Profiles
ADHD
Students who benefit from structure, organization, movement, and executive function support.
Co-occurring ADHD and ASD
Students navigating both ADHD and autism-related needs.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Students who thrive in predictable environments, supportive classrooms, and relationship-based learning.
No Diagnosis Required
Many families know something isn’t working long before a diagnosis exists. A formal diagnosis is not required for admission.
What Makes TCS Different
At TCS, academics, behavior, and social development are integrated into one coordinated system rather than addressed separately.
Academic Program
Standards-aligned instruction delivered by credentialed teachers in small classrooms.
Built-In Support
Behavioral and executive functioning support is embedded throughout the day.
Daily Social Skills
Explicit instruction in communication, self-advocacy, and peer interaction.
Collaboration
With parent authorization, we regularly collaborate with:
- Educational consultants
- Psychologists
- Neuropsychologists
- Therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Pediatricians
- School district teams
Our shared goal is helping students succeed across environments.
Understanding ADHD in Girls & Women
In March 2026, The Craig School welcomed internationally recognized ADHD researcher Dr. Stephen Hinshaw for a special presentation on ADHD in girls and women.
The discussion explored why girls are often overlooked, how ADHD presents differently in females, and what families and educators can do to better support these learners.
A model with deep roots
The Craig School grew out of a long-running program at UC Irvine focused on students with ADHD and related learning differences.
When the university program ended in 2019, a core group of educators, staff, and families carried that experience forward and established The Craig School as an independent nonprofit school.
Today, our model continues to evolve. Current research and evidence-informed practices shape our approach to academics, executive function, attention, social learning, communication, assessment, and student support.
For professionals working with children and families, that distinction matters.
TCS is not a clinical or therapeutic program. We are a school. Students receive strong academic instruction within an environment intentionally designed to address many of the executive function, attention, communication, and social-learning challenges that can interfere with success in a traditional classroom.
Schedule a visit to TCS
The best way to understand The Craig School is to experience it firsthand. We welcome educational consultants, psychologists, therapists, and other professionals to learn more about our program and how we support students. You can also call us at (949) 812-6222 Ext. 13 or email admissions@thecraigschool.org.
