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Bayhill High School is a school for high school students with language-based learning disabilities and students with other learning differences who benefit from the following educational features:
- A small school and small class size.
- Explicit instruction, multi-sensory approaches, and assistive technology.
- A college preparatory curriculum.
- A “skills support” program which provides intensive remediation for students
with academic delays.
- Supplementary services such as speech and language services, individual
and group counseling.
- Course offerings that include a vocational program, an emphasis on physical
education, a variety of art options, and specially designed courses in study skill
strategies and social skills.
- Highly qualified teachers credentialed in special education and/or a single
subject.
- Accredited by WASC, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Certified as a Nonpublic School by the California Department of Education.
If you think Bayhill High School may be a good match for your child, please review our admissions information, download and submit an application, and/or contact us to discuss your individual situation.
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Bayhill High School serves students with academic difficulties who are entering 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades. Eligible students have average to above average intelligence, whose processing of information make it difficult for them to excel in a traditional classroom or school setting. Bayhill High School accepts students who can benefit from our unique educational environment.
These students may have a variety of disabilities or learning difficulties, including the following:
Learning disabilities: This means that the student does not achieve commensurate with his or her age and learning ability levels. In most cases, a severe discrepancy is seen between academic achievement and intellectual ability in one or more of the following areas:
- Reading skills (word reading, comprehension and/or fluency)
- Math skills (computation and/or reasoning)
- Written language (the mechanics of writing and/or ability to organize thoughts coherently on paper or keyboard)
- Language (the ability to express ideas in language, understand language, and use language appropriately in a
variety of contexts)
Other Learning Differences that affect a students ability to make academic progress, such as:
- Attention difficulties (ADD, ADHD)
- Auditory Processing Disorder
- Disorders of visual processing
- Language disorders
- Executive functioning difficulties. This means difficulties with organization skills that affect age appropriate
acquisition of study skills
Social Disorders: students with a variety of social disorders may be accepted if their disability is mild and does not require an intensive mental health program. Examples include:
- Asperger’s Syndrome
- Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD)
- Tourette’s Syndrome
- School anxiety
- Mild depression
Unfortunately, we are not able to meet the needs of students with the following difficulties:
Autism
Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Developmental delay
Emotional and behavioral problems that are moderate to severe
Substance abuse problems
Parents who wish to enroll their child follow the admissions process described in our Admissions Procedures.
Enrollment at Bayhill High School is a two-way commitment. Students and families must commit to these responsibilities:
- Enrollment is for a full academic year.
- Participation: Success in school requires not only excellent attendance of the student but family participation in
communication, planning, special events, and volunteer activities.
- Respect: Students are expected to respect themselves by being actively engaged in their education, respect their
peers, and respect their teachers and school by following school rules. Parents should enter into our school
community with a collaborative and cooperative spirit.
In turn Bayhill High School makes a number of important commitments:
- To individualize instruction to the greatest extent possible within our program so that students can reach their
potential.
- To communicate early and often about students’ progress.
- To assist students and families in preparing for important transitions.
Confidentiality of Information: All information concerning your child’s academic and psychological records and progress reports is confidential under Federal and State Laws. These reports may not be distributed to any professional or other persons who are not a Bayhill High School staff member without the written consent, in advance, of parents or legal guardians.
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1. The application period for the 2010-11 academic year began on October 1, 2009.
2. A complete application to Bayhill High School is as follows:
- A completed admissions application form
- An application fee: For the 2010-11 school year, the application fee is $100.
- A letter of introduction in which the student's interests, talents, and current academic challenges are discussed. A
letter from the student is optional.
- Recently administered (within three years) individual ability and achievement testing (e.g. WISC III, WJ III, WIAT)
- School records (e.g. recent report card). For 10th and 11th grade applicants high school transcripts are required.
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP or 504 plan) if available
- Speech/ Language, Occupational Therapy testing and other additional information which would enhance our
understanding of the student, if available
- A recent photo
- Financial aid information if a scholarship is needed (see Financial Aid Information sheet)
The admissions process to Bayhill High School involves careful analysis and consideration of each applicant’s information. The goal is to ensure that there is a good two-way fit between Bayhill High School and the student. To ensure that Bayhill High School can make accurate admissions decisions, a complete application must be submitted. For this reason, please note that only a complete application will be reviewed.
3. After reviewing the admissions packet, Bayhill High School will contact you via mail to confirm whether or not the application is complete and if additional information is needed.
4. Shortly thereafter, Bayhill High School will inform you if a general screening has determined the suitability of our program to meet the student’s needs. If so, we will ask for a signed release of information to talk to professionals who have worked with the student. We will also provide you with teacher questionnaires that must be completed by the student's current teacher(s).
5. You may wish to attend our Open Houses.
6. Family observations are also an optional step in the application process. We will send you information about how to participate in the observation process following receipt of your completed application.
7. Student visits are already being scheduled. Students will spend half a day in classrooms and depart before lunch. The visit day will include a brief interview and academic screening.
8. The last day to submit application packets for priority admissions is February 1, 2010. We will continue to accept applications throughout the spring and summer.
9. Applicants will be contacted about our admissions decisions on March 19, 2010. Decisions will be made based on the appropriateness of the student for our school program and the order in which the admission materials were received. A waiting list will be established for students for whom there are no available openings. Applicants on the waiting list will be contacted if an opening occurs.
Click HERE for a handy Application Checklist
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The application fee for the 2010-11 school year is $100.
Tuition for the 2010-11 school year is $23,850.00.
Supplementary services are offered. These may include speech and language services, psychological counseling, occupational therapy, and educational therapy. Please inquire about fees for these services. Some may be included in the school’s tuition.
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Bayhill High School values diversity in it’s student body and strives to accept all eligible applicants regardless of their ability to pay the full tuition. Therefore, financial aid to offset the cost of a Bayhill High School education is available. Scholarships are awarded based upon Bayhill High School’s resources as well as the financial need of the student’s family. In order to determine eligibility for financial aid, the applicant must complete the following steps:
- The Bayhill High School Financial Aid Application is available by clicking here.
- Complete a Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS) for School and Student Services for Financial Aid (SSS) and
submit it to SSS in Princeton, New Jersey with a modest fee (fees start at $22.00). The PFS may be obtained and
submitted online at www.sss.ets.org. If you are unable to complete the online PFS, please contact Bayhill High
School for assistance in obtaining a form.
- Submit a photocopy of your PFS to Bayhill High School.
- Submit a photocopy of your 2009 Federal tax forms to Bayhill High School.
- Submit a copy of your 2009 W2 to Bayhill High School.
- Financial Aid documents must be submitted by February 15, 2010 in order for us to make scholarship decisions
when we make offers of admission.
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Bayhill High School has a rolling admissions process, so applications may be accepted up to and beyond the first day of school.
Important Admissions Dates and Deadlines -
2010-2011 Application files must be complete February 1, 2010
Financial Aid Applications due February 1, 2010
Decision notification sent by mail March 18, 2010
Depending on available openings, students may be accepted mid-year.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, which has open house announcements, please email info@bayhillhs.org with your contact information.
Open Houses include detailed information about the school, an opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff, and a tour of our facility. Attendance at an Open House is optional but highly recommended. Open Houses take place at Bayhill High School campus, and dates for the 20089-2010 year are as follows.
Tuesday October 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Saturday November 20, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Thursday February 1st, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Applicants will be scheduled for a student visit or interview following the receipt of a complete student's application.
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I’m lucky to have a school like [this one] so they can focus on helping me learn better. The teachers know what they’re doing. They’re really nice and cool. This school is really helping me. My old school helped me too, but this one is helping a whole lot more. My goals for the year are to get good grades, learn to drive and make lots of friends. I guess I mean to keep the friends I have made since I’ve already made so many. RH
Having a learning disability is not great. It’s not the kinda thing you really want to have as a student but [this high school] helps me in many ways. The teachers sit down with me, help me get it and show me how I can do better. These are the things I need. The teachers are amazing. They’re skilled at what they do, and I hope they keep it up because they’re great at it. MG
Having a LD feels weird. It makes you feel different because other people learn faster. Sometimes they can laugh at you. Sometimes you wish you didn’t have it. At [this high school], everyone is the same. You feel part of the group, not separated. The teachers actually help you improve your skills and reach your goals. I’m getting the help I need in reading and in Math. {This high school] is a great, small and friendly place. VL
Having a learning disability… I can’t put it in words. It’s difficult sometimes. In school it’s hard but when I talk to friends it doesn’t really affect me. [This high school] is like no other school. At other high schools, you don’t get the attention you need. You feel stuck and you don’t learn. I like all the teachers because we have fun assignments and fieldtrips. If you need to talk, they are always there, will listen and hear you out. Without [this high school], I would fight my disability instead of getting it under control. I used to have trouble speaking and also I had lots of trouble with Math. With [my math teacher’s] help, I now feel confident about my math skills. JP
[The high school] makes it easier to learn. It’s friendlier than most schools. It’s small and we look out for each other. The teachers help more and the learning is more one-on-one. NG
It’s challenging and fun and interesting to learn what a learning disability is because you get to know more about yourself in the process. I know I have trouble with Math and reading comprehension, but I see myself as a normal, average kid. [The high school] is smaller community is good because you know everyone. I don’t feel pressure. The teachers actually listen to you instead of talking at you. MC
I don’t feel different anymore. At my old school, some people made fun of me for having a learning disability. At [the High School], everyone has different needs, but we all feel the same. If I had to go to a public school, I might be pushed around, teased and maybe been a high school dropout. So by being a student here, I can learn and make friends. At [the high school] I can learn stuff that I’ve never learned before. Now I’m doing great at Math and communicating better.
I travel all the way from San Francisco to come here because it’s a place where kids who have learning disabilities can learn. WL
Having a learning disability makes learning a little harder but I have a different perspective on learning than other students. I learn my own way and that’s OK by me.
Having a LD school is important so kids don’t get confused about things that are not their fault. They need a place that can help them. Here you can be who you are. You don’t have to hide your learning disability. You’re not abnormal; you’re just a regular kid who learns differently. Basically it’s a good school for kids who need help! MR
Having a learning disability is difficult. At my other school I was treated different than other people, and it was harder to learn. A lot of the time I felt upset. At [the high school], I get treated the same as everyone else. I understand everything a lot better, and I have good friends. I’m glad there is a school like this, because I can stay positive and have fun. RM
Having a learning disability is like a puzzle. It takes extra long for the pieces to fit.
I used to go to a high school that was not for LD kids and they found it hard to accommodate my needs. Some teacher didn’t even know I was learning disabled even though I wrote them a letter telling that I was. So coming here is like a glove that fits. It meets my needs and has a small enough class size that makes me feel that I can learn. I don’t feel intimidated anymore.
Teacher here are different because they take the time to listen and talk to you. It’s a small enough environment that they can see if someone is struggling and they can take the time to help.
[The high school] helps me reach my goals be better preparing me for the exit exam, the SATs, and giving me the skills I will need in college and business. MD
Having a school like this is important because people need a place to get help with their learning disability. [The high school] is one of the few schools of its kind. It’s really small and you get more individualized attention. The classmates are like anyone else and the teachers really care about you and will help you. TH
I think [the high school] is awesome! It’s one of the best schools I’ve gone to. It has teachers that are people, not just teachers. It’s awesome. All the kids here are really friendly.
It’s really important that a school like this is around. Sure there are schools for leaning disabled students but they are few and far between. High school for us are even fewer! From a statistical standpoint it’s really important but from a personal standpoint I really want to have my friends around.
The teachers interact with us, they don’t just stand there and tell us what to do. They’re very helpful and you wouldn’t be able to get through a day without them. They are really caring. IB
It is very different than my public school. It suits my needs very well. Teachers give me extra time and homework that I can handle. The teachers are nicer than at the public school. The kids are great and it’s not what you would expect. There’s always going to be that difference. TC
This school is important because there are a significant number of kids with learning disabilities in the Bay Area and they need a school to go to because other schools will not accommodate them.
If you’re looking for a school where you hope to be understood, than this is probably the best school you’ll find on the west coast. Here I’ve gained more self-esteem, it has helped me socially and it’s been really fun. The teachers made a big difference. It’s not like there is a wall between you and the teacher and they don’t have the time to talk with you individually.
Support the high school because it’s a salvation for most kids with learning disabilities. There’s no other school for them in the east bay where they can go and learn. RS
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