May Institute: The Bay School

Founded in 1999, The Bay School is a nonprofit, nonpublic school located in Santa Cruz California.

The Bay School provides students with autism and /or developmental disabilities ages 5 to 21, comprehensive, extended year educational and clinical services regardless of their race, national or ethnic origin, age gender, or religion. The educational and treatment approach used at The Bay School is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), a methodology that applies principles of behavior to learning. Our mission is to provide scientifically-based educational and clinical services to produce measurable and lasting improvements in the lives of the students and families we serve.

The Bay School is part of the May Institute, a national organization of award-winning programs for children and adults with autism and other special needs.

The Bay School Offers

An educational program that utilizes systematic instruction based on the principals of Applied Behavior Analysis

Highly trained professionals seeking to improve the quality of life of the students in their care

1:1 staff to student ratio

Curriculum that addresses the individual needs of each student

Opportunities for research in areas of education and intervention for students with autism and/or developmental disabilities

12 month, full day program

Student Education

Teaching programs are developed based on each student’s educational and behavioral needs. Individualized educational plans are designed for each student with annual objectives and measurable outcomes.

Objectives emphasize the development of language skills, academic skills, social skills, leisure skills, self-help and safety skills. Students’ progress is closely monitored by detailed data collection.

We work closely with families and encourage them to observe their child in programming, attend parent meetings, and implement teaching procedures in the home.

Journey Into Adulthood
Our focus is on helping our students successfully transition out of the classroom and into the community.

Our Community Inclusion and Employment program offers our adolescents and young adults opportunities to engage in valuable volunteer or paid work experiences in integrated community work settings.

keywords: non-public, non-profit, elementary, middle school, high school