Spectrum Center Programs was founded in 1975 by Ernie Wing and Mary Lessa, two young teachers who had a vision for creating a school based upon the principals of behavior analysis and a belief that they could make a difference in the lives of children.
Their first βschoolβ was started in the humblest of locations, a βclassroomβ located in a garage in downtown Oakland.
Spectrum Center Schools has been a leader in providing special education services to the San Francisco Bay Area since 1975.
Our program was founded as an alternative for students whose disabilities prevented them from attending public school.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Special Education School
- Grades: 2-12
- Enrollment: 39 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Spectrum Center ranks among the top 20% of private schools in California for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 2-12
Student Body
Total Students
39 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
93%
State avg.: 52%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
4 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
National avg.:
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Application URL
School Notes
- School Motto: A successful future starts with Spectrum Schools and Programs
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for Spectrum Center?
The application deadline for Spectrum Center is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Spectrum Center located?
Spectrum Center is located in the Frick neighborhood of Oakland, CA. There are 1 other private schools located in Frick.
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Spectrum Center also viewed these schools: Fred Finch-oakland Hills Academy, Seneca Family Of Agencies James Baldwin Academy, Stars High School, The Phillips Academy and The Springstone School.
The nearest high school to Spectrum Center is Bishop Odowd High School (2.0 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Sts.cyril-louis Bertrand Academy (0.1 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Dr Herbert Guice Christian Academy (0.9 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Fred Finch-oakland Hills Academy
Special Education School
3800 Coolidge Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 529-9478
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 529-9478
2.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 12 students
Seneca Family Of Agencies James Baldwin Academy
Special Education School
2275 Arlington Dr
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 481-1222
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 481-1222
5.9 miles
Gr: 5-12 | 64 students
Stars High School
Special Education School
545 Estudillo Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 924-4158
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 924-4158
3.7 miles
Gr: 10-12 | 9 students
1910 Central Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-7100
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-7100
3.9 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 56 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Springstone School ![The Springstone School Photo - The Springstone School Main Hall.]( "The Springstone School Photo - The Springstone School Main Hall.")
Special Education School
1035 Carol Ln
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-9660
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-9660
9.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 56 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Fred Finch-oakland Hills Academy
Special Education School
3800 Coolidge Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 529-9478
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 529-9478
2.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 12 students
Seneca Family Of Agencies James Baldwin Academy
Special Education School
2275 Arlington Dr
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 481-1222
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 481-1222
5.9 miles
Gr: 5-12 | 64 students
Stars High School
Special Education School
545 Estudillo Ave
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 924-4158
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 924-4158
3.7 miles
Gr: 10-12 | 9 students
1910 Central Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-7100
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-7100
3.9 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 56 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Springstone School ![The Springstone School Photo - The Springstone School Main Hall.]( "The Springstone School Photo - The Springstone School Main Hall.")
Special Education School
1035 Carol Ln
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-9660
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-9660
9.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 56 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Fred Finch-oakland Hills Academy
Special Education School
3800 Coolidge Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 529-9478
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 529-9478
2.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 12 students
Seneca Family Of Agencies James Baldwin Academy
Special Education School
2275 Arlington Dr
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 481-1222
San Leandro, CA 94578
(510) 481-1222
5.9 miles
Gr: 5-12 | 64 students
1910 Central Ave
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-7100
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 769-7100
3.9 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 56 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
The Springstone School ![The Springstone School Photo - The Springstone School Main Hall.]( "The Springstone School Photo - The Springstone School Main Hall.")
Special Education School
1035 Carol Ln
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-9660
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-9660
9.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 56 students Tuition listed
1868 Clayton Road
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 377-0789
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 377-0789
16 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 29 students Avg. class size: 8 students Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Wings Learning Center
Special Education School
2500 Cottonwood Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 624-3165
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 624-3165
17.3 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 38 students Avg. class size: 6 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Sts.cyril-louis Bertrand Academy
(Catholic)
3200 62nd Avenue
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 638-9445
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 638-9445
0.1 miles
Gr: K-8 | 199 students Acceptance rate listed
6925 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 729-0330
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 729-0330
0.9 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 46 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Seneca Family Of Agencies Maya Angelou Academy
Special Education School
3695 High St
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 434-7990
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 434-7990
1.2 miles
Gr: 1-5 | 78 students
Baywood Learning Centers
Special Program Emphasis (Christian)
12500 Campus Drive
Oakland, CA 94619
Oakland, CA 94619
1.4 miles
Gr: PK | 20 students
4432 Mountain Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 482-2850
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 482-2850
1.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 62 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
9500 Stearns Avenue
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 577-9100
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 577-9100
2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,248 students Avg. class size: 25 students Sports: 15 | Extracurrculars: 22 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School
(Catholic)
Po Box 7010
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 517-2103
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 517-2103
2.2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 272 students Tuition listed
Light Islamic Academy
Special Program Emphasis (Islamic)
9857 Macarthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 712-1000
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 712-1000
2.2 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 140 students Avg. class size: 25 students Sports: 1 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Patten Academy Of Christian Education ![Patten Academy Of Christian Education Photo]( "Patten Academy Of Christian Education Photo")
(Christian)
2430 Coolidge Ave
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 533-3121
Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 533-3121
2.2 miles
Gr: K-12 | 169 students Avg. class size: 9 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Fred Finch-oakland Hills Academy
Special Education School
3800 Coolidge Ave
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 529-9478
Oakland, CA 94602
(510) 529-9478
2.3 miles
Gr: 6-12 | 12 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Sts.cyril-louis Bertrand Academy
(Catholic)
3200 62nd Avenue
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 638-9445
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 638-9445
0.1 miles
Gr: K-8 | 199 students Acceptance rate listed
6925 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 729-0330
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 729-0330
0.9 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 46 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Seneca Family Of Agencies Maya Angelou Academy
Special Education School
3695 High St
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 434-7990
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 434-7990
1.2 miles
Gr: 1-5 | 78 students
Cornerstone Christian Academy
(Baptist)
3535 38th Ave
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 530-9166
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 530-9166
1.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 20 students
8924 Holly St
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 632-8230
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 632-8230
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 117 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
6925 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 729-0330
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 729-0330
0.9 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 46 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Baywood Learning Centers
Special Program Emphasis (Christian)
12500 Campus Drive
Oakland, CA 94619
Oakland, CA 94619
1.4 miles
Gr: PK | 20 students
4432 Mountain Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 482-2850
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 482-2850
1.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 62 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Cornerstone Christian Academy
(Baptist)
3535 38th Ave
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 530-9166
Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 530-9166
1.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 20 students
8924 Holly St
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 632-8230
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 632-8230
1.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 117 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3200 62nd Ave.
Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 638-9445
Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 638-9445
0.1 miles
Gr: K-5 | 217 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
(Math: ≤1% | Reading: 6%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2845 64th Ave.
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 879-3219
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 879-3219
0.1 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 392 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1180 70th Ave.
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 564-4851
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 564-4851
0.1 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 132 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 44:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6038 Brann St.
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 635-7170
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 635-7170
0.2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 295 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
3550 64th Ave.
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 879-5004
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 879-5004
0.3 miles
School Reviews
Endorse Spectrum Center. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Ask Current Parents What Admissions Won't Answer
Learn how to ask current private school parents revealing questions about culture, academics, communication, costs, discipline, and community life before deciding whether a school truly fits your family well.
When School Anxiety Is Really a School Fit Problem
Learn when school anxiety may signal a poor school fit, how parents can identify academic or social mismatches, and when changing private schools deserves serious consideration for families today.
Will My Child Find Their People? Evaluating School Culture
Learn how to evaluate private school culture, student belonging, friendships, teacher relationships, social dynamics, and authentic community fit so your child can find the right place to thrive and connect.
