New Vista School

New Vista School is a 501(c)(3), WASC accredited independent school serving the needs of Orange County students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in grades 6-12 and beyond. Our mission is to provide a structured, safe environment of academic, social, and transition skills instruction for students within the autism community. Our vision is to see each of our students overcome challenges related to ASD and become independent, well-adjusted adults.

Our school is located in Laguna Hills, CA, which we purchased in 2006. New Vista School is the only school of its kind for students with high functioning autism in the region. Our focus is offering a cross curriculum that combines California State Core Curriculum with our research-based social skills program. Our students come from all over southern California, with the majority being residents of Orange County.

New Vista School was established in 1976 as La Monte Academie with the goal of serving students with special needs in the Orange County area. The name was changed to New Vista School in 2006 and the mission narrowed to serve students who are diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, high functioning autism, and language learning disabilities.

For our upcoming fiscal year (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024), New Vista School has established the following goals:
Serve a minimum of 75 students in grades 6-12 at New Vista School.
Provide tuition assistance to low-income students as they have need and be prepared to assist families throughout the school year as their needs change.
Provide individualized transition support to 10-15 students ages 18-26.
Provide funding support for the operation of the New Vista Career Academy, a vocational and internship program for neurodiverse adults.

1. Tuition assistance
2. Program support
3. Transition and vocational studies
4. Faculty education
5. Event sponsorship
6. Internship opportunities

Central Orange County
West Orange County
South Orange County
North Orange County
New Vista School is located in Laguna Hills, CA. Our students come from all over southern CA, with the majority being residents of Orange County.

New Vista School provides a safe haven for these children. As a private school devoted to overcoming the many challenges faced by autistic youth, we are the only school of our kind in southern California. Some of our students drive an hour-long commute just to attend New Vista School because there is nothing like our school in their own communities.

As an independent school, we can focus on meeting the individual needs of each of our students. All of our curriculum and program standards are research-based and proven effective. We are not mandated to follow government-designated formulas that aren’t necessarily beneficial for all of our students. We develop personalized treatment plans based on each student’s unique skill sets and challenges.

In our mission, we state that we provide academic, social, and transition skills instruction for our students. We’ve identified these three areas as critical to preparing our students for successful and independent lives as adults. Social skill development is at the heart of everything we do. In additional to our dedicated social skills class, we integrate social interaction into every classroom and activity in which our students participate. This is just one of the many ways that New Vista School is unique and how we are so successful in helping our students achieve their personal best.

To improve our students’ academic performance, we’re placing a stronger emphasis on the use of technology in the classroom. This allows our students to be actively involved in the process of learning and eliminates many barriers to learning faced by students with ASD, including challenges related to communication and dexterity.

We also have a our Transition 5.0 program. The mission of the New Vista Career Transition 5.0 program is to help individuals with high functioning autism learn skills for the adult world specific to managing and maintaining employment and healthy living. Students will be engaged academically, socially and vocationally and model activities that lead to independent living. Participants will generalize their social competencies in the workplace and learn to become a capable employee while working towards honing skills that align with their vocational aspirations. The overall goal for participants is to gain the skills necessary for a career pathway and to obtain a job in their desired field while demonstrating healthy and sustainable habits for the adult world. New Vista Career Academy gives students an opportunity to leverage their strengths and interests to develop career goals that will help them live the life they desire. We have opportunities in our vocational day program that lead to potential work study in our internship program.

There are multiple ways to donate and to get involved at New Vista School. We hold an annual golf tournament each November with sponsorships available. Direct donations can be made through our website, PayPal, credit card, check, stock donations, property, life insurance and estates. We accept in-kind donations that pertain specifically to the needs of the school.
New Vista School also offers the following volunteer opportunities:

Guest speaking
Specialized education, such as consumer math and basic banking
Campus maintenance
Special event assistance
Administrative support (filing, organizing, etc.)
Community outreach and job training support