The Craig School
OUR STORY
The Craig School is a nonprofit private school in Irvine, California, serving students in grades 3–8 whose learning and attention needs are not well met in traditional classrooms.
Many of the students who come to us are capable and curious, yet school has become a place of frustration. They may struggle with attention, regulation, anxiety, or executive functioning, and over time those challenges can overshadow their strengths. Families often arrive after trying multiple settings, hoping to find a school that truly understands how their child learns.
The Craig School exists to be that place.
Our program was built on research that began decades ago at the University of California, Irvine, where a laboratory school studied how children with ADHD function in real classroom environments. The focus was never on short-term fixes. It was on helping students build skills that would last.
That research foundation continues to guide our work today, but it has been shaped by years of experience working directly with students and families. We bring together academic instruction, behavioral support, and social-emotional learning in a way that feels practical and grounded in daily school life.
Support at The Craig School is not something students earn or lose. It is built into the structure of the day. Classrooms are small and intentionally staffed, with credentialed teachers and trained support professionals who understand how neurodiverse students learn. Students are supported in staying engaged with learning rather than being removed from it.
Equally important is the environment itself. Students are met with consistency, respect, and clear expectations. They are encouraged to try, reflect, and grow without fear of shame. Over time, many students begin to rebuild confidence in themselves as learners and as members of a community.
Families are active partners in this work. We believe progress is strongest when school and home are aligned, and we work closely with parents to help skills carry beyond the classroom.
As a nonprofit organization, The Craig School relies on philanthropic support to make this program accessible. Donations directly support tuition assistance, classroom resources, staff training, and research-informed initiatives that strengthen outcomes for students.
Every gift helps ensure that students who need this environment are able to access it and grow within it.
Mission Statement
To provide a safe and nurturing environment in which children can connect, communicate, and create.
The Craig School integrates comprehensive social teaching and applied behavior analysis strategies into the classroom in a student-centered learning environment.
Background Statement
The Craig School is rooted in more than three decades of research and clinical work developed through the Child Development Center School at the University of California, Irvine.
That university-based program focused on understanding how children with ADHD and related executive functioning challenges learn, regulate, and engage in real classroom settings. As families sought a full-day academic school that could sustain this work long term, the program transitioned into the community and became an independent nonprofit school.
Today, The Craig School carries forward that research-informed foundation while continuing to refine its approach through daily practice, observation, and collaboration with families.
Impact Statement
The Craig School serves students in grades 3 through 8 who benefit from a structured, supportive learning environment designed for attention, regulation, and engagement.
As a California-certified Nonpublic School (NPS), The Craig School is able to partner with local school districts to support students whose needs cannot be met in traditional settings. Students receive a full academic program alongside integrated behavioral and social-emotional support, allowing them to remain engaged in learning and make steady progress over time.
The school’s impact is measured not only by academic growth, but by increased confidence, regulation, and participation in school and daily life.
Needs Statement
Tuition alone does not fully cover the cost of the individualized support The Craig School provides each day.
Philanthropic support helps fund tuition assistance for families with demonstrated financial need, ensuring access to the program for students who may otherwise be unable to attend. Contributions also support classroom resources, staff training, and continued program development.
Ongoing donor support is essential to sustaining access, stability, and long-term impact.
Geographic Areas Served
Greater Orange County
Top Three Populations Served
- People with Disabilities
Statement from the CEO/Executive Director
At The Craig School, we believe students do best when their learning environment is designed around who they are, not what they struggle with.
Our work is grounded in research, shaped by experience, and centered on students and families. With the support of our community and donors, we are able to provide an environment where students feel understood, supported, and capable of meaningful growth over time.
We are deeply grateful to those who help make this work possible.
— Sabrina E.B. Schuck, Ph.D., Executive Director and Chair Scientific Advisory Board, The Craig School
Statement from the Board Chair/President
The Craig School is the successor to a 30-year university-based program at UC Irvine that transformed how children with ADHD and related challenges are supported in school.
When that program closed in 2019, a group of parents came together to ensure the work would continue. They founded The Craig School as an independent nonprofit so future students could benefit from the same research-informed, relationship-driven approach that had been so impactful for their own children.
Thanks to the commitment of families, donors, and an exceptional team of educators and staff, The Craig School continues to serve students in grades 3 through 8 who need a learning environment built for how they learn and grow.
CONTACT
The Craig School
3400 Michelson Drive
Suite 200
Irvine, California 92612
David Allison
Phone: 9492528635