About the PACE School
PACE operates two non-public school campuses located in Santa Clara (PACE Pruneridge) and Sunnyvale (PACE San Aleso). The PACE School serves students ages 6-22 who have moderate-to-severe autism with an emphasis on non-speaking students and currently serves over 60 students. The PACE School is certified by the California Department of Education and earned a six-year accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 2024.
The PACE Educational Approach
At the heart of the PACE educational model is our vision for every student to develop the ability to self-regulate, to relate, and to communicate. We believe that programs should be built around each child’s individual learning style. As a result, the PACE teaching philosophy is based on student-centered, social-emotional learning. This affect-based philosophy distinguishes the PACE program from many others that serve the autism population.
PACE School Methodologies
PACE Educational Programs blend multiple methodologies based on each student’s unique needs to craft an effective educational strategy:
- TEACCH® (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children): a structured educational approach based on the belief that children with Autism often require increased order to their day.
- SCERTS: Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support, a multidisciplinary model.
- DIR/Floortime (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based Model): addresses developmental disorders based on “affect” for communication. Provides techniques for building a child’s emotional reciprocity and engagement.
- PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System): uses images to reference and communicate actions.
- ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) principles: uses monitoring and positive reinforcement or prompting to teach each step of a behavior.
PACE implements a team approach to learning. The team can include:
- the parents/guardians
- the student
- an instructional aide
- a special education teacher
- behavior support personnel
- an occupational therapist
- a speech and language pathologists
School Curriculum
PACE employs an interdisciplinary approach that respects each individual’s motivation and desire to learn. The curriculum is taught in large groups, in small groups, and one-on-one and allows us to focus on each child’s needs as determined through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals and objectives.
Our program educates the whole person both in and beyond the classroom:
- Sensory strategies help each student make his or her way through the world
- Functional academics include language arts, math, science, social studies, personal health, and vocational training
- Employment and vocational skills are also emphasized
- Music, art, and physical education
- Community skills, or how a student interacts and understands the wider community, are developed with regular trips into the community in PACE-owned vans
- PACE is also an innovative leader in the use of technology and video to supplement a student’s program
Sample Schedule
- 9:15: Arrival
- 9:30: Walk/P.E.
- 9:45: Morning meeting
- 10:00: Goal work
- 10:30: Recess / Snack / Sensory
- 11:00: Therapy
- 11:30: Math Class/Language Arts
- 12:00: Lunch / Recess / Sensory
- 1:00: History/Science/Art
- 1:30: Therapy
- 2:15: Dismissal
Words seem inadequate to express our gratitude for the incredibly hard-working, talented, and caring staff at PACE. Thank you for all you have done to support our son and our family – from the time he became a student last fall, through shelter in place and distance learning, and now reopening to a small cohort. We are so grateful to you!
I wanted to thank you for the beautiful Graduation Ceremony at PACE. We all enjoyed it very much. The time flew by so fast. PACE has been a huge stepping stone for my son. You all have been so supportive and compassionate and I truly thank you for that. My son is so excited to start his new day program. He has met other clients there and has already paired up with his group leader. I think I’m more nervous about my son starting a new program but I know PACE has fully prepared him for this as well. Once again, thank you. Best wishes to you and PACE and keep doing what you all are doing at PACE for our children. God Bless you all.
Measurable Assessments
The PACE methodology is reinforced by assessments that focus on the functional development of an individual through all stages of life:
- Our behavioral assessments are data-driven and updated regularly to reflect current data.
- Functional analysis of behavior allows us to tailor each student’s behavioral program to meet the student’s specific behavioral needs.
PACE Speech and Language Therapy
The PACE School has a team of full-time speech-language pathologists who provide services to our students with communication disorders through a Total Communication Approach.
- Students learn multiple ways to initiate and respond to people, communicate their needs, and appropriately comment on their environment.
- Each student’s communication system is tailored to fit his or her unique needs.
- Some students communicate verbally, while others use picture exchange, sign language, voice output devices, or a combination of systems.
- Students’ receptive language skills, or how they understand language, are also emphasized and developed with visual supports and schedules.
- Students also practice pragmatic language, or how to use language socially, in a variety of contexts by learning expected behaviors in multiple social situations.
- Individual or group therapy is available in a variety of settings depending on the student’s needs.
- Training can be provided to families.
PACE Occupational Therapy
The PACE School has a team of full-time occupational therapists who provide individual, group, and consultative services.
Therapeutic goals address:
- gross and fine motor development
- visual motor integration
- visual-perceptual skills
- self-care skills
- independent living skills
- pre-vocational skills
Intervention may include:
- sensory integration strategies
- sensory diet application
- environmental modifications
- use of adaptive equipment
- Therapeutic Listening (Listening With the Whole Body)
PACE School Buildings
In January 2008, PACE opened its own privately owned facility designed around the special needs of the autism population in Santa Clara, CA. Creating the building from the ground up allowed special design elements such as natural lighting, precision climate control, hypoallergenic materials, and flexible therapy spaces—an energy-efficient and natural environment that is consistent with green initiatives and supports the sensory needs of PACE students. Now referred to as the PACE Pruneridge Campus, this facility serves elementary-age students.
In September 2023, PACE expanded its school program and opened its second campus in Sunnyvale, CA. Referred to as the PACE San Aleso Campus, the facility can accommodate up to ten classrooms and features an innovative Occupational Therapy gym, dedicated vocational training rooms, and indoor/outdoor space designed to fit the sensory needs of our students. The PACE San Aleso Campus currently serves upper-grade level students.
Placements and Tours
Thank you for your interest in the PACE School. All PACE School tours require a referral from your child’s school district. The PACE School is a nonprofit, non-public school that operates as an extension of your local school district. Enrollment and placement is by referral only and is a coordinated decision with your child’s school district. If your child is currently enrolled in a Bay Area public school, you can begin the process by talking with your district’s special education coordinator about an alternative placement. PACE does not offer drop-in tours.
Program Contacts
PACE School Pruneridge Campus
1880 Pruneridge Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
T: PACE School Phone Number
F: PACE School Fax Number
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Office Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm PT
PACE San Aleso Campus
824 San Aleso Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
T: PACE San Aleso Campus Phone Number
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Office Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm PT