About

“School is a home away from home”

Orange County Register

June 3, 2010

"Sonrisa School caters to students with Autism, Down’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyslexia, auditory processing problems and expressive and receptive language delays."

Orange County Register

Our History and Approach

Founded in 2000, Sonrisa School is a small independent school serving Orange County, CA. At Sonrisa, we use a rich, multi-disciplinary approach to education. Our curriculum is designed to enrich child’s emotional, intellectual, and social aptitude. We provide instruction through child’s specific learning modality (linguistic, visual, spatial, kinesthetic, mathematical, interpersonal, and intra-personal). We utilize tried and tested reading programs.

We administer tests in stress-free environment and give timed tests, only when the child is ready. Our staff is qualified, experienced, and caring.

Sonrisa, in Spanish, means Smile. :-)

Our Mission

  • Instill confidence in children to reach their fullest potential.
  • Boost children’s self-esteem and social skills.
  • Provide positive and joyful learning experience.
  • Make it possible for children to pursue extracurricular activities such as art and sports.
  • Facilitate dynamic parent involvement in academic as well as non-academic activities.
  • Form a proactive partnership of parents and teachers.

Our Philosophy

Structure

Structure is key to a child’s success

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem and self-confidence enable children to reach their fullest potential.

Learning

Learning should be a positive and joyful experience.

Curriculum

Sonrisa School adheres to California State Board of Education standards. In addition, the school applies following programs:

  • Reading
  • Lindamood Phonemic Sequencing (LiPS™)
  • Project READ®
  • Earobics®
  • Visual Auditory Sensory Techniques (VAST)
  • One-on-one Reading

Extra-curricular Activities

  • Physical Education
  • Spanish
  • Art
  • Music
  • Drama
  • Cooking & Baking

Field Trips

  • Art Museum
  • Science Fairs
  • Performing Arts Theater

Application K-12

Sonrisa School offers year-round enrollment including summer school program for grades K-12. Please contact the school director for application form.

Admission

Sonrisa School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religious belief, sexual orientation, national origin, political persuasion, disability, or physical appearance. However, as a small school, we do recognize certain limitations when considering students for enrollment and we reserve the right to determine when Sonrisa is not the optimal placement for a child.

Professional Affiliations

Associations

  • Learning Disabilities Association of California – LDA-CA
  • Orange County Learning Disabilities Association – OC-LDA
  • Team of Advocates for Special Kids – TASK-CA

Service Providers

  • Occupational Therapist

  • Speech and Language Therapist
  • Psychologist

  • Individualized Education Program (IEP) Advisor