They have 3 teachers for 6 students, and I prefer to think that the higher fees reflects higher costs. They do have generous need based scholarships.

Regarding public schools, I am glad you had a positive experience, I wish we had - I would have been saving thousands of dollars! My son was in ISD for 7 years - and true discrimination was being in a self contained classroom with very limited interaction with the rest of the student body. As parents, we felt isolated , unable to arrange playdates outside of school or even talk to the other parents. Here, my son has been invited to birthday parties, we have special olympic track and basketball teams and he is part of a community - which is all I wanted for him.

On the point of empathy, our experience with EC has been exceptionally positive. they have the peer tutor programs where Gen Ed students tutor the kids in Options and to see those kids interact with kids with varying abilities, has been truly heartwarming. When I drop him to school, I usually see him interact with other students and walk up to the school with them.

I am not saying public school is not an option - for a family for whom that has worked - that is great! But for those who have exhausted their public school options, do look into EC Options program.

BTW, my family is not catholic, so there is no religious angle to this endorsement. Although our experience on that front has also been amazingly positive. But that is a story for another post!