The following Special Education programs are available within Vista Unified School District:

Resource Specialist Program (RSP) for children requiring 49% or less special education support in order to successfully access the educational curriculum.  Primary areas of remediation are: math, reading and written language. 

Special Day Class (SDC) for children requiring 50% or more special education support in the classroom.  The district offers Learning Handicapped (LH) SDC for students with less severe disabilities: Severe Handicapped (SH) SDC for students with more severe disabilities; Emotionally Disturbed (ED) SDC for students with behavioral or emotional disabilities that impact education; Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) SDC for students with severe hearing loss is offered through the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and is located in Carlsbad.

Designated Instructional Services offered through the district and can be accessed at each school site:
Speech and Language therapy
Occupational therapy
Adaptive physical education
Counseling

Prior to special educational referral, all interventions must be implemented within the general education classroom.  Special education is only considered after all general education interventions have failed to help the student succeed within educationally.

An extended school year (ESY) program is available during off track times.  Only SDC students are invited to attend based on educational need.  All ESY classes are organized by the District Special Education department.