Visit And Apply

Planning a visit and application?

A visit to Exceptional Minds is the first step in deciding to attend!

Sign Up For a Tour

See our classrooms and learn more about what our programs provide. Tours include an opportunity to ask questions and receive advice on which of our programs might best match your educational goals.

Tours are held virtually or in person at our campus in Sherman Oaks, California. All times listed are Pacific Time. Tour dates and times may vary and are updated regularly on the registration form. Please make sure to check the form for any new updates. Please note that the attending student should be present on the tour.

If you have scheduled a tour and need to cancel or reschedule, or simply have any questions, please email us at info@exceptional-minds.org. You must complete the tour before submitting the online application.

Review the Admissions Criteria and Assessment Process

Full-Time Admissions

Admissions Criteria

Formal Diagnosis of Autism: Application requires submission of a letter of diagnosis and/or a recent IEP (Individualized Education Plan) stating diagnosis.
Minimum educational level: Evidence of high school diploma or G.E.D.
Independence: Applicants should demonstrate reasonable independence with transportation, hygiene, scheduling and punctuality, work completion, safety, money etc.
Computer Fluency Skills: Applicants should demonstrate basic working knowledge of saving and naming files, Internet navigation and e-mails, and typing skills, etc.
Executive Function: Applicants should demonstrate reasonable ability with independent planning, decision-making, time management, organization, etc.
Ability to Follow Multi-step Directions: The ability to follow directions presented both orally and in writing.
Flexibility: The ability to receive and incorporate feedback, change direction with little notice, use multiple modes of design to create a project, ability to try novel programs and methods, and the ability to work on non-preferred tasks.
Artistic Ability: A portfolio is required for the Full- Time admissions assessment and can include electronic (website or flash-drive) or paperwork samples. Portfolio should show the ability to create figurative and abstract drawing, design and composition skills, creative ideas, etc.
Basic Work-Related Social Skills: Listening, promptness, appropriate hygiene and dress, greetings and salutations, appropriate volume and tone, ability to work and learn in a group, and showing interest in coworkers, etc.
Motivation: Taking pride in quality work, meeting deadlines, performing at or above the level of peers, able to work for periods without prompting or praise, etc.

Please note: Exceptional Minds cannot accommodate students who:

Require an aide
Frequently engage in disruptive behavior
Are oppositional or defiant
Are not vocally verbal and/or require some kind of facilitated communication
Are not familiar with or fluent with computer skills
Are not interested in computers, VFX, game design and/or animation

Assessment Process

In order to select the candidates for our program, Exceptional Minds has established an Admissions Assessment process. Prospective applicants are required to take a tour in order to determine their level of interest in our program before submitting an application. After an application is submitted, Exceptional Minds conducts a review of student records, surveys parents and professionals who have worked directly with the individual, and schedules a one-hour admissions assessment of the potential candidate.

Full-Time applications can be submitted throughout the year.
Admissions assessments are generally scheduled between January and April for admittance to the program which begins each September.
The one-hour assessment includes: a formal interview, portfolio review, computer fluency demonstration, and Q & A.
Assessment fee is a one-time $350; reapplying students will not pay for the assessment again.

Part-Time Admissions

Assessment Process

Once a prospective student’s application is reviewed and accepted, the student will be able to enroll for Workshops and lessons in the Part-Time Programs.

Exceptional Minds offers education for students who:
- Are 14yrs and older (classes divided by age and skill)
- Learn effectively in a workshop/classroom setting
- Follow multi-step directions and work independently for a minimum of 15 minutes at a time
- Verbally ask appropriate questions (i.e. for help, clarification)
- Have an interest in computers, VFX, game design, and /or animation
- Have fluency in basic computer skills

Additionally:

Formal Diagnosis of Autism: Application requires submission of a letter of diagnosis and/or a recent IEP (Individualized Education Plan) stating diagnosis.
Independence: Applicants should demonstrate reasonable independence with transportation, hygiene, scheduling and punctuality, work completion, safety, money etc.
Computer Fluency Skills: Applicants should demonstrate basic working knowledge of saving and naming files, Internet navigation and e-mails, and typing skills, etc.
Executive Function: Applicants should demonstrate reasonable ability with independent planning, decision-making, time management, organization, etc.
Ability to Follow Multi-step Directions: The ability to follow directions presented both orally and in writing.
Flexibility: The ability to receive and incorporate feedback, change direction with little notice, use multiple modes of design to create a project, ability to try novel programs and methods, and the ability to work on non-preferred tasks.
Basic Work-Related Social Skills: Listening, promptness, appropriate hygiene and dress, greetings and salutations, appropriate volume and tone, ability to work and learn in a group, and showing interest in coworkers, etc.
Motivation: Taking pride in quality work, meeting deadlines, performing at or above the level of peers, able to work for periods without prompting or praise, etc.

Please note: Exceptional Minds cannot accommodate students who:

Require an aide
Frequently engage in disruptive behavior
Are oppositional or defiant
Are not vocally verbal and/or require some kind of facilitated communication
Are not familiar with or fluent with computer skills
Are not interested in computers, VFX, game design and/or animation

Submit Application

Once you have completed a tour and reviewed our admissions criteria, you are invited to submit an application for our part-time or full-time programs. We will review and respond to you within one week. A one-time, $65 application fee and a dianogsis of autism is required to submit your application. Please contact us at info@exceptional-minds.org for any questions regarding your application.

Returning Students

We Want To Hear From You

If you have already taken classes or workshops with us and are interested in applying for our full-time program.

Learn more about our Tuition Assistance program

Exceptional Minds provides needs-based tuition assistance on a case by case basis.

We also accept Self Determination Program funding. For more information on the California Department of Developmental Services Regional Center Self Determination Program, please click here.