Helix School Foundation

What Helix School Foundation does

The Helix School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) California nonprofit operating a Cognia-accredited Nonpublic School (NPS) in San Rafael, California, serving nearly 60 students ages 5-22 with autism spectrum disorder and related developmental challenges. Founded in 2014 by Marjorie McMorris — a parent of a child with ASD and former Goldman Sachs VP of Human Resources — the school delivers an integrated clinical-academic model in which educators and clinicians (speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, counselors, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts) work side-by-side within a sensory-informed, relationship-based environment. Core programming spans Early Elementary through a Transition Program (Learning Independence Together), with two high school tracks (Certificate of Completion and California Diploma) and a forthcoming Adult Academy opening Fall 2026.

The school's underlying methodology combines evidence-based frameworks — TEACCH, Pivotal Response Training, Wilson Reading System, TeachTown, MyPerspectives, IMPACT Modern World, Glencoe Algebra, Social Optics, and Peers — with a neurodiverse-affirming therapeutic stance and individualized curriculum design tailored to each student's sensory processing, emotional regulation, and developmental profile. Infrastructure includes a dedicated occupational therapy gym with suspended swings, crash pads, and sensory integration tools, supported by over 50 staff across classroom, clinical, operations, and leadership functions.

Revenue derives from three streams: (1) district-funded tuition flowing through IEP-referred placements as a certified NPS since 2017, (2) tax-deductible donations and an Annual Fund managed by the Director of Development, and (3) community event fundraising including the inaugural Paths to Possibility 5K (250+ participants), Move-A-Thon, Art Shows, and Giving Tuesday campaigns. Go-to-market is referral-driven via Bay Area public school districts, educational advocates, and the Helix Parent Association's community network, with no direct-to-family tuition billing.

Name

Helix School Foundation

Legal name

The Helix School

Website

https://thehelixschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Helix School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a Cognia-accredited Nonpublic School in San Rafael, California, serving nearly 60 students ages 5-22 with autism spectrum disorder through an integrated clinical-academic model, with a forthcoming Adult Academy launching Fall 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Services (Autism)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Special education services
• Autism education programs
• Clinical therapy integration
• Nonpublic school tuition
• Neurodiverse learning support

Headquarters

HQ city

Mill Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Service Fees (via School District Partnerships): As a certified Nonpublic School (NPS), Helix receives funding from public school districts that refer students. This is the primary revenue mechanism for serving students with IEPs.
2. Donations and Annual Fund: The school accepts tax-deductible donations through its 501(c)(3) status. The Development Director manages annual fund campaigns and major gift programs.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Community events such as the Paths to Possibility 5K, Move-A-Thon, Art Shows, and other fundraisers generate donations and support operational costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Helix School Foundation operates a 501(c)(3) nonpublic school that serves students ages 5–22 with autism spectrum disorder and related developmental challenges through individualized, relationship-based academic programs integrated with clinical services (speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and behavioral therapy). Offerings include Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School Diploma Track, High School Certificate of Completion Track, Transition Program, and the upcoming Helix Adult Academy (Fall 2026) for neurodivergent adults. Tuition is funded through public school district partnerships under NPS certification, supplemented by donations and event-based fundraising.

Product overview

The Helix School Foundation operates a non-public school serving neurodivergent children ages 5-22 with autism spectrum disorder, offering a unified educational model that integrates clinical services (speech, occupational, behavioral therapy, and counseling) with academic programming. The core product consists of grade-level programs (Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School tracks for diploma and certificate), a Transition Program for young adults, and the upcoming Helix Adult Academy (THAA) for adults beyond school services. Add-on modules include clinical services, extracurricular activities (Movement, Photography, Cooking, Archery, Art, Legos), the Speaker Series parent education program, and the Helix Parent Association community network. The organization uses a relationship-based, integrated clinical-academic model with educators and clinicians working side-by-side.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Elementary Program Academic and clinical program for youngest students (ages 5-8) using a co-teaching model with a lead teacher and integrated speech-language pathologist for half the school day. Shortened days from 9am to 2pm with focus on speech and language enrichment alongside core curriculum.
• Upper Elementary Program Elementary program using the Wilson reading system and TeachTown curriculum with a multi-modal learning environment addressing visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles for students with autism.
• Middle School Program Middle school program for ages 11-13 using adapted curricula including TeachTown, Wilson Reading Intervention, and EdMark, with hands-on learning and community outings for functional skill practice.
• High School Certificate of Completion Track High school program combining academics with functional life skills, creativity, community activities, social clubs, art, performance art, and field trips to practice life skills, including cooking in the Williams Sonoma Teaching Kitchen.
• High School Diploma Track High school diploma program using MyPerspectives for English, IMPACT Modern World for History, and Glencoe Algebra for Algebra 1, working toward a California Diploma.
• Transition Program Program focused on independence and adulthood preparation with internships, vocational coaching, functional life skills, and community relationship building under the motto Learning Independence Together (LIT).
• The Helix Adult Academy (THAA) Lifelong learning academy for neurodivergent adults opening Fall 2026 with 6 program tracks: Lifelong Learning, Workforce Readiness, Entrepreneurial Program, Leisure & Social, Visual Arts & Media Production, and Lifeskills House. Features 2:1 participant-to-staff ratio, max 7 class size, 5 days per week.
• Speech Therapy Services Comprehensive speech therapy addressing pragmatics, articulation, conversation skills, and emotional expression. Uses evidence-based programs including Social Optics and Peers with neurodiverse-affirming approach and AAC support.
• Occupational Therapy Services OT services focused on sensory needs, regulation, fine/gross motor skills, visuoperceptual skills, executive functioning, self-help, and independent work skills. Features an OT gym with suspended swings, crash pads, scooter boards, and tunnels.
• Counseling Services Personalized counseling sessions helping students identify and manage emotions, recognize emotions within their bodies, and develop coping strategies for emotional regulation.
• Behavioral Therapy Services Behavioral services enhanced by weekly Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) consultations, with behavioral specialists tailoring interventions for positive behaviors and self-regulation skills.
• Extracurricular Activities After-school activities including Movement, Photography, Cooking, Archery, Art, and Legos classes (6-week sessions), plus Holiday Break Camps, Dances (Holiday Dance, Spring Fling, Prom), and Overnights (Helix Sleepover, Walker Creek Ranch).
• Speaker Series Monthly virtual parent and caregiver education series featuring expert speakers providing information, research, and tools to support child growth and development in autism education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 60 students served from across the Bay Area with continued growth
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Public School Districts (Bay Area)coreOthers · 1 January 2017In 2017, Helix became a certified Nonpublic School (NPS), enabling formal partnerships with public school districts. Districts refer students with IEPs to Helix, and funding flows from districts to cover educational services. This partnership model allows Helix to serve students from across the Bay Area.
• The Helix Adult AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Helix Adult Academy is a fiscally sponsored project of The Helix School, launched by Founder Marjorie McMorris to extend individualized, strength-based educational approaches beyond age 22. Both institutions share the same mission and model, with the Adult Academy opening Fall 2026 at a separate location.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Beacon Day School: Bay Area (Oakland) nonpublic school serving students with autism and related developmental disabilities, NPS-certified and funded through district IEP placements — directly comparable operating model, geography, and customer base to Helix.
• Children's Health Council (CHC): Palo Alto-based nonprofit integrating clinical services (speech, OT, behavioral) with educational programs for children with autism and ADHD — directly comparable integrated clinical-academic model in the same Bay Area region.
• Catalight (formerly Easterseals Northern California): Large Bay Area nonprofit delivering autism services including nonpublic school and clinical programming under district contracts — directly comparable NPS autism service delivery footprint serving the same districts Helix relies on.
• The McCarton School: New York City-based private special education school serving children with autism using integrated clinical-educational approaches — closely comparable model, mission, and integrated clinical staffing philosophy.
• Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC): Phoenix-based nonprofit combining an autism school with clinical, transition, and adult-program services — a close functional analog to Helix including lifespan-focused programming akin to THAA.
• Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD): National provider of ABA and autism clinical services with school-aligned programs and transition programming — directly comparable integrated clinical offering and customer base of families with autism.
• Stephen's Place: Oregon-based residential and day program for neurodivergent adults focused on independence and workforce readiness — a relevant benchmark for the Helix Adult Academy's adult-program expansion.

Broad incumbents

• Newport Academy: Multi-site residential and outpatient treatment provider serving adolescents and young adults with mental health and developmental needs — broader incumbent with adjacent clinical-education operating model in autism-adjacent populations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLv1qk1vk5VTYC93BWhR9Epzou6e2IgBTF
• Xx.com/TheHelixSchool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-helix-school

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Helix School Foundation