Individualized Education for Students with Complex Learning and Behavioral Needs

LEARN Academy Redwood City is a state-certified nonpublic school serving students from pre-K through age 22 who benefit from individualized academic, behavioral, communication, and clinical support in a structured, collaborative learning environment.

Formerly known as the Creative Learning Center, LEARN Academy Redwood City partners with families and school districts across the Bay Area to help every student build meaningful skills, make measurable progress, and reach their fullest potential.

Our team works closely with districts, families, and related service providers to support each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Our team of professionals tailor programs through the development, implementation, and ongoing progress monitoring to ensure success.

Our purpose is clear: help every student access learning, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.

Design Element Shape

Integrated Educational and Clinical Support

Students benefit when the professionals supporting them work as one team.

At LEARN Academy Redwood City, educators and clinical professionals coordinate their work throughout the school day so that instruction, communication, therapy, and behavioral support reinforce one another.

Our multidisciplinary team includes:

  • Credentialed Teachers & Instructional Staff
  • Board Certified Behavior Analysts
  • Registered Behavior Technicians
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Mental Health Professionals
  • Paraprofessionals & Student Support Staff

This coordinated model helps students receive consistent support in the environments where learning, communication, and social interaction occur every day.

Redwood City, CA

Our School

      Design Element Shape

      Partnering With Families and Districts

      Strong student outcomes begin with strong partnership.

      We work closely with families, advocates, school districts, SELPAs, and related-service providers to understand each student’s needs, establish shared goals, and maintain clear communication throughout the educational journey.

      From initial referral through enrollment, ongoing progress review, and transition planning, LEARN Academy is committed to being a trusted partner focused on what matters most: helping students make progress that is meaningful, measurable, and lasting.

      Our Team

      Tamila Sayar
      VP of Behavior Programs

      Tamila Sayar

      VP of Behavior Programs

      “Our approach as educators and behaviorists can strongly influence a student’s experience and ability to learn. It is our responsibility to adapt to all students’ learning styles to ensure success.”

       

      Tamila Sayar, founder of the LEARN Academy Redwood City (formerly Creative Learning Center), has deep roots in education. As a child, her family moved to Iran, where her mom taught in multi-grade classrooms. Tamila learned the language. During the revolution, when American international schools were closed, Tamila participated in private lessons and one-on-one teaching sessions that her mother ran.

      In the late 1970s, the family moved to the Bay Area, where Tamila often volunteered in schools and supported students who needed extra help. She studied at California Polytechnic State University and San Francisco State University, and she worked as a classroom aide for students with disabilities. This experience sparked her interest in teaching and individualized learning.

      After finishing her degree, Tamila moved to Boston, where she worked as a middle school assistant guidance counselor and art teacher. She discovered the importance of personalized positive behavior programs for student success.

      When she returned to California, Tamila taught while completing her special education credential. In 1999, she started the Creative Learning Center as an applied behavior analysis (ABA) and independent learning program. She assisted districts in setting up classrooms and training teachers for individualized programs.

      In 2001, Tamila opened a preschool, Children’s Learning Cottage, which focused on inclusion, positive behavior management, and individualized learning. In 2004, she opened another preschool, Foothill Preschool, in Los Altos Hills. In 2016, she started a similar preschool in Colorado. Creative Learning Center grew, employing more than 100 people. Because of its success, the center expanded to include a program for grades K-6. The Creative Learning Center was acquired by LEARN in 2022.

      Tamila is the Vice President of Behavior Programs in Northern California and is passionate about education. She lives in California with her son and two university-aged daughters.

      Heather Trujillo, M. Ed.
      Site Administrator

      Heather Trujillo, M. Ed.

      Site Administrator

      “Helping students grow and succeed is the most rewarding part of my work.” 

      Heather Trujillo is the site administrator at LEARN Academy in Redwood City. Her passion for education began early in her career, working in early childhood education. She earned a master’s degree in special education and gained valuable experience as a paraeducator and parent liaison supporting students with special needs.

      Since joining LEARN Academy (formerly Creative Learning Center) in 2016, Heather has held several administrative roles, gradually advancing to her current leadership position. She is dedicated to fostering an environment where students and staff can thrive and have a high-quality educational experience. Outside of her professional life, Heather enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and sons.