Looking for the right middle (and high) school for my family, on the Peninsula (San Jose: middle school)

[beccatree]

We currently live in San Jose, but are looking to relocate up the Peninsula to be closer to a new work opportunity. However, the hardest part is figuring out which schools might work best for my middle schooler. She has some learning issues - nothing that has ever qualified her for special ed in our district, though. She does need a bit more individual attention and support, and in her current elementary school I often feel like I have to teach her at home, since she didn't pick up on the lesson in the classroom. I don't want her to feel like a failure, and I'm afraid the schools north of us may be extremely competitive and intimidating...and may not offer the support she needs.

I would like to move to an area where the public school is at least an option. Of course I know that any public schools will have big classes...I am just wondering if there are any that might at least support her better than others, and this includes not crushing her spirit.

Right now she is set to start at a small private school in San Jose next year. It seems like the perfect solution, except that the commute for my husband would be intolerable. I have so far not found any similar choices further north. It seems like everything up there is either highly competitive (need to pass a test to get in, etc) or specifically for special needs kids. She is somewhere in the middle. So I'm looking for suggestions both for Public and Private options.

Thanks in advance!