High Schools
Best Buddies High Schools pairs people with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with high school students. Without friends and family, we are alone. In the past, individuals with intellectual disabilities have not had the opportunity to have friends outside of their own special education classroom. By becoming a High School Peer Buddy, volunteers offer a Buddy the chance to explore a new way of life and feel included in the high school environment.

By introducing Best Buddies into public and private high schools, we are crossing the invisible line that too often separates those with disabilities from those without.

The mission of Best Buddies High Schools is to provide an opportunity for high school students to be matched in a one-to-one friendship with individuals who have intellectual disabilities. Social experiences and relationships are a part of life; unfortunately, individuals with intellectual disabilities have historically been excluded from many of the social opportunities that most people enjoy. By becoming a high school peer buddy, you will not only befriend someone with an intellectual disability, but you will also learn about yourself in the process.

High School chapters are active in over 550 schools worldwide. Each chapter is a registered student organization within their school and is led by a chapter president. The Chapter President is a student that is matched in a friendship and is willing to organize, lead and maintain a chartered chapter of Best Buddies for the duration of one academic year.

For more information or if you are interested in starting a Best Buddies California Chapter at your high school, contact Jeremiah White, Deputy Director of Programs at 310-642-2620.

Downloadable forms:

Membership Application
Officer Application
Teacher Reference Form
Matching Survey
Friendship Update Form
Leadership Conference Registration and Medical Release Form

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California High Schools Programs (132 chapters)

Acalanes HS
Alameda HS
Albany HS
Alta Loma HS
Archer School for Girls
Arlington HS
Arroyo Valley HS
Azusa HS
Benicia HS
Berkeley HS
Beverly Hills HS
Birmingham HS
Bloomington HS
Bonita Vista HS
Branham HS
Brea-Olinda HS
Brentwood HS
Cajon HS
Canyon Springs HS
Carlsbad HS
Carson HS
Casa Grande HS
Castle Park HS
Chaffey HS
Chaparral HS
Compton HS
Corona del Mar HS
Culver City HS
Cupertino HS
Cypress HS
Dana Hills HS
David Starr Jordan HS
Diamond Bar HS
Diamond Ranch HS
Eagle Rock HS
Eastlake HS
Edison HS
El Toro HS
Escondido HS
Esperanza HS
Fairfax HS
Foothill HS
Fremont HS
Granada Hills HS
Grossmont HS
Gunderson HS
Hillsdale HS
Hilltop HS
Jesse Bethel HS
John A. Rowland HS
John Burroughs HS
John F. Kennedy HS
John Muir HS
John W. North HS
Jurupa Valley HS
La Costa Canyon HS
Laguna Hills HS
Lakewood HS
Leuzinger HS
Liberty HS
Loara HS
Long Beach Polytechnic HS
Los Alamitos HS
Lowell HS
Magnolia HS
Malibu HS
Mar Vista HS
Menlo Atherton HS
Millikan HS
Mills HS
Miramonte HS
Mission Hills HS
Montgomery HS
Mountain View HS
Mount Carmel HS
Napa HS
Narbonne HS
Nogales HS
Norco HS
Norte Vista HS
Northgate HS
North Torrance HS
Olympian HS
Orange Glen HS
Otay Ranch HS
Palisades Charter HS
Palm Desert HS
Palo Alto HS
Palos Verdes Peninsula HS
Phineas Banning HS
Pioneer HS
Pomona HS
Poway HS
Rancho Bernado HS
Rancho Buena Vista HS
Redondo Union HS
San Clemente HS
San Diego HS
San Dimas HS
San Ysidro HS
Santa Teresa HS
Santana HS
Santiago HS
South Gate HS
South Torrance HS
Terra Linda HS
Terra Nova HS
Tesoro HS
Torrey Pines HS
Troy HS
University HS, Irvine
University HS, Los Angeles
University City HS, San Diego
Vacaville HS
Valhalla HS
Valley View HS
Vanden HS
Venice HS
Villa Park HS
Vintage HS
Vista HS
Walnut HS
West Covina HS
West Hills HS
West Torrance HS
Westmoor HS
Westview HS
Wilcox HS
Will C. Wood HS
Woodrow Wilson Classical HS
Woodrow Wilson HS
Yucaipa HS