Academics
ARIZONA AUTISM CHARTER SCHOOLS (AZACS)
OFFERING THREE DISTINCT SCHOOLS TO MEET STUDENT NEEDS
AZACS Elementary School
Our elementary school is located at 4433 N. 7th St. Phoenix, AZ 85014. This is our original school, offering grades K-4 and teaching strategies grounded in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. This school offers small class sizes, with 8-10 student per classroom and groups students based on abilities and needs. The student to staff ratio is an average of 2.5 to 1. While programming is tailored to meet a student’s specific needs, there are three types of classrooms tailored to serve different levels of students on the autism spectrum. The school offers an Academic Program, for students working at or near grade level, a Modified Academic Program, for students needing modifications to the general curriculum and a Functional Academic Program, for students with intensive needs. Students receive academic instruction in their regular classroom by a lead certified teacher. Classrooms are supported by behavior specialists, speech and occupational therapists. Our elementary program also offers specials such as computer lab, music therapy and physical education.
For more information about AZACS Elementary School, contact Elementary School Director Matt Drowne at MDrowne@autismmarter.org.
AZACS Middle School
Our Middle School is located at the Upper School Campus, located at 1445 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85014. The middle school program is unique in that it offers special education students the opportunity to rotate to different teachers for each subject area. To serve students with diverse learning needs, there are three types of programs offered; the Academic Program, for students working at or near grade level, the Modified Academic Program, for students needing modifications to the general education curriculum and the Functional Academic Program for students with intensive needs. Students in the Academic and Modified Academic Program have a block schedule and rotate to classes in English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Life Skills, Resource and Fine Arts. Specials include Music and Computer Lab. Students in the Functional Academic Program rotate to English/Language Arts, Math/Life Skills, Science, and Hygiene and Wellness. Specials include Music and Fine Arts. All programs are supported by speech therapists, occupational therapists and behavior specialists.
For more information about AZACS Middle School, contact Upper School Director, Megan Vincent at MVincent@autismcharter.org.
AZACS High School
AZACS is proud to announce it was approved to expand to High School in the fall of 2017. This school year, 2018-19, the school is “incubating” its High School out of the Upper School Campus, where it is currently offering 9th grade. The AZACS High School will expand by one grade level each year, until it reaches 12th grade in 2022. At the high school level, AZACS will continue to offer the Academic, Modified Academic and Functional Academic Programs, and offer courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Fine Arts. Students will rotate to subject area teachers and receive instruction to receive high school credit in all courses. A very important element of the High School is the Life Skills program, which will focus on students’ transition plans, getting them college and career ready or prepare them for vocational training opportunities. AZACS will offer life skills courses through the Learn4Independence curriculum, licensed by the First Place Transition Academy. Over the next few years, AZACS will work to secure a third site to house its High School.
For more information about AZACS High School, contact High School Leadership & Capacity Building Strategist, Lisa Long at LLong@autismcharter.org.