The ACES - The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students

💙 Learning extends beyond the classroom at Austin Centers!

This week, our Gilbert students had the opportunity to head downtown and partner with our incredible Human Resources team as they prepared for the upcoming school year.

Working side by side with our HR staff, students gained valuable workplace experience while building skills in teamwork, communication, organization, and responsibility. It was a meaningful opportunity to practice real-world job skills in an authentic work environment.

One of the things that makes Austin Centers so special is that every department plays a role in supporting our students' success. Whether someone works in the classroom, Human Resources, Operations, or Administration, we're all united by one goal: helping our students grow, build confidence, and prepare for their futures.

A huge thank you to our amazing HR team for welcoming our students and helping create another unforgettable learning experience! 💚🩵

🍎 NOW HIRING: SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS! 🍎

Looking for more than just a job? Join a team that's changing lives every single day.
At Austin Centers for Exceptional Students, you'll make a lasting impact while being supported by a team that is passionate about helping students reach their full potential.

✨ What we offer:
💰 $3,000 Sign-On Bonus
🛍️ $1,000 Teacher Classroom Budget
❤️ Meaningful work that changes lives
📚 Ongoing support, collaboration, and professional growth

If you're ready to inspire, empower, and make a difference, we'd love to meet you!
Apply today and become part of something extraordinary. Apply using this link 👇

https://austincenters.com/join-our-team/

The ACES - The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students The ACES (The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students) is a group of therapeutic, state certified special education schools in Arizona.

🎉 Check it out! We are excited to share that Austin Centers for Exceptional Students has been featured in Business Wire!

Austin Centers for Exceptional Students Named 2026 School of Excellence by the National Association of Special Education Teachers

This award marks our ninth consecutive year being recognized for excellence in education programming, support services, and student outcomes. We are incredibly proud of our dedicated staff, amazing students, and supportive families who make this achievement possible every day.

Thank you to everyone who helps make The ACES a place where students can learn, grow, and thrive. Here's to another year of making a difference!

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260622005446/en/Austin-Centers-for-Exceptional-Students-Named-2026-School-of-Excellence-by-the-National-Association-of-Special-Education-Teachers

We hope everyone had a wonderful, fun, and safe Fourth of July as we celebrated our nation's 250th birthday! 🎆🎇

Now the countdown is on! We are getting excited for the start of a brand new school year. Our campuses just are not the same without the energy, laughter, and smiling faces of our amazing students. 😊🍎 We cannot wait to welcome everyone back for another year of learning, growth, friendships, and unforgettable memories.

See you all soon!

Congratulations to Ms. Idalis, our Westminster Campus recipient of the prestigious Francie Austin of the Year Award! Presented annually across all six Austin Centers campuses, this award recognizes an individual who exemplifies extraordinary dedication, compassion, and commitment to student success. This year, Ms. Idalis was a clear choice.

As our Supervising Speech-Language Pathologist, Ms. Idalis's impact extends far beyond her job description. She consistently goes above and beyond to support students by leading group sessions, collaborating with staff and families, and finding creative ways to help every student reach their full potential. No matter the challenge, she always puts the needs and success of students first.

Her passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment make a lasting difference in the lives of the students she serves each day. Whether she is supporting communication goals, building confidence, or helping students overcome obstacles, Ms. Idalis approaches every interaction with care, expertise, and dedication.

We are incredibly grateful for all that she does and proud to recognize her as this year's Francie Austin of the Year Award recipient for Westminster.

Congratulations, Ms. Idalis, and thank you for being such an inspiring advocate for our students! 💙🎉

Summer learning is in full swing at Austin Centers during our Extended School Year (ESY) program!

Across our campuses, students are taking their learning beyond the classroom and into the community. Pictured here are students from our Paradise Valley campus exploring and discovering at the Arizona Science Center.

ESY provides students with continued support during the summer months, helping them maintain important academic, social, behavioral, and life skills while building momentum for the upcoming school year. Through hands on experiences, community-based learning, and engaging activities, our students continue to grow, learn, and succeed all summer long.

At Austin Centers, we believe learning doesn't stop when school lets out. Every experience is an opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills, and create lasting memories.

We are proud of our students for making the most of their summer and turning every adventure into a learning opportunity! ☀️🔬📚

🎉 Happy Retirement, Le! 🎉

Today, we celebrate an extraordinary woman and an incredible career dedicated to serving children, families, and educators throughout Arizona.

After more than 40 years as a School Psychologist in the Osborne Elementary School District, Cave Creek Unified School District, Washington Elementary School District, Scottsdale Unified School District, and Mesa Unified School District, Le Knight has made an immeasurable impact on the field of education. In addition to her work in schools, she served as Past President of the Arizona Association of School Psychologists, trained and modeled the Responsible Thinking Process for numerous school districts, and earned recognition and awards for her expertise in implementing Response to Intervention programs across the state of Arizona.

We have been incredibly fortunate that Le chose to finish her remarkable career with The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students.

During her time with Austin Centers, Le became a trusted mentor, advocate, and friend to so many. She warmly welcomed families during school tours, helping parents navigate difficult decisions and providing reassurance that their children would be supported and loved. She played an essential role in ensuring IEP compliance and guiding our teams in providing the highest quality services to our students. Through her trainings and mentorship, she shared decades of knowledge and wisdom, helping shape and inspire countless staff members across our organization.

Most importantly, Le's heart has always been with the students she served. She believed in every child, celebrated their successes, and worked tirelessly to ensure they had the support and opportunities they deserved. Her compassion, dedication, and commitment to making a difference have left a lasting legacy that will continue to impact Austin Centers for years to come.

Le, thank you for the countless lives you have touched, the wisdom you have shared, and the love and care you have given to our students, families, and staff. We wish you endless joy, relaxation, and many wonderful adventures in this next chapter of your life.

Congratulations on an incredible career and a well-deserved retirement. You will always be a cherished part of the Austin Centers family. 💙💛

🎓 Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓

As we closed out the 2025–2026 school year at the end of May, we had the honor of celebrating our graduating students and all they have accomplished to reach this important milestone.

This school year was filled with growth, perseverance, learning, and achievement. Our students worked incredibly hard both inside and outside of the classroom, overcoming challenges, building confidence, developing new skills, and reaching goals that once seemed out of reach. We witnessed countless examples of determination, resilience, and personal growth throughout the year.

Graduation is more than a ceremony. It is the result of years of hard work, dedication, and the courage to keep moving forward. We are so proud of our graduates and the progress they have made. Their success reflects not only their efforts, but also the support of their families and the commitment of the staff members who have encouraged them every step of the way.

As we reflect on a wonderful 2025–2026 school year, we are grateful for the memories, accomplishments, and relationships that made this year so special. From academic achievements to personal victories, our students gave us so many reasons to celebrate.

🌟 Congratulations, Class of 2026! We are incredibly proud of you and excited to see where your next chapter takes you. Your future is bright, and we cannot wait to see all that you accomplish.

CHECK IT OUT!!! 🎉

We are proud to announce that our school has once again been recognized by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) as a 2026 School of Excellence, an honor we have proudly held every year since 2017!

This prestigious award is the highest recognition a private special education school can receive through NASET and reflects our continued commitment to providing exceptional support, services, and opportunities for students with disabilities.

This achievement is a direct reflection of our incredible staff, students, and families who make excellence possible every single day. Thank you for being part of our journey and helping us continue this tradition of excellence! 💙💛

- School of Excellence Exceptional Charter School NASET 2026 School Awards Each year, NASET recognizes private special education schools and charter schools that have demonstrated exceptional dedication, commitment, and achievement in the field of special education. The recognition represents the high...

Our students at the Peoria campus had a wonderful time enjoying the outdoors while wrapping up state testing. Taking brain breaks during state testing was an important part of helping students reset, recharge, and reduce stress during a demanding time. Stepping away from the classroom for fun activities helped improve focus, boost motivation, and allowed students to return to testing feeling refreshed and ready to do their best. It also supported emotional wellness by reminding students that balance matters.

Our outdoor brain break was filled with teamwork, laughter, and hands on fun. Students made yummy snacks, played BINGO, participated in egg spoon races, sack races, a water balloon toss, and tic tac toe. They also got creative making dirt cups and crafts. These activities encouraged collaboration, communication, problem solving, and positive peer interactions, all while building memories and celebrating their hard work. We are so proud of our Peoria students for staying focused during testing and embracing the importance of learning, teamwork, and fun along the way. ☀️🌳🎉