The ACES - The Austin Centers for Exceptional 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. ☀️🌳🎉

As our school year comes to a close, we are proud to celebrate the incredible staff members who make a lasting impact on our students and school community at our Paradise Valley Campus.

Please help us congratulate Ms. Ruby, our Teacher of the Year, and Ms. Melissa, our Staff of the Year.

Our Principal, Mr. Min, shared that Ms. Ruby’s reliability, flexibility, and caring nature have made a tremendous impact in the classroom. Stepping into a teaching role on short notice, she has created a safe, welcoming, and positive learning environment where students feel supported and ready to learn each day. Her dedication to both her students and her own professional growth makes her truly deserving of this recognition.

Mr. Min also highlighted Ms. Melissa’s incredible dedication and professionalism in the front office. For the past three years, she has been a dependable and essential part of our campus, always stepping up to support staff, students, and families with grace and excellence.

Congratulations to both Ms. Ruby and Ms. Melissa. We are so grateful for your hard work, commitment, and the difference you make every single day. 🎉💙

This week our amazing Tempe Campus proudly celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week 💚🎗️ by shining a light on an important message for all of our students and staff: You are enough.

Throughout the week, our campus was filled with meaningful conversations, engaging activities, and powerful reminders focused on self worth, resilience, and emotional wellness. Our beautiful displays served as daily encouragement, reminding everyone who walked our halls that their voice matters, their feelings matter, and their presence makes a difference. These visual messages helped create a space where students felt seen, valued, and supported while reinforcing the importance of self-acceptance and believing in their own worth.

On Wednesday, our staff proudly wore green 💚 to show our support for Mental Health Awareness and to stand united in our commitment to student wellness. At Tempe, we know that supporting mental health is not just a one week event, it is part of who we are every day. Our students and their emotional wellbeing remain a top priority, and we are committed to creating a safe, compassionate, and empowering environment where every student can grow, heal, and thrive.

Because at The Austin Centers, we believe every student deserves to know one simple truth: You are enough. 💚🎗️

🎭✨ Our Peoria campus absolutely brought the magic to the stage with an incredible production of Wicked!

Our students delivered a truly wonderful and unforgettable performance, showcasing not only their talent, but also their hard work, dedication, and confidence. From the acting and vocals to the choreography and stage presence, every performer gave it their all and left the audience amazed.

The talent within our student community is unmatched and this production was a powerful reminder of just how capable, creative, and inspiring our students are. Opportunities like this allow them to shine in ways beyond the classroom while building confidence, teamwork, and lifelong memories along the way.
We could not be more proud of our incredible performers, staff, and everyone who helped bring this magical production to life.

Bravo, Peoria. What a wickedly amazing show! 💚🖤👏

💐 Mother’s Day may have been on Sunday, but the celebration started early at our Phoenix West Campus!

Last Friday, our students were busy creating thoughtful, creative, and heartfelt gifts for the amazing moms and mother figures in their lives. From handmade surprises to personalized treasures, every project was made with lots of love, creativity, and care (with maybe a little glitter too ✨).

We love seeing our students express themselves while celebrating the incredible women who mean so much to them. Happy belated Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms out there. We hope your day was as special as you are! 💙

Friday – H
H is for Heart 💙

At the center of it all is heart. The care, compassion, and genuine connection our teachers bring into their classrooms each and every day is what makes the biggest difference. Beyond lesson plans and academics, it is the kindness, patience, encouragement, and belief they pour into their students that creates meaningful and lasting change.

We deeply appreciate the emotional investment you make every single day. The relationships you build, the trust you earn, and the safe, supportive spaces you create allow our students to feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow. Your work goes far beyond teaching content. You help build confidence, resilience, and brighter futures for every student you serve.

As we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to give one final heartfelt thank you to all of our incredible teachers and related service providers. Your dedication, passion, and heart are what make our schools and programs so special. You are the reason for so much of our success, and we are incredibly grateful for all that you do.

Thank you for leading with heart in everything you do. Your impact changes lives, and we are better because of you. 🍎