The ACES - The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students

09/16/2026

Our student recently participated in an activity focused on Su***de Prevention and Awareness, highlighting the importance of taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental health. Students talked about how to recognize signs that someone may be struggling, the importance of checking in with ourselves, and ways we can support those around us. As part of the activity, students created bracelets representing Su***de Prevention and Awareness Month as a reminder that our mental and emotional health matters and that reaching out for support is a sign of strength. We appreciate your continued support in helping our students learn the importance of taking care of themselves and one another.

09/11/2026

Remembering September 11, 2001

Today, Austin Centers came together to recognize Patriot Day and remember the lives forever changed by September 11, 2001.

For our students, many of whom were not yet born that day, it is important that we take time to teach them about the courage, compassion, and unity that followed one of the most significant moments in our nation’s history. We remember the lives lost, honor the first responders and everyday heroes who stepped forward, and remind our students 🇺🇸of the importance of coming together to support one another.

A very special THANK YOU to Phoenix Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety and Phoenix Fire Department for joining us today and helping our kiddos understand why this day matters. Your presence gives our students an opportunity to learn from the heroes who continue to serve and protect our communities every day.

We remember. We honor. We never forget.

09/08/2026

🍎 West Valley educators, we want YOU! 🍎

Ready to make a real difference, have some fun, and do meaningful work with amazing students? We’re HIRING Special Education Teachers! 💙

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

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

09/04/2026

Check it out! Open to anyone who is wanting more information on Guardianship! 🔎

09/01/2026

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Ms. Renee-Francisca! 🌟

We are excited to shine the spotlight on Ms. Renee-Francisca, our Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Coordinator!

Ms. Renee-Francisca brings an incredible 24 years of experience in education to Austin Centers. Her career began in Tucson as a 4th grade teacher before she moved to Long Beach, California, where she spent 15 years working in charter schools. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles, including Academic Recovery Teacher, Curriculum Specialist, Content Editor, and Curriculum and Assessment Manager.

These experiences have given her a unique perspective on teaching, curriculum, assessment, and supporting educators. After returning home to Arizona in 2021, she is excited to bring that experience to Austin Centers.

In her new role as Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction Coordinator, Ms. Renee-Francisca works alongside our teachers and teams to support instruction, strengthen curriculum and assessment practices, and help create meaningful learning opportunities for our students.

Outside of education, Ms. Renee-Francisca enjoys spending time with her family, reading, playing video games, and trying new experiences that push her outside of her comfort zone. While living in Long Beach, she performed improv for six years throughout the Los Angeles area. She has also tried blacksmithing and even attended a Historical European Martial Arts class, where she learned longsword techniques! She loves learning new things, especially when they come with a great story to tell afterward.

We are thrilled to have Ms. Renee-Francisca’s experience, creativity, and passion for education as part of the Austin Centers team. We are excited to see all she will bring to our students and staff!

08/25/2026

Meet the Teacher Night at Austin Centers Peoria! 🦅💙

What a wonderful evening at our Austin Centers Peoria Campus! We loved welcoming our amazing parents and guardians for a special Meet the Teacher Night!

Meet the Teacher is such an important part of starting a new school year. It gives families the opportunity to connect with the incredible educators who will be working with their students, learn more about classroom routines and expectations, ask questions, and begin building the strong school-to-home partnership that is so important to student success. When families and teachers work together, students have an even stronger support system behind them!

And of course, we made sure the evening was FUN! 🎨✂️✨ Our families enjoyed fun activities, arts and crafts, plenty of smiles, and the best part…getting to see and explore their students' classrooms!

There is nothing quite like the excitement of a new school year, and our campuses are ready to make this an incredible one! We are so grateful to all of our families who came out, connected with our staff, and helped us kick off the year with such a positive and welcoming atmosphere.

Here’s to a fantastic school year at Austin Centers! We are ready to learn, grow, create, and SOAR! 🦅💙

08/19/2026

Supporting Our Students, Right Where They Learn! 🗣️💙

Our amazing Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapists are already making an impact through our push-in model, bringing services directly into the classroom where students learn, communicate, and grow.

🗣️ Speech Services support communication, language, social skills, and the ability to express wants and needs.

✋ Occupational Therapy helps build independence through fine motor skills, sensory regulation, self-care, and functional classroom skills.

By working directly alongside our teachers and students, our therapists can support skills in real time and in real-life situations.

At The Austin Centers, our incredible Related Services team is one of the things that makes our school truly special. Their collaboration, expertise, and dedication help our kiddos become more confident, capable, and independent every day!

One team. One mission. Helping every student thrive. 💙

08/17/2026

📣🎉 AUSTIN CENTERS SCHOOL SPIRIT IS HERE! 🎉📣

We kicked off an incredible week last Friday with our Annual School Pep Rally, and there was no better way to start the year! Our campuses were filled with music, cheers, smiles, school spirit, co****le, and an incredible amount of excitement as we welcomed our students back and celebrated the amazing year ahead.

Our Pep Rally was the perfect opportunity to bring everyone together and set the tone for the 2026 to 2027 school year. Our students showed up ready to have fun, cheer each other on, and celebrate being part of the Austin Centers family. 💙

There is something so special about the energy of a new school year. New goals, new opportunities, new friendships, new experiences, and so many chances for our students to discover just how much they can accomplish.

Our staff brought the energy. Our students brought the spirit. And together, we kicked off the year with the excitement and optimism that makes Austin Centers such a special place to be!

📣 LET'S GO, AUSTIN CENTERS! 📣

We are ready for an incredible year filled with school spirit, big smiles, meaningful growth, unforgettable memories, and plenty of reasons to celebrate along the way! 🎉📚💙

08/12/2026

🎉 Week One is officially underway! 🎉

What an amazing way to kick off the 2026 to 2027 school year! Across all of our campuses, we have loved seeing our students walk through the doors with big smiles, excited energy, and so much enthusiasm for the year ahead.

There is something special about the first week of school. New classrooms, new teachers, new friendships, new goals, and so many opportunities to learn and grow. Our campuses have been filled with excitement as our students get settled in, reconnect with familiar faces, and begin building those important relationships that make our schools such special places.

We are especially excited to welcome all of our new students and families to the Austin Centers family! We are so glad you are here, and we cannot wait to see all that you accomplish this year.

A huge welcome back to our amazing staff as well! Your energy, patience, dedication, and excitement have been incredible to see. You set the tone for our students, and we are grateful for everything you do to make each day a positive and meaningful experience.

Week One is just the beginning, and we already know this is going to be an incredible year! 💙📚✨

Welcome back, Austin Centers! Let’s make it an amazing one!

08/04/2026

🎉 Our school year is officially in full swing! 🎉

Yesterday, we had the privilege of welcoming our incredible teachers back to our campuses across Arizona and Colorado, and the excitement was contagious! From reconnecting with teammates to preparing classrooms and creating meaningful learning experiences, our teachers are already hard at work getting everything ready for an amazing school year.

In just one week, our campuses will be filled with students ready to learn, grow, and achieve incredible things. We cannot wait to welcome both our returning and new students and begin another year of making a difference together.
To all of our amazing teachers, welcome back!

Thank you for the passion, dedication, and heart you bring to our students every single day. Your commitment, compassion, and dedication create an environment where students can thrive, and we are so excited to see the impact you will make this school year.

Here's to an incredible 2026 2027 school year! 💙🍎📚