PROGRAM FUNDED: Arizona Autism Charter School Early Learning Center is a one-stop-shop, offering a best-practice school with small learning environments, onsite therapies, parent training and support for families of young children with autism.

SCHOOL TESTIMONIAL:

“Last quarter we shared a video and story about the Esparza family. They brought their daughter Faith to our school when it first opened in 2014 and knew immediately, they found a home where their daughter would thrive. They made a long drive twice daily from Goodyear to reach the school. When they learned their second child, Robert, also had special needs, they realized they needed to live closer to AZACS. They sold their dream home in Goodyear to move into a trailer home in central Phoenix to be closer to AZACS. Eventually, their third child also became an AZACS student and now the whole family benefits from the school. Our second story is about Blythe, a thriving first grade student at the AZACS Early Learning Center. When Blythe’s dad Ross reached out to AZACS, Blythe had already been suspended from a private kindergarten program because they couldn’t manage her special needs. Ross was distressed because he didn’t know of any school that would be a fit for his daughter, an energetic non-verbal five-year-old with autism with so much potential. Ross was referred to AZACS by another charter leader and immediately knew he found a home for his daughter. Blythe is thriving at AZACS, learning new communication skills every day, and engaged in STEAM project-based learning. She enjoys her teachers and friends and will have a school that will take through her high school years to help her develop her full potential. Ross says AZACS has been life-changing for his family and has now become a parent representative on the AZACS Board of Directors.”

Diana Diaz, Founder & Executive Director