We Now Have Dual Accreditation!
We're thrilled to share some big news: PS Academy has officially earned dual accreditation from the National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA) and Cognia, along with a specialized autism endorsement. That places us among a small group of schools in Arizona recognized for meeting rigorous academic and autism-specific standards for educating neurodiverse learners.
This wasn't a quick process. It took a full year, a 100+ page self-study report, a 200+ page appendix of supporting documentation, and a multi-day, on-campus review from a four-person evaluation team. They sat down with our students, our parents, and our staff to really understand what happens here every day.
And what they told us at the end of their visit meant everything: they called their experience at PS Academy "life-changing" and pointed to what they described as our "special sauce," the culture that makes this place feel different the moment you walk in.
"We are incredibly humbled by the feedback from the evaluation team and are proud of what our community has built together," said Kami Cothrun, Founder of PS Academy Arizona. "This recognition affirms our commitment to providing both strong academics and the right level of support for each of our students with autism and other neurodivergences."
If you've been inside our classrooms, you already know what this looks like: smaller, more flexible classes designed around how our students actually learn. Teens grouped by ability instead of age. Equal weight given to academics, social development, and real-world life skills, alongside competitive sports, musical theatre, culinary arts, STEM, volunteer work, workforce development, and yes, Student Council and Prom too.
So what does dual accreditation actually mean for our families? A few things:
Academic excellence with specialized autism support — proof that rigorous academics and tailored autism interventions can, and do, coexist here.
Credibility with families and professionals — added assurance for parents, therapists, and school districts that we meet high standards both academically and therapeutically.
Alignment with best practices — confirmation that our programming, staff training, and support strategies reflect current, research-based approaches in autism education.
Improved student outcomes — meaningful, individualized progress through structured academics paired with targeted services.
Ongoing accountability — continuous evaluation and program refinement to keep meeting that standard, not just earn it once.
Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, summed up what accreditation is meant to do: it focuses an entire school community on making sure every student can flourish in an engaging, effective learning environment. He specifically commended PS Academy Arizona for meeting that bar and making real progress on the indicators that matter most for student learning.
"At our core, we're a typical school for atypical learners," Cothrun added. "And this accreditation reinforces that what makes PS Academy so unique is not just what we teach, but how we empower each student through meaningful learning experiences, strong community connections, and evidence-based support."
But honestly, the validation that matters most comes from families like the Booths. Ray Booth, whose son Elijah attends PS Academy, put it simply: "As a parent, there are no words to express my gratitude for PS Academy and all it has done for Elijah. The transformation I have seen in him has been such a blessing. Elijah has excelled more than I could have ever imagined. The confidence, strength and passion he has gained is truly remarkable."
This accreditation is a milestone, but it's really just a formal recognition of what our community already knew: PS Academy works because it was built specifically for the students it serves.
