Your Teen’s New Journey Starts here.
your teen isn't defined by their diagnosis. Whether they have autism, ADHD, selective mutism, anxiety, or depression, what matters most to us is creating a safe and supportive environment where they can thrive.
Welcome to PS Academy
Parenting teens? It’s a wild ride. But when it comes to finding the perfect school, we’re here to make it a bit smoother.
At PS Academy, we've walked in your shoes. We get the struggles and the worries. That's why we've created a place where your teen can truly belong.
Imagine them waking up excited to go to school, surrounded by peers and teachers who really understand them. It's like finding a cozy spot in a chaotic world.
We know it's tough to let go, but part of our mission is helping your teen find independence and confidence. We're here to support both of you every step of the way.
Who is PS Academy for?
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Neurodivergent Students
In the past, we have been a school catering to the needs of children with autism. We have evolved over the years to cover more exceptionalities. Students must have an IEP or 504 to apply.
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Students with Learning Differences
Whether it’s dyslexia, Down syndrome, or ADD, students with any learning difference are welcome at PS Academy. We have seen countless individuals thrive in an environment that finally gets them. Students must have an IEP/504 to apply.
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Students Who Just... Don't Fit In
There are other cases where students simply don’t fit in. From those with selective mutism to others with anxiety or depression, they are welcome here. Students must have an IEP/ 504 to apply.
Explore Our Programs
Secondary Programs
At PS Academy, we offer a range of programs tailored to meet students' varying levels of need and independence. Unlike traditional schools, students are grouped by ability rather than age, ensuring they receive the right level of support and challenge in a way that meets their individual needs. Below is an overview of our Secondary Programs, listed from the highest level of support to the most independent learning environment.
Full Capability Program (FCP) – Personalized Support for Daily Life
Who: Students in grades 6-12 with significant needs in communication, self-care, and daily living skills.
Goal: Build independence through highly structured, hands-on learning experiences.
Functional Communication: Helping students express themselves in ways that work best for them.
Self-Care Skills: Teaching personal hygiene, health routines, and independent living basics.
Sensory-Based Learning: Engaging all senses to enhance understanding and participation.
This program provides adaptive teaching methods and a nurturing environment for students to grow at their own pace.
Full Potential Program (FPP) – Academics + Life Skills in a Supportive Setting
Who: Students in grades 6-12 who benefit from a self-contained, structured program with extra support.
Goal: Strengthen academic, social, and life skills through small-group learning and real-world experiences.
This program is ideal for students who can engage in academics but need additional guidance and structure. Key areas include:
Core Academics: Whole group and small group instruction in subjects like math, reading, writing, history, and science.
Daily Living Skills: Routine self-care tasks.
Social Skills: including effective communication and self-regulation
Community Integration: Students practice skills in real-life settings, such as grocery stores or workplaces.
FPP students receive a balance of academic and life-skills education to help them develop independence in both school and daily life.
Enrichment Program (EP) – Targeted Support for Learning Challenges
Who: Students who need extra help in specific academic areas, executive functioning, or social communication.
Goal: Provide structured support in English and math while improving organization and problem-solving skills.
This program is designed for students who are capable of learning grade-level content but need additional assistance to master material. It focuses on:
Core Subject Reinforcement: Extra time and support in English and math.
Executive Functioning Skills: Strengthening organization, planning, and study habits.
Small-Group Instruction: A structured, low-pressure setting to revisit challenging topics and work at a comfortable pace.
EP helps students build confidence in their abilities while maintaining progress in their academic coursework.
Academic Program – Grade-Level Learning with Minimal Support
Who: Students at or near grade level who need occasional accommodations.
Goal: Challenge students academically while fostering self-advocacy and independence.
This program is best for students who are working at or close to grade level but benefit from small adjustments in their learning environment. It includes:
Rigorous Coursework: Engaging academic lessons aligned with traditional grade-level expectations.
Self-Advocacy Development: Teaching students how to ask for help and use accommodations effectively.
Classroom Independence: Encouraging organization, focus, and participation with minimal support.
Students in this program prepare for post-secondary opportunities such as college or employment with the confidence to manage their own success.
Transition Program – Preparing for Life Beyond School
Who: Students ages 18-22 who are ready to apply their skills in real-world settings.
Goal: Equip students with the tools they need for independent living, employment, and community engagement.
The Transition Program focuses on real-world readiness through:
Independent Living Skills: Personal care, home management, and money handling.
Career Readiness: Job exploration, workplace expectations, and vocational training.
Community Engagement: Opportunities to practice social skills and life skills outside the classroom.
This program ensures students leave PS Academy with the confidence and skills to pursue meaningful, self-sufficient futures.
Each program is designed to meet students where they are and help them grow toward greater independence. Whether a student needs significant daily support or just a little extra guidance, PS Academy has a place for them!
Transition Program
The future isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is our transition program. Lyfe Launch at PS Academy Arizona is designed to equip students with real-world skills for employment, independent living, and post-secondary education. Through hands-on job exploration, community engagement, and life skills training, students build confidence and gain the experience they need to step into adulthood with independence.
🍗 Chick-fil-A – Serving Up Success
Customer service, teamwork, and efficiency are just a few skills students working at Chick-fil-A gain in the fast-paced restaurant environment, learning the ins and outs of hospitality and food service.
Dairy Queen & Creamistry – Sweet Opportunities🍦
Students learn food preparation, teamwork, and customer service at two fun places to work: Creamistry and Dairy Queen! From scooping up smiles to handling transactions, they gain valuable skills in the food industry.
“We brought on a young gentleman named Garrett, the whole hiring process was easy, sent over a copy of our application and they had him fill it out. Offered to send a copy of it back if we wanted but I opted to pick it up and got to meet him when I did. From there we got him in for an interview 2 days later and he started working the next week. The kids from this school are phenomenal. We have one previous student as well who has been with us for almost 3 years, and now our newest hire. He picked up on everything so quick and easily he has been a true blessing to work with. Such a great kid coming from such an incredible school and program.”
🏠 Savannah House - Giving Back
At Savannah House, students engage in volunteer work that’s meaningful and fulfilling by giving back and making connections. They assist with cleaning, organizing, and spending time with residents to create connections that bring joy to everyone involved.
👕 Matthew’s Closet – A Helping Hand in Retail
Our students get firsthand experience sorting, organizing, and distributing clothing at Matthew’s Closet. This volunteer opportunity teaches customer service, organization, and teamwork in a retail setting.
🎳 Fat Cats – Where Work Meets Fun
Fat Cats provides a dynamic workplace for students to develop customer service, organization, and teamwork skills. Whether assisting with entertainment services or working behind the scenes, our students get a well-rounded experience in the hospitality industry.
Signs it’s time to consider switching
❌ Your current school’s programs overlook individual needs
❌ Struggling to find confidence, fit in, or make friends
❌ Simply don’t look forward to going to school or completely try to avoid it
❌ Lack of a plan when it comes to what happens after high school
❌ Feeling like an outcast; flying under the radar
❌ Needs not being met
Why we’re different
✔️ All of the cool things that you get at public school, but with kids that GET you
✔️ Programs tailored to our student’s strengths, where students are grouped by ability and not age
✔️ A community where it’s okay to be different
✔️ A place where students come into their own
✔️ An array of clubs and electives that build long-lasting relationships and life skills
✔️ Hands-on experiences and a Transition Program to explore passions and learn skills, helping teens gain independence for life beyond school
✔️ Teens fit in, make friends, and look forward to school!
What You need to know about tuition
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It is our mission to provide the best environment and education for all students. In order to do so, tuition is $34,300 per year.
Your options for funding include the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA), School Tuition Organizations (STO), and private pay.
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95% of our students are fully covered by ESA. Our funding specialist will help you with the process of securing up to 100% of tuition costs. Download the guide to ESAs here.
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If your student cannot qualify for ESA, our funding specialist will guide you through the process of working with various STOs to secure funding. Download the guide to STOs here.
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A payment plan can be tailored to meet your needs. Payment schedules are flexible and can be paid on a monthly or quarterly basis.
The Enrollment Process
Explore Our Student Profile
Our goal is to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Take a look at our student profile to learn more and determine if we are a good fit for your teen.
Get Our Free Tuition Guide
Learn all you need to know about the Arizona ESA and STOs, and how to qualify for free tuition. 99% of our students are covered by either.
Submit an Inquiry
Fill out our Inquire Now form to reach out to our enrollment team with a request to schedule a tour!
Join us on a Parent Tour
Our enrollment team will review your inquiry and reach out with a scheduling link to join us on a virtual tour.
Submit Paperwork
We will ask for your student’s current IEP, MET, and the PS application to continue the process. We review the paperwork and will let you know if we can proceed to the next step!
Student & Parent Interview
You will be invited to join our enrollment team to discuss your student’s strengths and challenges, answer questions, and evaluate potential enrollment. Your student will then join our Secondary Program Coordinator for a tour of the campus and a very informal assessment.
Outcome Notification
Depending on the paperwork and interview, we will let you know if we feel that your student would thrive at PS Academy. We email all parents due to the volume of requests received.
Financial Collaboration
We will collaborate with you to understand your options. Our financial specialist will help you apply for the ESA or contact STOs to secure funding.
Your Student is enrolled!
As soon as you receive the acceptance letter and return the Registration packet, your student is officially enrolled at PS Academy and can hit the ground running!
Parent Testimonials
Inquiry Now!
FAQs
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FAQs 〰️
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Students are grouped by ability so that classes are able to work at a pace that works for all students.
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At PS Academy, we do not have a set teacher to student ratio. Staffing is based solely on student need. While we want to fully support all students, we also want to encourage independence as much as possible.
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School hours for Elementary students (K-5) are Monday-Thursday 8:30 am- 2:15 pm & Friday 8:30 am - 11:15 am.
School hours for Secondary students (6-12) are Monday-Thursday 8:00 am - 3:00 pm & Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
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While we don’t offer door to door transportation, we have a fleet of vans that cover various routes to pick up and drop off students throughout the valley.
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Yes, we have a Before and After School Program. Students can arrive anytime after 7:00 AM and stay until 5:00 PM on Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, students can arrive after 7:00 AM and stay until 3:00 PM.
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We have a behavior team in place to support students. There is a protocol in place should a student’s behavior not align with the Big 5 conduct tenets.
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We offer over 30 clubs and electives. Some of the newest include Rock Band, Student Council, Girl Power, Musical Theatre, Car Club, Dungeons & Dragons, and Cake Decorating.
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Yes, students ages 18-22 participate in our Lyfe Launch Transition Program. For more information, refer to our programs page.
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There are several ways you can pay for tuition. The primary method is the ESA (Empowerment Scholarship Account). There are also other options which you can learn more about it on our tuition page.
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Yes. PS Academy Arizona is accredited by the National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA), one of the most respected accrediting bodies in K-12 education. This is the result of a rigorous, independent evaluation process that confirms PS Academy meets the highest standards of academic quality and student support.