Arizona Autism Charter Schools

What Arizona Autism Charter Schools does

Arizona Autism Charter Schools (AZACS) is a nonprofit public charter school network chartered by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools in 2013 and opened in 2014, operating as the first tuition-free, autism-focused public charter school in Arizona and the western United States. The organization serves students with autism spectrum disorder and other learning differences across grades K-12 and through a Transition Academy for ages 18-22, delivering instruction via a proprietary three-tier ABA-based model (Academic, Modified Academic, and Functional Academic programs) integrated with WozEd STEAM project-based curriculum at a 3:1 student-to-staff ratio.

AZACS operates eight campuses across Arizona — Central Phoenix (Elementary K-3 and Upper 4-12), Peoria/West Valley (Elementary K-5 and Upper 6-12), Tucson (Elementary K-3 and Upper 6-12), and Mesa/East Valley (Elementary K-3, opening Fall 2026) — plus a fully accredited online K-12 school with rolling enrollment. Adjacent products include the P.I.E.C.E. Transition Program for high school and transition-age students and Essential Piece Enterprises, an adult services arm operating student-run businesses and workforce-readiness programs in partnership with Banner Health, UHAUL, and ACE Hardware.

AZACS is funded primarily through Arizona per-pupil charter school allocations supplemented by Arizona state tax-credit donations, general donations, and grants from sources including the Walton Family Foundation, the AZ Charter Schools Program, Charter Schools Growth Fund, the Yass Prize ($1 million in 2022), and Building Hope ($40,000 in March 2024). Co-founders Diana Diaz-Harrison and Ron Harrison lead the organization alongside a CFO with prior CFO experience at Evite, Digital Insight, and Tekelec, a Chief of Schools, a COO, and a network of campus directors and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs).

Name

Arizona Autism Charter Schools

Legal name

Arizona Autism Charter Schools, Inc.

Website

https://autismcharter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Arizona Autism Charter Schools (AZACS) is a nonprofit public charter network providing tuition-free, ABA-based K-12 education for students on the autism spectrum across eight campuses and an online school in Arizona.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Charter School Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter Special Education & Inclusive Programs (EDAJACAF), Autism Executive Functioning & Academic Skills Intervention (EDAKAKAI), Autism Transition Planning & Postsecondary Readiness (Educational) (EDAKAKAK), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Special Needs-Inclusive Early Learning Academies (EDACADAI)

Keywords

• Autism education services
• Special education charter
• Applied behavior analysis
• K-12 public charter
• Transition vocational programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Charter School Funding: As a tuition-free public charter school, AZACS receives per-pupil state funding based on enrollment. No tuition is charged to families.
2. Tax Credit Campaign Donations: Arizona state tax credit donations where individuals can redirect state tax dollars. Single filers can donate $200, couples can donate $400 for full state refund.
3. General Donations: General cash donations accepted online via PayPal or by mail/check to support school needs and programs.
4. Grants: Startup grants from Walton Family Foundation and AZ Charter Schools Program. Recognition and funding from Charter Schools Growth Fund and Yass Prize ($1 million in 2022).
5. Student Fees and After School Programs: Tuition-based after school program, yearbooks, graduation fees, Special Olympics fees, late pick-up fees, field trip fees, communication logs, and spirit merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Arizona Autism Charter Schools (AZACS) operates a tuition-free public charter school network in Arizona serving students on the autism spectrum in grades K-12. The network delivers individualized, ABA-based instruction across multiple in-person campuses (Central Phoenix, Mesa, Peoria, Tucson) and an accredited online school, organized into three program tiers (Academic, Modified Academic, and Functional Academic). It also offers a P.I.E.C.E. Transition Program and Essential Piece Enterprises adult services for post-secondary workforce readiness.

Product overview

Arizona Autism Charter Schools (AZACS) is a tuition-free public charter school network offering specialized autism-focused education. The portfolio consists of multiple in-person campuses (Central Phoenix, Mesa, Peoria, and Tucson locations serving grades K-12) and an accredited Online School (K-12), all operating three program levels (Academic, Modified Academic, and Functional Academic) grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles. The network includes a P.I.E.C.E. Transition Program for high school students and Essential Piece Enterprises (EPE) for adult services. Supporting services include after school programs, Special Olympics, and the National School Lunch Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AZACS In-Person Campuses Multiple in-person campuses across Arizona (Central Phoenix Elementary K-3 and Upper 4-12, Mesa Elementary K-3, Peoria Elementary K-5 and Upper 6-12, Tucson Elementary K-3 and Upper 6-12) each offering three program levels (Academic, Modified Academic, Functional Academic) grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis principles for students on the autism spectrum.
• AZACS Online School Fully accredited online K-12 school providing digital learning for students on the autism spectrum with live dedicated teachers, offering rolling enrollment at Online Elementary Campus (K-8) and Online Upper Campus (8-12) with three program levels: Academic, Modified Academic, and Functional Academic.
• P.I.E.C.E. Transition Program Postsecondary Innovation and Entrepreneurial Career Education program serving high school students in grades 9-12 and ages 18-22, focusing on employability skills, vocational training, community integration, and transition planning for life after AZACS, including Essential Piece Enterprises student-led businesses.
• Essential Piece Enterprises (EPE) Adult services extension of AZACS offering workforce-readiness programs for adults ages 18+ with Work Adjustment Training, Job Training, Career Exploration, Group Supported Employment, Pathways to Employment, and Day Treatment services. Operates three community-facing businesses (Coffee Shop, T-shirt Print Studio, Shipping/Receiving Center) plus a Tech Studio.
• After School Programs Tuition-based after school program ($12/day) offering extended-day support, plus after school sports, Special Olympics programs, and a tuition-free ARCH-funded option through partnership with Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) for eligible students.
• National School Lunch and Breakfast Program Federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) participation at Phoenix and West Valley campuses, providing meals to eligible students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3:1 student-to-staff ratio vs. 22.7:1 Arizona state average
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• KaBOOM! FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected AZACS for playground grants to build state-of-the-art fitness and playground equipment. First playground built at elementary campus, second at Upper School. Partnered with Fairytale Brownies as corporate sponsor.
• Fairytale BrowniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor for KaBOOM! playground build, raising $100,000 and providing volunteer support including closing the bakery to provide volunteers.
• Banner HealthsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndustry partner providing external internship opportunities for Essential Piece Enterprises adult clients in workforce training.
• UHAULsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndustry partner providing external internship opportunities for Essential Piece Enterprises adult clients in workforce training.
• ACE HardwaresupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIndustry partner for adult client workforce training and internship opportunities through Essential Piece Enterprises program.
• ARCH (Division of Developmental Disabilities)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer tuition-free after school program funded by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Limited spots available for eligible students.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC): Arizona-based nonprofit providing autism research, education, and community resources including a charter school (Phoenixville). Comparable as a regional autism-services organization operating in the same Arizona geography and serving overlapping families.
• The Leona Group: Charter school management organization with significant Arizona presence. Comparable as an Arizona-headquartered charter operator with overlapping geography, state-board charter relationships, and per-pupil funding model.

Direct peers

• BASIS Charter Schools: Arizona-headquartered charter school network operating multiple campuses across Phoenix and Tucson. Directly comparable as a high-performing, multi-campus Arizona charter network pursuing similar grade-band expansion and geographic growth strategies.
• Great Hearts Academies: Arizona-based nonprofit charter network with extensive Phoenix-area campuses and additional Texas expansion. Comparable as a mission-driven, multi-campus Arizona charter network with similar per-pupil funding model and growth playbook.

Broad incumbents

• KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program): National nonprofit charter network serving K-12 students across 20+ states. Comparable as a large-scale charter operator with public per-pupil funding, multi-campus expansion, and recognized brand in K-12 public charter education.
• National Heritage Academies: Large for-profit charter management organization operating 90+ schools across the U.S. Comparable as a multi-state charter operator with similar per-pupil economics and centralized operational support structure.
• Charter Schools USA: Large charter management organization operating schools in multiple states. Comparable as a multi-state charter operator with similar per-pupil revenue model and growth-oriented expansion strategy.
• ACCEL Schools: Multi-state charter management organization operating K-12 schools with public funding. Comparable as a charter network with similar enrollment-based revenue model and operational scaling approach.

Emerging players

• May Institute: National nonprofit providing autism and special-education services across the lifespan, including schools and adult services. Comparable as an autism-specialized services organization with a similar cradle-to-career service philosophy.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: National nonprofit operating schools and behavioral health programs for individuals with autism and emotional/behavioral challenges. Comparable as an autism-focused educational and behavioral services provider using ABA-based methodologies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/azautismcharter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@arizonaautismcharterschool2278/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/Arizonaautismcharterschools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/azacs
• Instagraminstagram.com/azautismcharterschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arizona Autism Charter Schools