Science Prep Academy

80 % of Autistic people are unemployed or under employed. And 80% of Autistic people are under the age of 22. In the near future there will be a dramatic increase in the number of young adults transitioning out of high school who will not be prepared to be successful.

Our solution is a positive and supportive learning environments that believes Autistic students can be computer scientists.

“According to recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 68 children will be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at some point before they are 18.”1 “There will be 500,000 adults on the autism spectrum aging into adulthood over the next 10 years. Yet a whopping 85% of college grads affected by autism are unemployed, compared to the national unemployment rate of 4.5%.”2 Securing satisfying employment is difficult for anyone, but for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder it’s even more of a challenge. “Others are doing menial jobs far below their skill and testing level with 79% of young adults with autism work part-time, averaging $9.11 per hour.”5 These adults are eager and excited to work but struggle to fit into a hiring and recruitment process that is fundamentally social.

“U.S. business and policy leaders have made it a priority to increase the number of students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math, collectively known as STEM. But one source of STEM talent is often overlooked: young people with autism spectrum disorders.

Our student's education is differentiated according to each student’s ability. The development of communication, personal and social skills forms a large part of their plan, with an emphasis placed on establishing appropriate social and emotional behavior in school and in the STEM lab settings. Science Prep Academy seeks to serve students with Asperger's Syndrome & High Functioning Autism throughout Metro Phoenix whose sights are set on college but who face a frustrating search for a quality school to help them realize their dreams.

Science Prep Academy’s curriculum will ensure college and career readiness by offering courses that fulfill all Arizona graduation requirements, allow for dual enrollment and early college options, and address key skills that students need for success. These skills include critical thinking and problem solving, global awareness, self-directed learning, collaboration skills, and technology literacy.  

At Science Prep Academy, a student’s academic success is optimized through smart use of data and technology by expert, passionate teachers – both face-to-face and online – while his or her emotional success is supported by specially trained academic coaches and trained therapists in an innovative team environment. 

Phoenix’s own Science Prep Academy (SPA) continues to grow as a leader in private education for children with autism. Adding the Amazon Future Engineer program to the curriculum is one of many ways that the academy opens new doors of possibility to their students. SPA’s innovative and holistic curriculum has been thoughtfully constructed, encompassing a multimedia approach delivered using constructivism methods in small groups maintaining a 4:1 ratio. Small class sizes allow the academy to provide unique STEM experiences and programs. As with any new tools brought into SPA’s classrooms, programs must be able to provide students with qualities in support of its mission.

            “Science Prep Academy's mission is to build an Autistic workforce by providing opportunities for academic, physical, social, and emotional growth through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) based teaching and learning. Students learn coding and robotics.” – SPA Mission Statement

As of this February, the Amazon Future Engineer program is aiding in the academy’s mission by offering a progressive curriculum for grades K-8 and high school students in the fields of computer science (CS) and coding. All 12 of SPA’s students (currently ranging from grades 6-10) will begin with the K-8 introductory course, ensuring a solid foundation of the material is fundamentally understood by all of the students. Through Amazon’s partnership with Code.org, Coding with Kids, and Edhesive a variety of instructional methods are available throughout the program. Upon completion of their first year, students ready for more challenging course work, may continue on to the AP course and/or high school curriculum.

 “The things that are most exciting about participating is definitely the scholarship and job opportunity. Being able to use my skills to get a scholarship to my dream college would be a bucket list. Knowing that I could possibly get a job is also something that would make me very excited.” - SPA Student