The Austin Centers for Students

Highly Engaged Employees

The Austin Centers for Students (ACES) is a state-certified private special education provider serving kindergarten through twelfth grade students with complex behavioral, social, and academic needs across the greater Phoenix area. Operating three campuses in Peoria, Tempe, and Avondale, ACES serves students referred by Arizona public school distri... cts and state placement agencies who require specialized instruction outside traditional public school settings. The organization delivers a comprehensive instructional program that balances rigorous academic achievement with intensive development of social and behavioral competencies, addressing the needs of students with documented histories of inappropriate behavior in classroom and social environments. ACES employs a multidisciplinary team of educators, psychologists, therapists, and behaviorists who implement systematic, individualized behavioral intervention plans designed to replace maladaptive behaviors with socially and academically appropriate alternatives. The organization's therapeutic approach emphasizes a consistent, school-wide behavioral framework that leverages positive reinforcement and structured consequences to motivate students toward better choices while building self-esteem and positive self-image. ACES operates under Arizona Department of Education standards for Exceptional Student Services and functions as an extension of referring districts, ensuring alignment with public education requirements and district expectations. The organization attributes its effectiveness to three core operational strengths: a high staff-to-student ratio that enables personalized attention, a team of qualified and professionally trained staff members, and collaborative communication protocols involving parents, district personnel, and ACES educators. This integrated approach creates a supportive, nurturing learning environment that capitalizes on students' intrinsic motivation to succeed when provided with consistent positive feedback and clear behavioral ...Read More