Abbie School

At Arizona Autism Charter Schools, we welcome autistic students to tuition-free public charter programs in Tucson. Our Tucson Elementary Campus serves grades K–3 at 1300 S. Belvedere Avenue, and our Tucson Upper Campus serves grades 6–12 at 1844 S. Alvernon Way. Across both Tucson campuses, students can learn in Academic, Modified Academic, or Functional Academic programs, with instruction matched to their academic needs and support goals. The elementary program builds early skills through English language arts, math, science, and social studies, alongside electives and STEAM project work through WozEd. At the upper campus, students rotate among subject-area teachers, earn credits toward a state-accredited diploma, and can explore life skills and career readiness. Our staff use Applied Behavior Analysis principles to support behavioral and skill-acquisition goals, while behavior specialists work alongside classroom teams. High school students may also participate in PIECE, our transition program for career-based STEAM, work experiences, self-advocacy, and preparation for employment or further education. Students ages 18–22 may qualify for continued transition services when they remain eligible for special education and still need high-school credits. Families can contact us to discuss enrollment and the Tucson campus that fits their student's grade.

The Tucson Upper Campus of Arizona Autism Charter Schools serves older students with autism, separate from the Tucson Elementary Campus on Belvedere Avenue. Arizona Autism Charter Schools is the first tuition-free public charter network in Arizona focused on students with autism, approved by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools to serve grades K-12 and winner of the Yass Prize in 2022. Its programs use the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis to support behavior and help students access state standards, along with STEAM and project-based learning through the WozEd curriculum. Students are placed in one of three program levels: an Academic Program for students working at or near grade level, a Modified Academic Program, and a Functional Academic Program for students with intensive needs who benefit from a highly structured ABA-enriched classroom. In the network's upper school model, middle and high school students rotate to subject teachers on a block schedule for English language arts, math, science, social studies, life skills, and fine arts, with specials such as music, art, ballroom dance, and physical education. High school students earn credits toward a state accredited diploma and can join the PIECE Academy transition program, which offers career readiness courses in technology, culinary arts, and STEAM.

The ASDB Tucson Campus is part of the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, a public agency providing specialized education for students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired or deafblind. It offers day and residential programs for preschool through grade 12, with services extending to age 21 or 22 for transition needs. The campus provides standards-based academics tailored to individual communication and sensory requirements, including a bilingual ASL-English approach for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Support services encompass audiology, counseling, occupational and physical therapy, and vocational preparation. Enrollment occurs through a student's home school district referral and IEP process; the school does not accept direct parent applications. The Tucson Campus maintains both day and residential options, with dormitories available. The campus is relocating to a new site in Oro Valley for the 2026-2027 school year.