Tucson Unified Virtual Academy

The Abbie School is a Tucson school for students with autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, other health impairments, and sensory processing disorders. Each student receives an Individualized Education Program prepared by a specialist and reviewed annually. Staff help students build an academic plan around what comes next, whether that means returning to public school, preparing for college, entering the workforce, or pursuing vocational or trade training. Core classes include science, math, and English; electives include music, photography, and home economics. The school maintains a maximum 8:1 student-to-staff ratio and teaches life and social skills alongside academics, helping students grow confidence and independence in a sensory-sensitive, accepting environment.

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.