Polaris Academy

Arizona's Premier Autism Academy

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Meet our Award Winning Staff

Polaris is complemented by an award-winning school administrator and staff with decades of experience and accolades raising the bar for autism education.

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Renovated to minimize distractive sensory stimuli

Discover our state-of-the-art school, meticulously designed and renovated to incorporate cutting-edge architectural standards. Our focus is on creating a learning environment that minimizes sensory stimuli, fostering concentration and comfort for students with autism and sensory challenges. Experience the benefits of our tailored approach to education, proven to enhance academic growth and development.

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BCBA, Speech, Occupational, and ABA therapists

Our expert team of BCBA’s, Speech, and other therapy trained school specialists are dedicated to your child’s success through active collaboration with parents, teachers, and outside providers. Together we craft a personalized approach to education and development, enhancing critical learning and communication skills for optimal student growth and success.

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Tailored Learning: Specialized Programs at Polaris Autism Academy

Explore our adaptive curriculum model, seamlessly integrating ABA and other behavior techniques. Our facility features an innovative S.T.E.M. environment, Culinary center, Student Business center, and Intentional Play gym tailored to nurture key life skills, instill self-confidence, and Empower students towards greater independence. Join us at the forefront of autism education.

Founder’s Story: Our Empowering Journey

Managing a child with autism or other neurodivergent conditions can be a challenge, so when it came time to put our son into school we knew there would be hurdles. Our local elementary school was highly rated and we quickly fell in love with the teachers, administration, and convenient location.

The public school provided every resource they could for our son and sincerely wanted to help him succeed. But the challenge was that this school, and its curriculum, was designed for typical kids. No matter how hard our son worked or how much help he received, his measurement and perception of success was overshadowed by the progression of peers around him. He was having success at a rate that was great for him, but in contrast to his classmates it seemed as if he was failing.

Next, we tried home-schooling which was amazing, frustrating, rewarding, and exhausting all at the same time. Autistic children really do require a village of specialists, therapists, and educators, and I did my best to provide him tutors and therapists to meet his needs. But managing the schedules across so many disciplines became complicated and extremely expensive. Recreating the support system provided in school was just not feasible, and although I love working with my son, trying to wear all of those different hats on my own did not work out to his favor or mine. Combine that with missed opportunities for socialization and we knew we needed to find a more specialized school for our son.

We tried a number of private schools that we thought might be a good match. We were excited our son was having good peer interactions with children more like him, but other issues arose. Some were reluctant or unable to change or adopt different teaching methods to better suit his needs, others did not have added resources for speech, ABA, or other therapies. And some that appeared to have everything we needed unfortunately had no more room for our son. So we were left with the decision to either continue home-schooling while we waited for an opening in a preferred school, place him in a school that was still not meeting his needs…. or start our own school.

That’s when Polaris Academy was born. Schooling for autistic children shouldn’t be a challenge, it should be an opportunity. So our task was to create a school where neurodivergent children could relate, socialize, and thrive in an environment physically designed for focused learning, academically designed to be flexible and promote out-of-the box thinking, and filled with professionals driven by a passion for our students instead of mandated goals and standards. Our vision was fortunately shared by our founding group and with their collective efforts our dream has now become a reality. We are so excited to share what we have learned, developed and created with you and your children and hope you will let us be a part of your amazing journey.

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Polaris Academy: First Arizona School to Earn Official Autism Center Certification

IBCCES is proud to partner with Polaris Academy and designate them as a Certified Autism Center. This certification is a testament to their dedication to creating an environment where every student can thrive, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have on the academy's staff, students, and their families.

Why Polaris

Why Polaris

Polaris is the brightest star within the Little Dipper constellation, also called Ursa Minor meaning "the Little Bear" thus our mascot - "Bears". It is known as the North Star, or Pole Star, because of its stable and fixed position in the northern sky.

Used throughout history for navigation, Polaris has shined as a constant and reliable light for those sailing the seas, traversing barren deserts, and charting a course through the unknown. As a symbol, Polaris is used in poetry to represent steadfastness, a guiding principle, a constant guide, and is often associated with direction and purpose. Though appearing to the naked eye as a single point of light, Polaris is actually a triple star system combining the light of three stars to shine brightly in the night.

We couldn't select a better symbol for our school. Our hope, our vision, is for Polaris Academy to be a stable and reliable resource for parents and children, helping to chart and navigate through life's journey towards a more purposeful, independent, and fulfilling future. Polaris Academy stands as a symbol of steadfastness in learning, a constant guide for education and growth. And by combining the experience of our professionals, resources of our community, and unique talents and strengths of our students and parents, Polaris Academy will shine brightly and light a path of success, joy, and confidence for all our little, bright "stars".

Vision

VISION

Our vision is for Polaris Academy to be a foundational education and life resource upon which children, parents, and the community can build a better future for those with autism and other neurodiversity conditions.

We will educate and empower: i) our students to discover and act upon their diverse potential, ii) our parents to engage as trusted partners, iii) our professionals with adaptive tools to manage and accomplish social, academic, and behavioral goals, and iv) our community on the unique talents, strengths and opportunities our students can contribute socially, professionally, and beyond.

Polaris Academy will become more than a school, it will grow to become a living community of students, parents, and professionals working together to craft a culture of unity, belonging, discovery, and self-worth.

Mission

Mission

Our mission for Polaris Academy is to EMPOWER parents and students by creating academic and social resources to NAVIGATE autistic and other neurodivergent children towards a more purposeful, independent, and fulfilling future.

Our flexible education model combines grade level standards with individualized and comprehensive goals to promote student strengths, acknowledge student limitations, and ELEVATE each child to reach their full potential. By combining the experience of our school professionals, the dedication and unique talents of parents and children, and the resources of our community, Polaris Academy will propel its students on a path to greater joy, confidence, and achievement.

Discover the Polaris Difference: Arizona's Leading Autism Academy

Transformative Integrated Therapy Model

Our expert team of BCBA’s, Speech, and other therapy trained school specialists are dedicated to your child’s success through active collaboration with parents, teachers, and outside providers. Together we craft a personalized approach to education and development, enhancing critical learning and communication skills for optimal student growth and success.  Come experience this wholistic approach that we believe will become the leading standard for autism education.

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Cutting-Edge Autism & Sensory School Design

Polaris Academy campuses are designed using newly developed architectural standards for autism aimed at minimizing sensory stimuli while promoting a more focused and comforting learning environment proven to optimize academic growth in autistic and sensory challenged students.  This intentional approach to design features: unique sensory coves, soft and natural palette tones, adaptive lighting, integrated musicscapes, transom windows, and hallway transition zones to create a school that’s more than a school, it’s a home for our students

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Unlock Free Tuition | Leading Autism Academy in Arizona

Experience affordable education at Polaris Academy, Mesa, AZ. With Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), Scholarship from Tuition Organizations (STOs), and private organizations, most parents incur minimal expenses. Join our nurturing environment and unlock your child's potential without financial strain.

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Enrolling Now/Contact Us Today

Secure your child’s future at Arizona’s premier autism academy.  Enrollment is ongoing and we accept mid-year enrollments.  Polaris Academy is currently located in East Mesa near Power and the US 60 with plans to expand to more locations across Arizona soon.  Please contact us to answer any questions or schedule a tour of our wonderful facility: (480)-903-1710 / [email protected].

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I like my school very much, my teacher Mrs. G is the best and Mrs. Molly is too, and Miss Lena is too. I'm very happy at my Polaris Academy.

- Student

(7)

“I like it they have a trampoline, and they are nice.”

- Student

(10)

“I cannot say enough about how impressed I am with Polaris Academy. They have exceeded my expectations and I finally have a place to send my girls that’s the perfect fit for them. There is no other school that exists at a K-12 level that seeks to support autistic kiddos the way that Polaris does. I am so grateful!”

- Amber

(Parent)

“Our daughter failed kindergarten at the public school due to inattentiveness, hiding in the nurse's office, and emotional meltdowns. We were prepared to have her redo kindergarten because we didn’t know of any different methods. We were introduced to Polaris by a friend and met with the owner to talk about the school’s vision and teaching methodology. The method was exactly what our daughter needed. Going into her first grade year at Polaris she had reading and writing skills that were a year behind. After nearly a year at Polaris she is now reading at or a little better than her grade level and is above her grade level in math skills. Her teacher also noticed that Ariel had a hard time reading up close. This allowed us to find out that she was farsighted and was able to fix that problem as well. She is doing even better now! We are so thankful that we’ve placed our daughter here. The education and confidence she is building is life changing. Thank you!”

- John

(Parent)

“One of the best places to work. The staff I work with side by side on a daily basis is amazing. They are so supportive and always willing to lend a hand. The communication between parents and teachers is very professional. I love driving to work everyday knowing how amazing my team is and the culture we have in this company.”

- Kat

(RBT)

“Teaching at Polaris lets me watch the students' growth on a daily basis. Seeing how far they have come since the first day of school is nothing less than amazing. They give us their all, and teach us as much as we teach them. It is my honor and pleasure to be their teacher.”

- Tricia

(1st and 2nd grade teacher)

“Polaris Academy has been a game-changer for my son, my husband, and me. We faced countless challenges in the public school system for years. Our son struggled with relationships, academic performance, teachers, and behavior throughout his first six years of school. After much frustration, we decided to pull him out and start homeschooling. Homeschooling was another daunting task. We felt like we had lost our freedom and sanity. We were clueless about how to connect with our child and keep him focused on learning. After extensive research and numerous conversations, we stumbled upon Polaris Academy. Our son is finally thriving in school for the first time ever. He’s more excited about school days than weekend days! He’s made friends and his learning achievements have skyrocketed. Our son’s confidence has soared to new heights. The staff at Polaris always puts the best interests of each child and parent at heart. They genuinely understand when your child is having a great day or when they’re struggling. In addition to supporting our son, Polaris also guides parents through life’s journey. We’ve never encountered anyone more understanding than our Polaris family. A heartfelt thank-you to all those who work tirelessly every day to help our kids reach their full potential. You are all incredibly amazing!”

- Caroline

(Parent)

“Me siento muy agradecida con Dios,por aver encontrado está academia Polaris Academy,para mí hijo,,al principio fue algo difícil para los dos,pero eso es normal he mirando cómo mi hijo a progresado grande mente,,todo el personal y maestros a todos muchas gracias por tratar a todos los niños humanamente,,les enseñan que todos los retos se pueden lograr y que no hay barreras, todo sueño,, se puede hacer realidad .. gracias Mrs. Lacy, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Kiana..Mr k.gracias a todas, y a todos,,” “I feel very grateful to God for having found this Polaris Academy for my son. At first it was a bit difficult for both of us, but that's normal. I've seen how my son has progressed greatly. All the staff and teachers thank you very much for treating all the children humanely. You teach them that all challenges can be achieved and that there are no barriers, every dream can come true. Thank you, Mrs. Lacy, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Kiana... Mr. K. Thank you all.”

- Yolonda

(Parent)

“Our autistic son was struggling with anxiety and socialization at school, leaving us uncertain about the best path forward or where to seek help. After researching services in our area, we discovered the Polaris Academy website. It introduced us to a new school under development in our community—one that addressed the very challenges we were facing and highlighted an Arizona scholarship program available to us. Initially, it seemed too good to be true, and we hesitated, wondering how our son could transition to an unfamiliar environment filled with unknowns. However, taking that first step to meet the staff and tour the school led to an incredible outcome: our son now attends a remarkable school that works closely with him to support his learning and growth. We are continually impressed by the dedication and hard work of the Polaris staff. Knowing our son is in an environment where he can thrive brings us immense peace of mind, and we feel deeply grateful to be part of the Polaris Academy community.”

- John

(Parnet)

Harrison has absolutely loved his first year at Polaris Academy. Before, getting him to school was a daily struggle—he would refuse to get up in the morning and didn’t want to go. Now, he wakes up excited and can’t wait to get there. The principal, teachers, and staff are incredible. They truly care about these kids and go above and beyond to support them. Since starting at Polaris, Harrison has blossomed—he’s making friends, talking more, and improving every single day. I know it’s because of the dedication and kindness of the people at this school. Choosing Polaris Academy for Harrison has been the best decision we’ve made for him.

- David

(Parent)

“Polaris Academy has been a place of safety, empowerment, community, and a place for everyone to belong for both staff and kids. It has been beautiful to watch students grow and cultivate connections and friendships that will last a lifetime because they cherish being able to finally connect with others who understand them. This company and community has built an amazing culture that allows staff members to be recognized, seen, and heard. There has been so many accomplishments as an educator to see students finding confidence and encouragement in new skills or in skills that were difficult before but now they feel safe enough to try to explore here in our school. I have watched littles work through tough social situations but ended up growing and developing deep connections with peers. I have watched students stick up and take care of other students when they are having a bad day or a tough moment. The amount of love and compassion my classroom has built for each other has began to pour out into the whole school and they look out for others even if they are still not as familiar to them from other classrooms. I love that Polaris has been such a positive school experience and there has been such an impact on so many lives already!”

- Nikki

(4,5,6 Teacher)