Autism & Twice-ExceptionalIs Gateway
the right fit?

Yes. Every student here has an autism diagnosis, and every student here is academically capable. Both of those are true on the same day, which is the thing this school is built around.

Not on its own. Gateway is built for students who are academically bright and have an autism diagnosis. Plenty of students here also have ADHD, anxiety, or a learning difference alongside it, and all of that is supported during the day. If ADHD is the whole picture, a college-prep school with strong support services is usually the better fit, and we will say so on the phone instead of putting you through a tour first.

Yes. An autism diagnosis, or an IEP that lists autism as the category, is what admissions looks for. For a diagnosis, the document is a neuropsychological evaluation from a psychologist, psychiatrist or other clinician, covering academics, social-emotional needs, autism testing and IQ. It does not have to be recent, though we will ask for current documentation so we understand what your student needs now. Bring whatever you have, including a 504 plan, and admissions will tell you what applies.

Gateway writes its own plan. Faculty and counselors write an individualized plan for each student: a secondary readiness plan in middle school, which gets them ready for high school, and a college and career readiness plan in high school. Families receive it at the December parent conferences.

Counseling, social skills, executive functioning, pragmatic language, and sensory strategies are integrated into every day. Social skills is taught as a class through UCLA PEERS rather than as an afterthought. Sensory support comes from all of the teachers, with tools like fidgets, a choice of seat such as a yoga ball, wiggle seat or swivel chair, headphones, and chewing gum. A student can also take a break in the Peace Room, walk the atrium, or visit Apollo and Athena, our therapy dogs, who are on site every day.

Most are not, and that is on purpose. Every Gateway teacher is a certified teacher and a subject-matter expert, because a teacher who loves their subject is often what wins a student over in the subject they like least. Special education is the specialty of our Learning Support Coordinator, on the leadership team, who works with students who have learning disabilities.

$0 Tuition with Arizona ESA. Most families qualify through an autism diagnosis or a current IEP. True $0 can depend on your school district, so admissions will walk you through what applies to your family.

Gateway Academy is at 3939 E. Shea Blvd. in Phoenix, at the base of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, serving grades 6 through 12. Families come from across the Valley, including Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and North Phoenix.