Arizona Autism Charter Schools cuts ribbon on seventh statewide campus in Tucson

Arizona Autism Charter Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for its new upper campus in Tucson. The building is the organization’s seventh campus statewide and will serve students in grades six through 12.

The campus is expected to serve about 120 students when fully enrolled. Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 3, with students moving into the new building.

Amara Hudgin said her son, Wyatt, is entering eighth grade and his experience at the school has changed dramatically. Before enrolling, she said, he often spent school days alone and the family had also tried homeschooling. Now, she said, he looks forward to school and talks about his friends.

The larger campus will allow the school to expand hands-on and work-based learning. Starting next year, students are expected to have access to a culinary arts class that can help them earn food handler’s licenses before graduation. The school’s co-founder and CEO said the organization has grown from serving 90 students in 2014 to more than 1,300 students statewide.