Southwest Academy (Phoenix)

2022-2023 School Calendar

September Newsletter (PDF)

PBIS Matrix

Like all Menta schools, SWA Academy’s guiding principle is “we will never give up.” SWA is deeply committed to developing innovative strategies for ensuring that the children in our programs are not left behind. We maintain high expectations for our students, in terms of both academic and social-emotional growth, countering the prevailing prejudices commonly found in the education of children with disabilities. We understand the necessity of preparing students for success in post-secondary education, in careers, and as productive citizens of a changing 21st century world. Similarly, we maintain high expectations for ourselves as educators, using data and the problem-solving process to continue to improve our program and ensure positive outcomes for all of our students.

The staff at SWA is dedicated to seeing each child reaches their potential in becoming 3-C Ready: College Ready, Career Ready, and Citizenship Ready. Educational services are intended to meet both the developmental and individual learning needs of each student. Classrooms are designed to be active learning environments where young people have the opportunity to experience educational and behavioral success on a daily basis.

In addition to providing a rigorous and excellent education for students, Southwest Academy provides a temporary short-term placement (Alternative to Suspension) for students who would otherwise be suspended from their home schools. Local districts use ATS for both special education students and general education students. This reduces the number of out of school suspensions for their special education students and the likelihood of repeat behaviors. ATS provides a safe educational environment with support to help the student reintegrate successfully into their home schools.

At SWA we provide for the academic and social emotional needs of high-risk children and adolescents, ages 5 through 22. We have a no refusal, no suspension, no expulsion policy, offering a continuum of services to meet the educational needs of this challenging student population. We believe that every child can and will learn. Our goal is to ensure that all students master the academic and social skills necessary for an independent and productive life. We create an Optimal Learning Environment that is well structured, engaging, safe, instructional, and responsive to students needs.

SWA services students from nine surrounding school districts.

ACCREDITATION

• SWA is approved under the Arizona Board of Education as a Private Therapeutic Day school serving students with primary disabilities of Autism, MIID, MOID, DD, ED, OHI, LD, SLD, and TBI.
• Approved Free and Reduced Lunch Provider through Arizona State Board of Education.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS and/or PARTNERSHIPS
The Menta Group affiliates are members/partners with CEC, CASE, Autism Speaks, ASBA, AAPSEC, AASA, CCSSO, SEAA, ASCD, and many more associations that focus on the education of children with disabilities.