Austin Centers for Exceptional Students (“The ACES”), a special education school serving students with diverse academic and behavioral needs in Arizona and Colorado, today announced it has been recognized for excellence in education programming, support services, and outcomes. This marks the ninth consecutive year that the National Association of Special Education Teachers (“NASET”) has named The ACES a School of Excellence.
The School of Excellence designation is the highest recognition awarded by NASET to private special education schools and underscores The ACES’ ongoing commitment to delivering individualized instruction and comprehensive behavioral, emotional, and academic support designed to foster growth, resilience, and long-term success.
“This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the work happening in our classrooms every day,” said Brian Esterly, Chief Executive Officer of The ACES. “For nearly a decade, we have been recognized by NASET because of the unwavering dedication of our staff, students and families, who make excellence possible every single day.”
During the 2025-2026 academic year, The ACES collectively supported more than 1,200 students with unique academic and behavioral needs, providing a structured and supportive educational environment that helps them build critical behavioral, emotional, and academic skills. The schools also saw continued success in student transitions to less restrictive environments, along with grade level promotions and senior graduations—further demonstrating measurable academic and developmental progress.
“At The ACES, we are focused on helping students build the behavioral, emotional, and academic skills necessary to achieve meaningful, lasting progress,” said Garen Austin, Chief Operating Officer of The ACES. “We thank and congratulate our staff for their deep commitment to meeting each student where they are to help them take the first steps toward returning to mainstream education and for their long-term success.”
About The Austin Centers for Exceptional Students
The ACES is a specialized education provider in Arizona and Colorado dedicated to supporting students with unique academic and behavioral needs through individualized learning programs. With a focus on helping students overcome challenges and achieve their goals, The ACES offers a structured, supportive environment designed to foster growth, resilience, and long-term success.
The school’s multidisciplinary teams address students’ academic, emotional, and behavioral development, supported by a low student-to-staff ratio that enables personalized attention. Serving families across more than 100 school districts and charter schools, The ACES is committed to helping students build the skills needed to thrive and transition successfully to less restrictive environments.
At The ACES, student achievement remains the top priority, with every aspect of the program designed to help each learner succeed with confidence and opportunity.
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