I initially had a very positive experience touring Hope Academy for Autism. The tour itself was informative, and I left feeling hopeful about the possibility of enrolling my son. Unfortunately, the experience after the tour has been extremely disappointing. I was told I would receive information and a link to complete the enrollment packet online, but months have gone by without any follow-up. There is no enrollment link or clear instructions on the website, making it impossible for families to even begin the process on their own. I made numerous attempts to call, only to encounter full voicemail boxes and no response. After finally reaching someone at the front desk, I explained that I had been waiting for months and still had no way to complete the enrollment packet or know whether my son had even been placed on the waiting list. I was assured that someone would contact me and send the information, but once again, nothing happened. As a parent of a child with autism, I understand that waiting lists exist, but communication and follow-through are essential. Families seeking services for their children are already navigating enough challenges and should not have to spend months chasing basic information. The lack of communication and poor customer service throughout this process have been extremely frustrating and inconsiderate of families' time. I am sharing my experience because I believe other parents deserve to know what to expect. While the tour left me with hope, the lack of responsiveness afterward has left me questioning whether this is the right environment for my child. I sincerely hope Hope Academy improves its communication and enrollment process so that other families do not experience the same difficulties. read more

Had a really great interaction experience during the process of scheduling our tour and even the tour went great, the girl was super nice and super helpful and informative. After leaving after we had done our tour and we got home we realized we forgot to ask what tuition costs each year since we were touring/interviewing other schools as well to find the perfect fit for our daughter. On 4/1 which was the day of our tour when we got home I emailed Hannah Mesinas right away with Cammie Shaul and Ashley DaSilva CC'd on the email requesting tuition info since we are getting ESA funding and wanted to make sure the price would work and didn't hear anything back, it has now been almost month and it's been crickets from them. During our tour the lady even said they would follow up a few days after the tour and also nobody followed up with us. Because of this experience and the non communication issue we will be going with a different school who has been nothing but amazing with their communication. Communication as parent with an autistic child is VERY important and honestly we had hoped our experience would've been much better as they were one of the top schools on our list even before touring. Hopefully this review can help them not lose other families in the future. read more

I had mixed feelings about Hope Academy. There were definitely things I liked, but something happened that really changed my opinion. Toward the end, I became very upset and decided to withdraw my son before the school year even started. The reason? They made major decisions about his placement without ever consulting me. Initially, my son was placed in a higher-functioning class. He faced some challenges, but I truly believe now that those struggles weren't his fault. During the summer--after his IEP meeting--they made an executive decision to move him into a much lower-functioning class without my knowledge or input. While I have nothing but love and respect for the students in that class, it simply wasn't the right educational environment for my son, Logan. He was already falling behind when he started at Hope, and instead of collaborating with me, they assured me he'd "go at his own pace." That wasn't good enough, especially after being excluded from decisions that directly affected him. I chose to pull him out and enroll him in 8th grade at American Leadership Academy. Fast forward: he just finished his first term of 9th grade with a 3.85 GPA, taking Algebra, Biology, Dual Enrollment classes, ASL, and more. Transferring him out of Hope Academy was absolutely the right choice--he finally has a real chance to thrive. read more

I don't usually leave reviews, but as a parent of an autistic child, I feel like I need to warn other families about our experience with Hope Academy for Autism in Mesa, Arizona. From the very beginning, things felt off. I asked the administrator with short hair and glasses if they could send me the exact amount to pay for my daughter's tuition because ESA takes a fee--and instead, she asked me for my ESA login info. That was a huge red flag. No one should be asking for access to my private ESA account. It made me wonder how they've been handling other parents' funds. They're also very understaffed, but instead of being upfront, they tried to blame one single teacher for all the class cancellations. That teacher only had one para helping her, and they were expected to manage 12 students with special needs. When I raised concerns about how the school was being run and how the staff wasn't being supported, I was told I needed to reschedule a meeting because they suspected I was recording. I want to be clear -- I was recording the meeting as it helps me take notes and retain information better, especially in stressful situations. Arizona is a one-party consent state, so this was completely legal. Still, the administration acted like this was a problem, which felt very suspicious and defensive. On another visit, I walked in and saw a couple of toddlers behind the front desk, surrounded by four administrators. I asked if those kids were students, and the same administrator with short hair and glasses told me they have daycare for staff. That really shocked me -- this is a school that's constantly canceling classes due to being "understaffed," yet they somehow have a daycare going on in the front office? It made me seriously question their priorities. I also needed to get a new MET re-evaluation for my daughter, so I reached out to persons (whose name is also listed under the LLC that owns the school). Instead of helping me get the paperwork, she completely redirected the conversation to tuition money. I never said I wasn't paying -- my issue was that she refused to give me my daughter's educational documents and was more concerned about money than what my daughter needed. That was a huge red flag. Later, I realized 3 or the staff members all have the same last name, and when I originally asked who the LLC was registered under, I couldn't get a straight answer. That, combined with all the other sketchy behavior, made me feel like they're not being transparent at all -- especially when public funds like ESA are involved. To be honest, I truly believe this school is taking advantage of overwhelmed parents who are just trying to find help for their children -- many of whom are non-speaking and can't speak up for themselves. Hope Academy for Autism markets itself like a place that understands and supports autistic kids, but my experience was the opposite. I felt like the staff was under pressure, the administration was disorganized, and the focus was more on money than actual support. I've since pulled my daughter out. If you're considering Hope Academy for Autism in Mesa, AZ -- please be careful. Ask lots of questions. Get everything in writing. Pay attention to your gut. We as parents are already carrying so much, and we don't need to be taken advantage of too. read more

My son attends this school and it is the best they attend to his every need I have seen such great improvement in my son since starting here he started his junior high year and is now moving to his sophomore year the staff is great and amazing I never once have had an issue in concerns to my son or how he's treated or doing in this school can't say for the previous years in public school which I though as a parent was a great idea don't get me wrong it works for some students but for mine and myself public school was not suitable for my son and this school has open new doors and amazing curriculum that fits perfectly for my son Thank You To the most amazing principal as Well Mrs.Rosemarie and the great staff to the front desk to the teachers and everyone that makes this school possible and amazing. Thank You read more

We have found our village at Hope Academy! From our tour to his first day of school came with so much peace. My son will begin his third year at Hope and I couldn't be more excited for him. Communication, consistency, acceptance, open doors and love fuel the future my son is building! The many events and opportunities for Hope families to socialize, the teachers and the staff ate things I am always thrilled to share with parents looking for a home for their child. We toured other schools in the east valley and from the moment I walked through the doors at Hope Academy I KNEW if I found the right school for him. His has grown academically, socially and in his independence. I can't share enough positive things, or this would be a book, please see for yourself! read more

I was excited about this program for my son but wanted to verify what training requirements and licensing the teachers and staff are required to obtain when working with autistic children. It's been a couple weeks now and no one has responded to my emails or called me back. Red flag to say the least! Make sure to ask all the questions before putting your children in the hands of people who are not qualified read more

My son has been attending Hope Academy since kindergarten. I always feel at ease dropping him off at school because of how well they treat him. Not only his social skills have improved, but his academics and behaviors have as well. Every teacher and employee have shown respect and love towards my son. Its not easy having a child with a disability and knowing he is safe at his school helps the stress of parent. Thank you Hope Academy for Autism. Im forever grateful. read more

Hope for autism academy has been a savior for my family. Every year my daughter has continue to progress. They have the best stuff sharing nurturing and most important understandable. My daughter gets so excited to go to school every morning. My daughter has come a long way. Trust me when I tell you I did my research. There is no other school like this school. I am thankful everyday that this school was opened and I am grateful now that they are opening another location in Chandler. My only issue is that they open a school and every city in Phoenix. So that all the children with autism can experience this school. read more

Administration couldn't care less about meeting children's needs! Communication is nonexistent and will never hand over an incident report. That being said, every teacher my son had was the best there is. Admin should go! read more