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About Our School

About Our School

ACES Academy is a Non-public school (NPS) owned and operated by ACES, a national provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. Established in 2004, ACES Academy serves students in first grade through transition age (18-22) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or other developmental disabilities. ACES Academy is located in Hillcrest, right in the heart of San Diego. Students are referred to our NPS by their home school district through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team process. The program at ACES Academy is individualized to meet each student’s unique needs and is based on the students’ IEP. We use ABA methodologies and evidence-based research to create interventions that lead to meaningful life changes. We offer a functional curriculum and a certificate of completion.

Why Choose ACES Academy

flexibility and autonomy

We believe that for students to meet their maximum potential, educational experiences must be individualized. Our small enrollment size of up to 16 students allows us to have tremendous amount of flexibility and autonomy. All students learn differently, and it is our job to make data informed decisions to ensure student success and growth. Our teachers have the flexibility to change the learning environment, curriculum, schedule, and materials to meet the individual needs of each student.

collaborative approach

We believe that to obtain meaningful change in every student, we must use a collaborative approach. Our Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and our fully credentialed Educational Specialists work closely with families to create successful interventions that can be implemented both at home and at school. In addition, all our 1:1 staff are Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and are trained in Crisis Prevention Interventions.

assume competency

We always assume competency. Although some of our students are non-verbal and have communication deficits, we treat every student as a competent individual who deserves love, respect, and to be treated with dignity.

compassionate

We are compassionate. Our students must feel safe, comfortable, and we must earn their trust before we can truly make meaningful change. We understand that having skill deficits in communication can be incredibly frustrating at times, and it is our job to support our students in finding effective replacement behaviors to get their needs met.

effective

Our program is effective. As an ABA based program, we take extensive data using an online platform, to ensure that our interventions are successful. We use ABA methodology to adjust or change our approach/intervention until we see meaningful results.

In-home Services

Lastly, ACES Academy is part of ACES 2020, LLC, a nationwide ABA company. Some of our students receive in home or clinic ABA services though ACES, enabling services to be streamlined and optimal collaboration.

our students

Our Students

We serve students with a primary disability of autism, moderate to severe intellectual disabilities, and multiple disabilities. Our students come from school districts located throughout the greater San Diego area. We specialize in students with severe communication, social, and behavioral deficits. Our cozy campus is made up of 3 separate buildings. The Yellow House serves school aged students from 1st-9th grade and students 16+ attend our transition program in our Transition House. Our Sensory house consists of a small gym and vocational task room, which enables our older students to complete mock vocational tasks to help prepare for employment.

Meet Our Team

Katie Fay's headshot'
Katie Fay is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a certified Moderate/Severe Education Specialist. Katie has spent over 15 years in the field of education, working in both a general education and special education setting. She has experience teaching PreK through high school in a variety of settings and schools. She joined the ACES team in the fall of 2021 and worked as both a Clinical Supervisor and Education Specialist for the Academy. Katie transitioned into the role of director of the Academy in the summer of 2022.

Katie Fay

M.A, BCBA

Director

Mia Pinkstaff's headshot'
Mia Pinkstaff is our Education Specialist and works with our Transition Program age students (Grades 9-12+) on vocational work, daily living, and self-help skills. Prior to starting at the Academy in July of 2023, Mia worked in the public schools in San Diego for the last 4 years, working as a Mild-Moderate Special Education teacher for students with a variety of disabilities. Mia was a Registered Behavior Technician for 2 years prior to becoming a Special Education teacher and into her first year of teaching. Mia is an energetic and compassionate teacher, focusing on individualized connection and strong rapport with each of her students.

Mia Pinkstaff

Education Specialist

Keri Rothman's headshot'
Keri Rothman is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the Education Specialist for our younger students (Grades 1- High School). Keri moved to San Diego in 2022 from Upstate New York, where she worked in an alternative school setting similar to The Academy. Keri has over eight years of experience as a special education teacher and was an Registered Behavior Technician for two years before becoming a BCBA in 2022. Keri's passion is personalizing learning for all of her students in creative ways, and teaching early literacy skills to developing readers.

Keri Rothman

M. Ed, BCBA

Education Specialist

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About Our Program

Individualized Academics

Academic Instruction takes place in small group settings and students are provided with 1:1 support if needed (and written on IEP). The teachers at ACES Academy are skilled in selecting materials, curriculums, and instructional methods to meet each student’s individual academic needs.

Community Learning

Community Based Instruction takes place in naturally occurring settings in the Hillcrest neighborhood. Students learn pedestrian safety skills, mobility skills, how to make purchases at community businesses, grocery shopping skills, restaurant skills, leisure skills, social skills and more.

Vocational Readiness

Vocational Training takes place both on-site and through our Community Based Instruction programs. Students can work in on-site simulated environments to learn skills for restaurant, office, and retail settings. We place an emphasis on learning vocational behavior skills that are necessary to work in all employment settings.

Life Skills Mastery

Independent Living Skills Training takes place on campus in our fully equipped kitchen and vocational spaces. Students learn to prepare food, use appliances, do laundry, complete chores, dress themselves, and complete daily hygiene skills. Skills are practiced naturally, during times throughout the school day, such as before or after P.E. or during mealtimes.

Therapeutic Support

Students receive speech and occupational therapy services from licensed speech language pathologists and occupational therapists to meet the students’ IEP needs.

Curriculum

ACES Academy utilizes numerous curriculum programs that may include, but are not limited to:

  • 95 Percent Group Phonics

  • Handwriting Without Tears

  • Attainment Math

  • Touch Math and Touch Money

  • News 2 You

  • Scholastic News

instructional

Instructional Methods

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

  • Direct Instruction

  • Structured Teaching (TEACCH)

  • Sensory Diets

  • Social Stories

  • Positive Behavior Support Plans

  • The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

About our company

About ACES

ACES is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families impacted with autism or other special needs. We provide comprehensive, professional services to maximize individuals’ potential in the home, school and community, throughout their lifespan. ACES offers ABA programming, group programming, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other programs and services that help children with Autism Spectrm Disorder master new skills. ACES provides children and their families with 24-hour access to resources and support through ABA On-Demand. This online resource offers telehealth-based intervention, parent workshops, activities, and so much more.