Welcome to Autism Inspired Academy: What Families and the Community Should Know

 

If you have been searching for a school designed specifically for autistic students in Pinellas County, you have probably found yourself sorting through a lot of options that do not quite fit. Public programs, private therapies, homeschool co-ops, and specialized schools all present themselves as solutions, but they are not all the same, and neither are the students they serve. Autism Inspired Academy exists because one size has never worked for autistic learners. We are a private K-12 school in Clearwater, Florida, built from the ground up for students who learn, communicate, and experience the world differently. We are excited to welcome both new and existing families and share who we are, what we offer, and how we think about education for autistic students.

 

Our Story

Autism Inspired Academy began not as a school, but as a summer camp. In 2017, Cher Harris, along with Phillip and Elizabeth Russell, launched a summer program for eight autistic students in Clearwater. The goal was simple: create a safe, structured space where children could connect and grow. What they discovered was that the right environment changed everything for those students and their families. In 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic, they took the next step and opened Autism Inspired Academy as a full K-12 school with 28 students. The timing was unconventional, but the conviction behind it was not. By 2024, AIA had outgrown its original campus. Through a partnership with a local nonprofit school and financing from the Florida Community Loan Fund, AIA purchased a larger campus in Pinellas Park. Today, more than 135 students thrive at AIA, supported by expanded programs, trained educators, and a growing community that believes autistic students deserve a school built specifically for them. The 2026-2027 school year marks another milestone: the launch of AIA’s Transition Program for students ages 18 to 22, extending the school’s support into the years that matter most for long-term independence and adult life.

 

What We Believe

Everything at AIA is conceptualized from one mission: empowering students with autism to have lives of meaning, purpose, and joy. Five core values shape how we pursue that mission every day.

 

We are trustworthy. Families place enormous trust in us when they bring their children here, and we take that seriously in every interaction and every decision.

We are compassionate. We meet each student and each family where they are, without judgment, and with genuine care for what they are navigating.

We are coachable. We are always learning, always improving, and always open to feedback from students, families, and each other.

We are team players. The work of supporting autistic students requires coordination across every adult in the building. We do not work in silos.

We are committed to excellence. We hold high expectations for our students and for ourselves, and we do not settle for good enough when better is possible.

 

These values are the standard we hold ourselves to and the culture families walk into when they visit AIA.

 

What Autism Inspired Academy Is

AIA is a private school serving autistic students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, located in Clearwater, Florida, serving families across Pinellas County and the greater Tampa Bay area. Unlike a therapy clinic or a modified version of a general education classroom, AIA is a school, with academics, structure, routines, and relationships designed specifically around the way autistic students learn best. Every element of the daily experience, from how classrooms are organized to how behavior is supported to how families are kept informed, was built with autistic students and families in mind.

 

Two Pathways, One Mission

One of the things families notice quickly about AIA is that we do not take a single approach to academics. We offer two distinct educational pathways because autistic students are not a monolithic group. Academic profiles, communication needs, support requirements, and long-term goals vary significantly from one student to the next, therefore pathways to success and programs are rooted in this standard.

 

Pathway 1: Standards-Based Academic Program

Pathway 1 is designed for students who are performing academically within approximately two to three years of their grade level and benefit from individualized support in a structured learning environment. Students in Pathway 1 work toward a standard high school diploma through standards-based curriculum that is differentiated to meet each student’s needs. Course offerings include English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and a range of electives including coding, digital information technology, horticulture, and workforce readiness. Florida Virtual School options are available when appropriate to expand course offerings while maintaining the consistency and support students need.

AIA is actively building partnerships with institutions including Saint Petersburg College and Pinellas Technical College to expand dual enrollment and trade certification opportunities. The goal of Pathway 1 is for students to graduate with academic confidence, practical skills, increased independence, and a clear plan for college, career training, or workforce entry.

 

Pathway 2: Functional and Skills-Based Program

Pathway 2 is designed for students who benefit from a modified academic program with a strong focus on functional learning, communication, and preparation for adult life. Students in Pathway 2 are building the skills that will allow them to participate fully in adult life, including daily living, workforce readiness, and community navigation. Pathway 2 classrooms maintain a supportive 5:1 student-to-staff ratio, allowing educators to provide consistent, hands-on instruction throughout the day. A core component of Pathway 2 is enterprise-based learning through programs like Shark Bites Cafe and the Inspired Farm, where students practice communication, teamwork, responsibility, and workplace routines in real settings.

AIA also collaborates with Florida’s Vocational Rehabilitation program to support access to pre-employment skills and future planning for Pathway 2 students. Both pathways share the same commitment to individualized support, family partnership, and long-term outcomes. The difference is in how that commitment is expressed for each student.

 

The Transition Program: Ages 18 to 22

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, AIA introduced its Transition Program for students ages 18 to 22. This program is currently available to current AIA students only. Families may choose to defer high school graduation to continue receiving educational services through age 22, allowing additional time to strengthen skills and prepare for adulthood. The Transition Program focuses on continued academic and functional goal development, workforce readiness and vocational exploration, independent living and self-advocacy skills, and community-based learning experiences. The goal is to support young adults in developing the confidence and readiness needed for meaningful adult lives, including employment, community involvement, and greater independence. Local businesses and organizations play a direct role in this program through job shadow opportunities, internships, mock interviews, and supported employment placements.

 

How We Think About Behavior

Behavior is one of the areas where AIA’s approach differs most significantly from other educational settings. We do not view behavior as something to eliminate, instead we consider it communication. Our behavioral support is built around teaching skills rather than reacting to challenges. When a student is struggling, the first question we ask is not what did they do, but what are they telling us. Students are supported through consistent routines, visual supports, explicit skill teaching, and relationship-based strategies that respect autonomy and dignity. Behavioral expectations are consistent across every classroom and setting in the building. When students encounter the same language and the same expectations everywhere they go, the environment becomes predictable and navigable. That predictability is not incidental. It is part of how learning becomes possible. We also use the Zones of Regulation across the school, a shared framework that gives students a common language for understanding and communicating their emotional state. Sensory support and scheduled breaks are built into the school day.

 

It is worth clarifying as families explore the right fit for their child: AIA is not an ABA clinic. We are an academic school that takes behavior seriously because we understand how closely connected behavior, communication, and learning really are. Our focus is on regulation, communication, and skill-building, not compliance.

 

Therapy and Provider Partnerships

AIA partners with licensed ABA providers and outside therapy providers to support students during the school day. These services are coordinated with families and delivered by outside providers who work alongside our team. Nineteen therapy partners provided consistent support to AIA students last year, including speech and language services to 43 students. When appropriate, AIA aligns strategies with outside providers to promote consistency between school and home, reducing stress for students and ensuring carryover of skills across settings. Families are central partners in this process. Parents help guide priorities while the AIA team supports skill development and continuity throughout the school day. It is also important for families to understand that in some cases, a student’s support needs may exceed what can be safely provided in a school-based setting. When this happens, AIA works with families and providers to determine next steps that best support the student.

 

Social and Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning at AIA is not a separate class or a weekly program. It is intentionally woven throughout the school day. Students are supported in developing emotional awareness, self-regulation, functional communication, positive peer interactions, and growing independence. Curriculum and frameworks used across the school include Zones of Regulation, Superflex, Thinking About You Thinking About Me, and Social Detective. These tools give students a consistent, shared language for navigating social situations, understanding emotions, and building the relational skills that support both academic and life success.

 

Programs Beyond the School Day

AIA offers more than a standard school day. Extended care is available before and after school to support working families and provide additional structure for students. Before-school care begins at 7:15 AM and after-school care runs until 5:00 PM. AIA also offers a Summer Camp program that blends fun, learning, and social growth in a supportive, sensory-aware setting. The summer program is an extension of the same philosophy that guides the school year: structure, relationships, and genuine enjoyment that works for autistic students.

 

What Families Experience at AIA

Parents who come to AIA often tell us they spent years feeling like they had to fight for their child in educational settings. That is not the experience we want families to have here. At AIA, families are active partners, not passive recipients of information. You will hear from your child’s team regularly. You will know what is working and what is being adjusted. You will be part of the conversation about your child’s goals, not brought in after decisions have already been made. We also understand that choosing a school is one of the most significant decisions a family can make. We want you to feel informed, supported, and confident, not sold to. Placement decisions are made collaboratively, guided by ongoing assessment, student growth, and family partnership, and they are revisited over time as students’ needs evolve.

 

Scholarships and Financial Aid

AIA believes every child deserves access to the education they need, regardless of financial circumstances. The Florida School Choice Scholarships are valuable tools available to families considering AIA. Additional financial aid options may be available. Families are encouraged to reach out to discuss what options may apply to their situation.

 

If you are exploring AIA for your child, the best next step is to schedule a tour. Visiting the school in person gives you a chance to see the environment, meet the team, and ask the questions that matter most to your family. We are glad you found us, and we look forward to the conversation.

Schedule a Tour or Reach Out: autisminspired.org