Taking to the road to build social and vocational skills – LEARN Academy of Scottsdale, AZ, awarded new van

LEARN Academy, formerly Chrysalis Academy, a state-approved private day school in Scottsdale serving students with autism and related disorders in grades K-12, has received a donation of a new van to enhance student learning opportunities beyond the classroom.

The new minivan, valued at $80K, was donated by the Chrysalis Academy Parents Association (CAPA), a non-profit organization that helps support the unique and special needs of the students, as well as contributes to their supportive learning environment.

The 12-person van accommodates five to six students along with support staff and will be utilized throughout the week for school-related activities. Operating within a 10-15 mile radius of the campus, the vehicle will provide transportation for both education and community-based experiences.

As the school’s first official transportation, the new van enables students to travel beyond the school campus to work on activities of daily living, communication, life, and vocational skills.

For high school students, the van is used for vocational training, providing transportation to businesses where they can gain essential skills and job experience. These opportunities may include positions such as stock associates, cashiers, and other community-based employment roles.

The van is also used to transport younger students on field trips to restaurants, stores, and other outings, helping these students gain experience in their community beyond the school environment. They will be exposed to new settings and new social opportunities. Students will have opportunities to strengthen communication skills, learn how to make purchases, order food, exchange money, and engage appropriately with community members.

“Many of our students need the extra help of our support staff, and we’ve received positive feedback from parents who are thrilled that their children are able to get out in the community and obtain success beyond the home and school environment,” said Abbie Tavizon, M.Ed, BCBA, LBA, Site Administrator for LEARN Academy Scottsdale. “The new van facilitates an important opportunity for students to engage in the community and develop necessary skills for success.”

About LEARN Academy Scottsdale

LEARN Academy (formerly Chrysalis Academy) in Scottsdale is an Arizona Department of Education-approved private day school for children with autism and related disorders in grades K-12+, based in south Scottsdale, AZ. LEARN Academy is contracted to provide educational services to more than 12 school districts in the state.

For more information about the Scottsdale campus, visit https://thelearnacademy.com/locations/scottsdale

For more information or to support the Chrysalis Academy Parents Association (CAPA), visit www.chrysalisacademyparentassociation.org

About LEARN Academy

LEARN Academy partners with schools across the country to strengthen special education and academic intervention programs and prepare students for success beyond the classroom. LEARN Academy provides expert support in special education compliance, behavioral health, and academic programming, all designed to help students reach their full potential. To learn how LEARN Academy can help schools teach meaningful vocational and life skills, visit thelearnacademy.com. 

LEARN Academy is part of LEARN Behavioral, a national leader in autism treatment, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With a nationwide network of ABA providers and Learning Centers across the country, LEARN delivers the highest standard of evidence-based care—customized to meet the unique needs and interests of each child and family. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.