Our Mission
To provide exceptional educational, behavioral, therapeutic and vocational programs to individuals with special needs, to give them the necessary skills to learn to work and live successfully with dignity and independence.
Our Vision
A life of dignity and
self-worth.


Our Core Values
Initiative
We demonstrate leadership and self-direction in accomplishing our goals.
Dignity
We respect the dignity and difference of all individuals and treat everyone with respect under all circumstances.
Excellence
We strive to maintain the highest standards of integrity and performance at all levels within the organization.
Accountability
We are personally accountable and responsible for our behavior and our results.
Service
We are passionate about meeting the needs of our clients, employees, community and society and are committed to ensuring quality service.
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Meet ACCEL Staff






Board of Directors
Christopher Duncan
Farmer Woods Group
Chair
James Barham
Phoenix IDA
Julia Kolsrud
Associate, May, Potenza, Baran & Gillespie, P.C.
Brooke Waldron
Community Member
Keith & Stephanie Farmer
ACCEL Parents
Scott Taubman
Ameriprise Financial Services
Our History
-
1980
ACCEL is founded as a small school for 49 students with special needs
-
1995
ACCEL establishes its East Campus in Tempe, Arizona
-
1999
Began consulting services, which would later expand to include post-secondary evaluations, therapeutic evaluation, behavioral consultation, and Model Classroom© implementation
-
2002
ACCEL Adult Services (AAS) is established
-
2004
ACCEL moved to our current Metro Campus
-
2005
ACCEL began offering ABA services through BCBAs on our school campuses
-
2009
The BISTÅ Center is established
-
2009
ACCEL achieved accreditation from the National Commission for the Accreditation of Special Needs Services, the only agency in Arizona to have done so. Reaccreditation was awarded in 2013 and 2017
-
2009
Created the Model Classroom Program© in collaboration with Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University
-
2010
Established multiple satellite classrooms on public school campuses
-
2011
The Model Classroom Program© is awarded the Leadership & Innovation in Special Education Award from the National Association of Private Special Education Centers
-
2017
ACCEL opens a satellites in Tonopah and strengthens satellite programming in Buckeye
-
2018
AAS expands to ACCEL’s Tonopah satellite site.