Located in Hidden Valley of Charlotte, NC, Ignite Achievement Academy offers comprehensive educational programs for students with autism spectrum disorder. At Ignite Achievement Academy, we understand that students with autism have diverse learning styles and require individualized approaches to education. Our Hidden Valley location provides a supportive, structured environment where students with autism can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, with specialized autism education programs designed to meet the unique needs of each student.

Serving the Hidden Valley Community with Excellence

Our North Charlotte campus is specifically equipped to serve students with a wider range of needs than our South Charlotte location, making our Hidden Valley facility the premier choice for families seeking autism education in North Charlotte. Conveniently located for residents of Hidden Valley, Derita, Mineral Springs, College Downs, and surrounding 28213 zip code areas, our campus is accessible and designed with your child's needs in mind.

Our Approach to Autism Education in Hidden Valley

At our North Campus, we embrace a comprehensive approach to autism education that combines evidence-based practices with personalized learning strategies. We recognize that each student with autism has unique strengths, challenges, and learning styles, and our programs are designed to address these individual needs.

Individualized Academic Plans

Every student at Ignite Achievement Academy receives an Individualized Academic Plan that outlines specific goals, accommodations, and teaching approaches. For our students with autism, these plans are developed with careful consideration of:

• Sensory processing needs and accommodations
• Communication style and preferences
• Social interaction goals and supports
• Academic strengths and areas for growth
• Behavioral support strategies
• Life skills development

Our academic team works closely with families to ensure that each student's plan is tailored to their unique profile, providing the right balance of support and challenge to promote growth and independence.

Low Student-to-Teacher Ratios

Our Hidden Valley campus maintains small class sizes with excellent teacher-to-student ratios, ensuring that each student receives the attention and support they need. For our autism education programs, classes typically have:

• Maximum of 4-6 students per classroom
• A certified special education teacher
• Support from teaching assistants
• Integration with speech-language pathologists throughout the day

This level of personalized attention allows our educators to implement individualized strategies effectively and respond promptly to each student's needs.

Specialized Programs for Autism Education at Our Hidden Valley Location

The North Charlotte campus offers specialized programs specifically designed for students with autism spectrum disorder, providing a continuum of services to meet diverse needs.

BEACON Program

Our BEACON program at the Hidden Valley campus is dedicated to serving students with speech and behavioral disabilities, making it particularly beneficial for many students with autism. With class sizes averaging just four students per teacher plus the support of a Speech-Language Pathologist, we ensure each child receives the individualized care and instruction they need.

The BEACON program includes:

• Extremely small class sizes for personalized attention
• Speech-language pathologists who co-teach alongside classroom teachers
• Hands-on curriculum and sensory experiences
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support
• Full participation in school activities including cooking, woodshop, PE, music, and art

Support for Non-speaking and Limited-speaking Students

Our Hidden Valley campus is uniquely equipped to support non-speaking and limited-speaking students with autism. We provide:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and training
• A curriculum specifically designed to incorporate AAC usage
• Dedicated speech therapy services integrated throughout the school day
• Visual supports, communication boards, and other tools to facilitate communication

Functional Life and Academic Meaningful Experience (FLAME) Program

For high school students with autism who are focused on life skills and transition planning, our FLAME program offers:

• Practical life skills training
• Community-based learning opportunities
• Vocational skills development
• Functional academics tied to real-world applications
• Transition planning for post-secondary life

Campus Features Supporting Autism Education in Hidden Valley

Our North Charlotte campus features specialized facilities designed to support students with autism and create an optimal learning environment.

Dedicated Sensory Room

A highlight of our Hidden Valley campus is our large, dedicated sensory room designed to provide a calming and therapeutic environment. This space is equipped with:

• Soft lighting options and lighting projectors
• Flexible and comfortable seating
• Private "nooks" and tents for sensory breaks
• Beanbag chairs and weighted comfort items
• Bubble tubes and visual stimulation tools
• Balance stones, therapy balls, and movement equipment
• Sensory swings and proprioceptive input tools
• Water features with soothing sounds
• Various sensory bins with diverse activities

Our sensory room provides students with a safe space to regulate their sensory experiences, calm themselves when overwhelmed, and develop self-regulation skills under guidance.

Technology Integration

Students at our Hidden Valley campus benefit from our 1:1 technology program, with each student receiving either a laptop or iPad based on age and ability. This technology supports:

• Communication for non-speaking or limited-speaking students
• Independent work completion
• Research skills development
• Technology life skills
• Academic reinforcement

All devices are monitored for safety and appropriate use.

Our Expert Staff in Hidden Valley

Our North Charlotte campus employs a team of professionals with specialized training and experience in autism education.

Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Students with autism at our Hidden Valley location benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to education, with access to:

• Certified special education teachers with autism expertise
• Speech-language pathologists integrated into classrooms
• Specialists in augmentative and alternative communication
• Experts in applied behavior analysis principles
• Curriculum specialists who adapt materials for diverse learners

Professional Development

Our staff members regularly participate in professional development focused on best practices in autism education, ensuring that they remain current with the latest research and techniques. This commitment to ongoing learning allows us to implement evidence-based strategies that promote student success.

What Hidden Valley Families Say About Our Programs

Our Hidden Valley campus has made a significant impact on the lives of students with autism and their families in North Charlotte.

"We are continually amazed at how individualized the learning structure is at Ignite Achievement Academy. They look at every student as an individual with unique talents, gifts, and challenges. Other schools we have attended require the students to fit into their standardized formula, never truly meeting the child where they are in their individual development. Because Ignite Achievement Academy looks at the whole child, we feel we now have a support system not only for our son's academic growth but also his social and personal development as well." 

"Ignite Achievement Academy has changed our life. We are amazed at the personalized attention and the individualized program our son is receiving. The structure that this program provides has created the optimal learning environment for him to thrive. It is wonderful to see our child gaining skills and confidence in a manner that is designed specifically to capitalize on his strengths while supporting him in the areas that are a struggle." 

Tuition and Financial Support for Hidden Valley Families

Tuition Information

The yearly tuition for our standard program at Ignite Achievement Academy is $27,250, while the BEACON program, which provides additional support that many students with autism require, has a tuition of $33,000.

North Carolina Education Funding Options

Families in Hidden Valley and throughout Charlotte have access to several state funding options that can significantly offset or fully cover tuition costs:

• ESA+ Program: Awards scholarships of $9,000 or $17,000 (depending on the child's disability) that can be used toward private school tuition
• Opportunity Scholarship Program: Provides annual scholarships ranging from $3,000-$7,000 based on household income
• Combined Funding: These scholarships can be used together to maximize financial support

Our administrative team is experienced in helping families navigate these funding options and is available to provide guidance throughout the application process.

Serving Hidden Valley and North Charlotte Communities

Our North Charlotte campus is ideally located to serve families from:

• Hidden Valley
• Mineral Springs
• College Downs
• Derita
• Highland Creek
• Mallard Creek
• Northeast Charlotte neighborhoods
• All areas in and around the 28213 zip code

Easy Access from Throughout Hidden Valley

Our campus is conveniently located at 3835 W. WT Harris Blvd, in the southeasternmost building, accessed via Brookstone Drive. This location provides easy access from major thoroughfares and neighborhoods throughout Hidden Valley and North Charlotte.

Schedule a Tour of Our Hidden Valley Campus

We invite families from Hidden Valley and surrounding neighborhoods to schedule a tour of our school to see firsthand how our autism education programs could benefit your child.

During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Tour our specialized facilities
• Meet with our dedicated staff
• Learn more about our individualized approach
• Discuss your child's specific needs and goals
• Explore funding options

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Hidden Valley Autism Programs

Q: What ages do you serve at the Hidden Valley campus?

A: Our North Charlotte campus serves students in grades K-12 with a variety of learning barriers, including autism spectrum disorder. We also offer programs for students up to age 21 through our FLAME program.

Q: How do you determine if Ignite Achievement Academy is right for my child with autism?

A: Our admissions process includes meeting with parents to learn about your child's needs, reviewing records from previous schools, possibly arranging a shadow day, and administering placement assessments to determine the appropriate instructional plan.

Q: What makes your Hidden Valley campus different from other autism programs in Charlotte?

A: Our North Charlotte campus offers several unique features, including extremely small class sizes, integrated speech therapy services, a dedicated sensory room, and specialized programs like BEACON and FLAME that cater to different levels of need. We also provide a 1:1 technology program and emphasize individualized academic plans.

Q: How do you address communication needs for non-speaking students with autism?

A: Our Hidden Valley campus strongly encourages the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and provides support through integrated speech therapy and a curriculum designed specifically to incorporate AAC usage. Our speech-language pathologists can also assist families in obtaining appropriate devices.

Q: Can I use the NC ESA+ scholarship at Ignite Achievement Academy?

A: Yes, we accept both the NC ESA+ scholarship and the Opportunity Scholarship. Many families combine these funding sources to significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket tuition expenses.

Take the Next Step for Your Child's Education in Hidden Valley

Ignite Achievement Academy's North Charlotte campus provides specialized, compassionate education for students with autism in the Hidden Valley community. With our individualized approach, specialized facilities, and dedicated staff, we create an environment where students with autism can develop academically, socially, and emotionally.

Contact us today at 704.302.1143 or visit our campus at 3835 W. WT Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28269 to learn how we can support your child's unique journey.