A Step Up Academy (ASUA) is a licensed Special Education school for children with autism in grades preschool through twelfth grade.
Our lower school is located on the grounds of the Abington Friends Meetinghouse in Jenkintown, PA. Our upper school is located at the Annex in Abington, PA. ASUA was established and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in August 2013.
ASUA's mission is to prepare students to become engaged participants in society by developing innovative academic, social, emotional, and behavioral programming as well as impactful community partnerships. We believe in preparing our students for the community and preparing the community for our students.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Special Education School
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
- Enrollment: 58 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Autism, Speech and Language Impairments, Specific Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disturbance, Other Health Impairment
Year Founded
2013
Summer School Offered
Yes
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
58 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
31%
State avg.: 27%
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
13 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
National avg.: 13:1
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Admissions Director
Jamie Jenkins
School Notes
- A Step Up Academy (ASUA)is a licensed Special Education school for children with autism in grades preschool through twelfth grade. Our lower school is located on the grounds of the Abington Friends Meetinghouse in Jenkintown, PA. Our upper school students are located at the Annex in Abington, PA. ASUA was established and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in August 2013. We serve students who are from Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware counties.
- Our focus is to serve the growing population of children on the autism spectrum that have significant developmental delays, speech and language difficulties, and moderate behaviors that are associated with the diagnosis. Using evidence-based practices with a strong focus on targeting the fundamental areas of communication, we work with students, their families, school districts, and communities to teach the skills necessary to support in a least-restrictive setting with the highest level of inclusion possible. Our experienced educators are committed to seeking out the routes by which each child learns, discovering strengths and interests, and building a highly individualized educational plan for each student to foster academic and social success. In this way, each student is taught using current research and through the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to allow for maximizing learning potential through mastery of skills across domains.
- The vision of ASUA is to prepare our students for the community and prepare the community for our students. Students have access to inclusion, including community-based learning opportunities, to generalize the skills they learn in the classroom and practice the social aspects of activities that often are a struggle for students with autism. Accessing the community on a regular basis with the support of ASUA staff allows for more meaningful and memorable learning opportunities and builds future independence for our students. Experiential, community-based, and inclusive learning are key aspects to our student programming.
- ASUA believes that every moment is a teachable moment for our students and that those moments should be focused on building skills that will lead to maximum independence in their adult lives. Transitions come in many forms and ASUA aims for the least restrictive environment for our students both now and in the future. With that in mind, ASUA develops individualized transition programming to support any of the following, as appropriate for each student and family goal. This may include:
- New or returned placement in a student`s neighborhood school
- ASUA direct or indirect support in a private or parochial school
- Community-based instruction Prevocational/vocational training and supported community volunteer or paid employment
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application deadline for A Step Up Academy?
The application deadline for A Step Up Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
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