Texas Autism Academy marked its 10th year of operations as it begins the 2026-27 academic year.
The backstory
Originally located on Pruitt Road in Spring, the school opened a new building in 2023 on Tamina Road where it now operates, serving students in grades 4-12 this academic year, according to its website.
This year, six students will graduate from TAA, the first to graduate with high school diplomas. The school has expanded from initially serving students up to age 10, and it now offers its program for students up to 21, who can graduate with an accredited high school diploma, according to the website.
“The whole reason we wanted to do this was get these students out of the special education classes, life skills classes, resource classes ... because we knew that they were capable,” said Cary Mollinedo, president, chief operating officer and director of TAA.
What they offer
The idea for TAA was formed in 2015 by three public school educators looking for a better quality education for non-neurotypical children, according to information from the school.
TAA is part of the nonprofit organization ASD Hope Inc., and according to its website, the school offers:
- A full-day program for children ages 5-21
- Faculty and staff trained in Applied Behavior Analysis
- A research-based curriculum
- Individualized educational and behavioral plans designed by a board-certified behavior analyst
- A maximum of a 9:2 student to teacher ratio
Quote of note
"The unique part about our school, besides the academic growth that they all make, is also the friendships they make,".Mollinedo said. " ... Some of them are going to go to college. Some of them are going to go into workforce programs with their full high school diploma."
