Gateway Academy

3939 East Shea Boulevard

Phoenix, AZ 85028

32 Reviews

School District
Grade

3-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on February 04, 2025

At Gateway Academy, my student thrives in an environment designed to support their academic, social, and emotional growth. Right now, we’re seeing high levels of student satisfaction, with many expressing how much they appreciate the small class sizes, structured routine, and individualized attention they receive. My child has shared that they feel safe, supported, and understood.Socially, they are forming stronger connections with peers and staff, feeling a sense of belonging that some have struggled to find in other school settings. They appreciate teachers who take the time to understand their individual needs and work with them on strategies for success.We are so lucky to of found Gateway! I would highly recommend to any family looking it has improved our quality of life at home too!
Submitted by parent on September 09, 2024

My son was having a very negative experience with bullying and misreading social cues at his public school. We switched to Gateway after Spring Break in his sixth grade year and are thrilled with the small class sizes, unique electives and teacher involvement. I get an email every time my son's grades dip below a B in any class, they have therapy dogs and monthly equine therapy and amazing counselors. If you have a twice exceptional child like mine, we highly recommend Gateway Academy!
Submitted by teacher on September 04, 2024

Gateway is an extraordinary school to work at— the students are some of the kindest and smartest you’ll find and the culture fully embraces the unique creativity of our population. Incredibly grateful to be a part of this community!
Submitted by parent on September 03, 2024

Gateway Academy is a WONDERFUL school!! We feel SO LUCKY to have found this school! Our son is on the Autism Spectrum and Gateway Academy is the PERFECT fit! Our son is safe and free to be himself in the most nurturing environment. He is HAPPY heading into school everyday and as parents that is all we have hoped for! The entire staff and all of the teachers are simply AMAZING! We can't recommend this school enough!! A+++++++++ =)
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2024

This school says they are for high function autistic children. What they actual mean is they want children with an ASD diagnosis but none of the social and emotional traits that go along with that. They just want to collect their $25,000 per kid and not have to doing anything to support the child. My child was treated awful by Robin. I’m thankful I found out before I wasted anymore of my time what this school is really like.
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2023

My son found his tribe at Gateway, and has made genuine friends for the first time in his life! He hangs out with his friends on weekends, and even has a girlfriend. He is in Honors and AP classes, and he will be taking a college class at Paradise Community College in the Spring. We no longer worry about him being safe when we drop him off at school. Words cannot truly explain what this school has done for my family nor our family. Amazing school!
Submitted by parent on November 20, 2023

My son has thrived after starting Gateway Academy. He is a different person and everyone has noticed. If your child qualifies for Gateway, you should seriously check it out.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2023

Prior to attending Gateway, our son was being bullied and teased at the public school. The class sizes were large and overwhelming. He was so continuously anxious that he fell behind in academics. It had also taken quite the emotional toll. It was heartbreaking to watch him struggle and we knew we had to find an alternative. A friend recommended Gateway because of her son’s positive experience. On his very first day at Gateway, he said, “thank you so much for finding this school. I love it here.” He’s now in his fourth year here and looks forward to school everyday. The staff, educators and therapists here are so amazing and we truly know they have all the students best interest at heart. They have a unique, ingenious approach to educating the students while also working on life skills. Our son is back to his outgoing, happy self and his confidence has been restored because he has found a school where truly belongs.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2023

Gateway Academy has truly been life changing for my son and our family. I genuinely cannot say enough about the teachers, staff, students and Gateway families. The students are kind, bright and uniquely talented. The teachers have emphasized my son’s strengths while helping him grow in areas that are challenging. Ms. Robin has been exceptionally responsive to any questions or needs that we have had for our child. This is truly her life’s work and she cares about nothing more than her students. Mr. Curt is quite possibly the most positive and supportive person I’ve ever encountered in a school setting (or maybe ever). He consistently offers mentorship to the students, role models integrity and authenticity, and ardently arranges necessary interventions for the students such as occupational and speech therapy. Finally, a word about the Gateway families. We all come to Gateway with unique but similar stories. We have been through it all and are a tribe. At Gateway, you will never have to explain because we have all lived this shared reality. There is a wonderful parent organization that seeks to support the students and teachers. It is a great place to make friends with like-minded families and get involved in your student’s community.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2023

Gateway has been a great fit for our middle schooler. This is their second year attending. We have tried other ASD centered schools and public school and at this time this has been the best fit. We hope that the trend continues. Our child feels supported by staff and they enjoy what they learn. They are small class sizes and they offer extra curricular activities, field trips and peer relationship course. The staff have all been kind and supportive and communicative. We have been able to work effectively with all staff to ensure our child’s needs are met and help them be successful.
Submitted by parent on April 11, 2023

this school does not support their students and the faculty is either unqualified, unprofessional, or doesn't do what's required to make students have a safe environment.
Submitted by parent on March 02, 2022

I felt like I was dealing with a car dealership not a school. The director was all 'bells and whistles' and never answered any of our questions. This is NOT a 2E school, this is an autism school. There is nothing wrong with having an autistic school but do not market yourself as a 2E school. There are no advanced classes, no college prep courses, no dual enrollment options. When I asked about allergies and accommodations my concerns were quickly brushed aside. The quick tour ended when I was informed that ALL students must be vaccinated, this is a violation of the ADA because of those 'allergies' my child can not be vaccinated. The doctor is aware, obviously and had documents to support this- the school does not care- they would rather break federal laws, misrepresent their school program and speak over parents all in 20 minutes. I would never leave my child here, let alone pay for this.
Submitted by student on December 21, 2019

I really love gateway academy because we have amazing teachers that care about there studentd
Submitted by parent on August 20, 2019

I have now enrolled my second son in Gateway Academy. Like his brother, my son is high on the spectrum. He was having difficulty in another private, mainstream school. He had been at that school and got straight A's and had friends since Kindergarten, however, in 7th grade, he began to has serious emotional issues related to his Spectrum disorder which caused bullying. I immediately ransfered my younger son to Gateway, where his older brother graduated several years' ago. Happily, my younger son is very well adjusted to Gateway. Within two weeks, his enthusiasm for school returned. He has made several friends and is really enjoying it!
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2019

The experience has been an unbelievable experience!
Submitted by other on April 18, 2019

We love this school and wouldn’t go anywhere else
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2019

My family feels so blessed to have found Gateway Academy. The teachers are so caring and build amazing relationships with the students. We love being in the Gateway Village!
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2019

Horrific and toxic school that uses false advertising to lure in vulnerable families. This is NOT a twice-exceptional school (defined at Identified Gifted with a disability). Teacher and staff have zero training with gifted students and below even an average curriculum for the students. It is simply a poorly run autism school. Appalling social skills & communication training for the kids. The 4 months we were there, our son's class had only 6 kids from 1st thru 4 grade because they couldn't fill classrooms. Students left during that time and his class went through 4 different teachers. Vice principle left, with no explanation, before school year was out. I was promised an individualized curriculum but was denied it. Terrible communication between school and parents. I feel I was told just what I wanted to hear so that I would sign up yet once we were enrolled, my son was just a dollar sign to fill a chair. He regressed academically, socially and behaviorally in those 4 months. When I sent a polite letter to Robin asking what qualified Gateway to be called a "Twice-Exceptional school" rather than simply an autism school (which they were previously) I received a highly unprofessional letter promptly kicking us out with a 3 day notice! Simply for asking the question! Which, by the way, she never answered. There are other options our there.
Submitted by parent on August 19, 2018

Robin the director is like a slick car sales person who will tell you whatever you need to hear to enroll and pay with no intention of following through with any promised plans. My son had four teachers and four different classrooms in one year all without any heads up or information. I would find out from my kid if he had a new teacher or classroom. The minute you start asking questions you are labeled difficult and asked to leave, and here's the kicker you still have to pay according to contract that of course only favor the school. Run by married couple with no scruples, run don't walk from this school!
Submitted by parent on August 09, 2018

8/6/18Hi Robin!Our lives have been so blessed because we were a part of it.