Spectrum Academy Expands Career Readiness Programs for Neurodiverse Students

The charter school introduces more hands-on learning and leadership opportunities to prepare students for life after graduation.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Spectrum Academy, a charter school serving students with autism and other learning differences, is expanding its career and technical education offerings. The school will introduce additional hands-on learning experiences and leadership development opportunities to better prepare neurodiverse students for life after graduation.

Why it matters

Spectrum Academy's focus on comprehensive support and individualized education for neurodiverse learners sets it apart. By enhancing career readiness programs, the school aims to equip students with practical skills and confidence to become contributing members of their communities.

The details

The expanded programs will build upon Spectrum Academy's current offerings, which include woodshop, culinary arts, video production, and coding. The goal is to provide more hands-on experience and leadership opportunities for high school students with autism and other learning differences. The school operates with small class sizes and dedicated paraprofessionals to deliver personalized instruction and services tailored to individual student needs.

  • Spectrum Academy has served students since 2006.
  • The school was recently named the 2025 School of the Year by the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools (UAPCS) and achieved full accreditation.

The players

Spectrum Academy

A fully accredited charter school serving neurodiverse students across multiple campuses. The school has grown to serve over 1,500 students with autism and other learning differences through personalized education, small class sizes, and comprehensive therapeutic services.

Liz Banner

The Executive Director of Academics at Spectrum Academy. Banner joined the school after her son, who has autism, attended the school, which led her to pursue a degree in special education and dedicate her career to supporting families seeking specialized educational services.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited about expanding our career readiness and life skills for our high school students. We want to add more hands-on experience and leadership opportunities for them.”

— Liz Banner, Executive Director of Academics (natlawreview.com)

“We look at the whole child and not just individual aspects of them. Beyond academics, students get occupational therapy, speech therapy, counseling, behavior support, and mental health services as needed.”

— Liz Banner, Executive Director of Academics (natlawreview.com)

“We're proud to be a place where neurodiverse learners can truly thrive. We're doing our best to serve and support this group of wonderful individuals and get them the personalized learning and instruction they need to be successful in their futures.”

— Liz Banner, Executive Director of Academics (natlawreview.com)

What’s next

The expanded career readiness programs at Spectrum Academy are set to launch in the upcoming school year, providing neurodiverse students with more hands-on learning experiences and leadership opportunities to prepare them for life after graduation.

The takeaway

Spectrum Academy's focus on comprehensive support and individualized education for neurodiverse learners sets it apart, and the school's expansion of career readiness programs demonstrates its commitment to equipping students with practical skills and confidence to become contributing members of their communities.