Academy for Precision Learning

Academy for Precision Learning (APL) is an independent, K-12 school which provides a nurturing & individualized learning experience for students all across the autism spectrum, and their typically-developing peers. This mission united the founders of APL when they established the school in 2007. 

Our student population has grown dramatically from an original five students to over 115.  Approximately 80% of those students have a diagnosis of autism. Our vision is that every student is an equal member of the classroom community, including those who are typically developing and those with special needs.

Our students are served at our Seattle location at the University Heights Center in the U. District.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that as of 2018, one of 58 people in the U.S. have an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, meaning there are thousands of school-age children on the spectrum in Puget Sound-area school districts. For younger students, that often means their educational and social development are not adequately nurtured. For older students in high school, it often means that they don’t move on to college, universities or job placement.

APL’s individualized programming, high teacher to-student ratio, and clinical ABA programming provides a greater chance of success for children on the spectrum than they may find elsewhere. Regardless of their situation or abilities, APL is prepared to ensure that all students can reach their full potential. APL operates both as a school and an embedded licensed behavioral health agency providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for those students with autism. APL is dedicated to helping students succeed regardless of their situation and abilities. We offer targeted opportunities that promote the academic achievement & social development of students who benefit from a smaller, supportive learning environment. They are engaged in developmentally appropriate, data-informed, individualized experiences that put them on a path to achieving their greatest potential.

APL’ utilizes varied learning experiences so kids who are challenged in different ways by autism can succeed academically and socially. We continuously monitor these skills through sophisticated data collection/teaching methods and then make needed alterations in “real time.” This system ensures that our students’ full potential is maximized. Some examples of achievement in specific goal areas in the 2018-2019 school year include:

1) Providing additional mental health supports for our students. An in-house mental health counselor supports the individual mental health needs of APL students through DBT® Skills in Schools, which is a newly implemented skills training for emotional problem solving for adolescents (DBT STEPS-A);

2) Assuring that in-house behavioral supports for students are licensed both at a departmental level and at an individual provider level by the Washington State Department of Health. These processes maximize quality standards for these services;

3) Achieving outstanding results for our graduates. 100% of our graduating APL seniors have been accepted to four-year universities, are attending supported community colleges, or are enrolled in a school district transitional program.

APL draws students from throughout the Puget Sound region, including King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. We serve students from kindergarten to 12th grade, with 40% identifying as female and 60% male. Of those on the spectrum, their accommodations range from needing embedded support to requiring one-on-one clinical support throughout each day. Our cultural demographics are as follows: 68% Caucasian, 19% Asian, 1% Latino/Hispanic 4% African American or Black, and 8% More than One Race.