FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(AND THEIR ANSWERS)
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
What is Mission Ready Academy?
Mission Ready Academy is a specialized academic program for students with disabilities who are already receiving center-based ABA therapy. Academic instruction happens alongside your child's existing treatment — their therapy continues exactly as it was, and the Academy adds structured, individualized academic support on top of it.
What ages does Mission Ready Academy serve?
Mission Ready Academy serves students ages 3 through 22.
Does Mission Ready Academy offer a high school diploma or high school credit?
No. Mission Ready Academy does not offer high school credits or lead to a diploma. The program is built around readiness — academic, functional, and adaptive skills for school, community, and life — rather than a credit-based path to graduation.
Who is Mission Ready Academy for?
It's often a good fit for students who are currently in ABA treatment and need academic support alongside it, students struggling in a traditional school setting who need time to stabilize before returning, students preparing to enter school for the first time, students working toward a return to school after extended treatment, and young adults building functional academic skills for supported employment or greater independence.
Is Mission Ready Academy a public school or a private school?
Mission Ready Academy is a private school approved to participate in Utah's scholarship programs. It isn't part of the public school system, though your child can return to public school at any time.
ELIGIBILTY & ENROLLMENT
Does my child need to already be receiving ABA therapy at Nova Supports?
Yes. Enrollment at Mission Ready Academy requires that your child is currently receiving ABA treatment at Nova Supports. Academic instruction is built to happen alongside that treatment, not in place of it.
How many hours of treatment does my child need to be receiving?
Because Mission Ready Academy is designed to complement existing treatment, students need to be receiving a minimum number of treatment hours per week to enroll: 15 hours for ages 3 through pre-kindergarten, and 21 hours for kindergarten and up.
How do I enroll?
Reach out to our team to start the conversation. We'll walk you through eligibility, help you understand your scholarship options, and guide you through both enrollment and any scholarship application at the same time. You can also submit a pre-application here.
What if my child receives ABA somewhere else?
Because academic instruction is coordinated directly with your child's treatment team on-site, enrollment requires your child's ABA treatment to be through Nova Supports specifically.
Does my child need a formal autism diagnosis or an IEP?
Not necessarily to begin services, but a documented disability — such as an IEP from within the past three years, or a qualifying evaluation — is typically needed to access scholarship funding. Our team can help you understand where things stand and what, if anything, still needs to be documented.
ACADEMICS & INSTRUCTION
Where does instruction happen?
All instruction takes place in person, at the same clinic where your child receives treatment. Mission Ready Academy currently operates at four Utah locations: Ogden, West Valley, American Fork, and Springville.
What will my child work on academically?
Instruction covers reading, writing, math, and foundational academic skills, aligned with Utah Core Standards or Utah's Essential Elements depending on your child's needs and disability profile. Older students often shift toward functional academics — skills like managing money, reading a schedule, and following instructions — geared toward independence and future employment.
How is my child's academic progress measured?
We complete a baseline assessment near the start of enrollment, then at least one other assessment annually, comparing your child's performance to peers of the same age or grade nationally. Results are shared with you and used to update your child's academic plan.
Is instruction one-on-one or in a small group?
It depends on your child's needs and goals. Instruction may be individualized, in a small group with same-age peers, or a mix of both — and the format can change over time as your child progresses.
Who teaches at Mission Ready Academy?
The Academy is directed by Casey Gressmen, MBA, MEd, BCBA, LBA. Instructors are selected specifically for experience working with individuals with disabilities, not simply for holding a traditional teaching license. All staff hold a bachelor's degree or higher, have at least three years of teaching experience, or have specialized skills or credentials relevant to this population — including credentials like Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). All staff pass a criminal background check.
How do academic goals and treatment goals stay coordinated?
Your child's instructor works as part of their broader care team, alongside their behavior analyst and other treatment providers, so academic and therapeutic goals move forward together rather than on separate, disconnected tracks.
COST & FUNDING
What does tuition cost?
Current tuition is $12,175 per year for kindergarten through grade 12, $4,800 per year for full-time preschool, and $2,600 per year for part-time preschool. All fees can be covered by state funding and Mission Ready can help with the application process. All instruction and specialized support are included — there are no additional fees. Rates may be updated annually.
Can I use both Utah Fits All and Carson Smith scholarships at the same time?
No — Utah law doesn't allow a student to receive both scholarships in the same school year. We can help you figure out which program fits your child's situation best.
What's the refund policy if my child withdraws?
If your child withdraws before a billing quarter begins, that quarter isn't charged. If they withdraw on or after the first day of a quarter, private-pay tuition for that quarter is nonrefundable; tuition paid through a scholarship is refunded to the scholarship program as required by law. Tuition, fees, and refund terms are the same for every student, regardless of how tuition is paid.
Does insurance or Medicaid cover tuition?
No. Tuition is separate from any insurance or Medicaid arrangement covering your child's ABA or treatment services, and isn't covered by them.
What scholarships can I use toward tuition?
Most families use the Utah Fits All Scholarship or the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship, both of which can cover some or all of tuition depending on your child's age and situation. Our team will walk you through eligibility and the application process for either program.
What if I can't afford tuition, even with a scholarship?
We offer a limited number of internal scholarships and may be able to arrange payment plans on a case-by-case basis. Don't let cost be the reason you don't reach out — we're happy to have that conversation.
LOGISTICS
What are your hours?
Mission Ready Academy has a flexible schedule and operates between 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Your child's specific schedule is built around their treatment plan and individual needs.
Does my child need to bring lunch?
Yes — students are asked to bring their own lunch and snacks.
RIGHTS & TRANSITIONS
Will enrolling affect my child's IEP or special education rights?
Accepting a scholarship to attend Mission Ready Academy is legally treated the same as a parent declining special education services under IDEA, which pauses your school district's obligation to provide IEP services while your child is enrolled. This doesn't permanently affect your child's rights, and your child can return to public school — and those services — at any time.
Can my child eventually transition out of Mission Ready Academy?
Yes — that's the point. Mission Ready Academy is a transitionary program, built to prepare your child for their next step, whether that's returning to school, entering school for the first time, moving into supported employment, or building greater independence in the community.
What happens if my child goes back to public school?
Scholarship funding stops once your child re-enrolls in public school. Funds already spent on services already delivered aren't clawed back — only the remaining, unspent balance is affected. Just let us know as soon as the transition happens so we can help make sure everything is handled correctly on our end.