Florida Autism Center of Excellence

Florida Autism Center of Excellence 🦎FACE is the only Tuition-Free public charter school for students with autism in the Tampa Bay Area | Ages 3-22 | “Where Hope Meets Success! 🌟

The Florida Autism Center of Excellence (or "FACE") is the only public school in the Tampa Bay Area specialized for students with autism from 3 to 22 years old. Located at 6310 E Sligh Avenue in Tampa, enrollment is available by lottery to students in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota counties. At FACE, students with autism gain the academic, social-emotional, behavioral, v

ocational, and functional skills for a more independent and higher quality of life. FACE designs its school program based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based and research-supported practice for educating students with autism. FACE relies solely on public funding and fundraising to support our school operations.

1. School History
a. Founded on May 29, 2007 (First school year 2007-2008)
b. Chartered to serve students with autism spectrum disorder
c. Hillsborough County Public Charter School governed by FACE Board of Directors
d. 501(c)(3) = Nonprofit and tax-exempt organization
e. ESE Center = 100% of students with disabilities supported by Individualized Education Program (IEP)
f. CEP School = 100% of students receive free school meals
g. Title I School = 65% of students from low-income families
2. Our Unique Student Population
a. 81% with nonverbal communication
b. 70% with intellectual disability (IQ score < 67)
c. 100% with behaviors that interfere with their learning or learning of others
d. 42% with dangerous behaviors that cause harm to themselves or others
3. Current School Enrollment
a. 150 students in Grades PK-12
b. 36 students on Waitlist
4. Current School Staffing
a. Low student-to-staff ratios (Class sizes of only 6-10 students)
b. 23 Teachers (19 classrooms)
i. 2 Vocational program teachers
ii. 3 Specials program teachers (Music, Art, Physical Education)
c. 36 Instructional assistants (2 per classroom)
d. 1 Behavior Specialist (Board Certified Behavior Analyst, BCBA)
e. 18 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)

📢 WE’RE HIRING! Join the FACE Family! 🦎💙Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of students? FACE is c...
06/16/2026

📢 WE’RE HIRING! Join the FACE Family! 🦎💙

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of students? FACE is currently seeking dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our team!

Current Openings:
•ESE Teachers
•School Data Processor
•Paraprofessionals

We offer:
- Small class sizes with 1–2 instructional assistants
- Flexible lesson planning and delivery
- On-campus behavioral support
- Competitive benefits, PTO, and more

At FACE, you’ll be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and student success. If you’re looking for a rewarding career where you can truly make an impact, we’d love to hear from you!

📩 Send your resume to: [email protected]

📍 Florida Autism Center of Excellence
6310 E. Sligh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33617

📞 (813) 985-3223

🔗 Visit our Careers Page for job descriptions and additional information.

https://www.faceprogram.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=578307&type=d

🌟We Out! 🌟A special thank you to Dream Vacations for treating our staff to breakfast as they spent the day cleaning and ...
05/30/2026

🌟We Out! 🌟

A special thank you to Dream Vacations for treating our staff to breakfast as they spent the day cleaning and organizing their classrooms before summer break. Your kindness helped start the day off right and is greatly appreciated. 💙

We are grateful for the support of our community and proud of all that our staff has accomplished this year. Wishing everyone a well-deserved summer break! ☀️🍎

We will see you in July!

05/28/2026

🎓✨ Today we celebrate our amazing graduates and students moving up to their next chapter! ✨🎓

We are so proud of all the hard work, growth, and accomplishments our students have achieved this year. From big milestones to everyday victories, each student has shown determination, resilience, and so much heart. 💙🦎

To our graduates and promoted students — congratulations on this exciting achievement! Your FACE family is cheering you on every step of the way, and we cannot wait to see all the incredible things your future holds.

Thank you to our families, staff, and supporters for helping make these moments possible. ❤️

📸 Stay tuned! We’ll share another special graduation and promotion post next week!

🎉☀️ FACE Wishes You a Wonderful Summer! ☀️🎉School’s Out! 🦎📚Thank you to all of our incredible students, families, and st...
05/28/2026

🎉☀️ FACE Wishes You a Wonderful Summer! ☀️🎉

School’s Out! 🦎📚

Thank you to all of our incredible students, families, and staff for making this school year so special. We are so proud of all the growth, achievements, and memories made throughout the year! 💙

Wishing everyone a summer filled with fun, relaxation, sunshine, and adventure! 🌴🍉😎

Have a safe and wonderful summer, we’ll see you back in August!✨🦎

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country and recog...
05/25/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country and recognize those who continue to serve and protect the freedom we cherish every day. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

As we spend time with family and friends today, we reflect with gratitude on those who gave so much for our freedom.

Wishing our everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

Ms. Sydney and Ms. Sarah participated in an inspiring evening, last Saturday, bringing the community together to support...
05/20/2026

Ms. Sydney and Ms. Sarah participated in an inspiring evening, last Saturday, bringing the community together to support the Children's Home Society of Tampa Bay while sneaking in some awareness for FACE. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many individuals and organizations dedicated to creating brighter futures and stronger communities to all families across Tampa Bay. 💙✨

Thank you to, Maggie Briggs, for the invitation and for the incredible work you continue to do for children and families across Florida.

Throughout this school year, our Pathways to Employment students have shown incredible dedication, commitment, and hard ...
05/20/2026

Throughout this school year, our Pathways to Employment students have shown incredible dedication, commitment, and hard work during their internships at Tampa General Hospital (TGH). They embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and gain valuable hands-on experience. We are so proud of everything they have accomplished and the confidence they have built along the way.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to TGH, The DeLaVergne Foundation, and Pepin Academies for partnering with FACE for these amazing opportunities for our students. Your support, mentorship, and encouragement have made a lasting impact on our students and their future goals.

Our students have had the opportunity to celebrate with an Internship Award Ceremony, and Volunteer Appreciation Banquet, both hosted by TGH. We are excited to see all of our students continue to excel and achieve even greater success next year. The future is bright! ✨



*Awards Received*

Trenton- Fast Learner and Productive Award
Christopher- Responsible and Focused Award
Dillon- Hard-Working and Fast Learner Award
Darien- Focused on Improvement and Polite Award

🎉👏 Thank you to Tampa General Hospital Volunteer Services for hosting such an amazing End of Internship Celebration for ...
05/14/2026

🎉👏 Thank you to Tampa General Hospital Volunteer Services for hosting such an amazing End of Internship Celebration for our students! 👏🎉

We are so grateful for the time, kindness, and support you have shown throughout their internship experience. This special celebration was the perfect way to recognize our students and all of the hard work, growth, and accomplishments they achieved this year. 💙

Our students gained valuable skills, confidence, and unforgettable experiences thanks to your incredible team. Thank you for investing in their future and making them feel so celebrated and appreciated! 🌟

🎉🚌 End-of-the-Year Fun! 🚌🎉As we get closer to celebrating the end of another amazing school year, our Lower Elementary s...
05/14/2026

🎉🚌 End-of-the-Year Fun! 🚌🎉

As we get closer to celebrating the end of another amazing school year, our Lower Elementary students got to enjoy the LAST field trip of the year with a visit to the Children’s Museum! ✨

From hands on activities to lots of smiles and laughter, our students had an unforgettable day exploring, learning, and making special memories together. 💙

What a fun way to wrap up a fantastic year filled with growth, friendship, and adventure! 🌟

🌸 Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at FACE! 🌸Today, we celebrate the incredible mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and ...
05/10/2026

🌸 Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at FACE! 🌸

Today, we celebrate the incredible mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, and mother figures who fill our students’ lives with unconditional love, strength, patience, and support. 💖

Thank you for all you do each and every day to encourage, inspire, and advocate for your children. Your love makes a lasting difference, and we are so grateful to have such amazing families. 🦎✨

Wishing you a day filled with love, joy, and special moments with those you cherish most.

Happy Mother’s Day! 💐

Address

6310 E Sligh Avenue
Tampa, FL
33617

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+18139853223

Website

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