Start Your Own ESA Micro School in Arizona: A Complete Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Education Professionals
By Sean Taylor, M.Ed. | Arizona Licensed Teacher & Education Consultant
Are you a parent struggling to get adequate IEP services for your child? A special education teacher dreaming of creating a truly individualized learning environment? An educator ready to make education work differently?
Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program provides real opportunities to transform education for students with special needs. As of October 20, 2025, over 95,000 Arizona students are enrolled in the ESA program, and that number continues to grow.
Understanding Arizona's ESA Program
What is an Empowerment Scholarship Account?
Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is administered by the Arizona Department of Education and funded by state tax dollars. The program allows parents to receive education funding to use for private school tuition, curricula, educational supplies, tutoring, and more.
ESAs are funded at 90% of the state's per-pupil base funding. Instead of that money going to a public school, it goes directly to families who can choose how to spend it on their child's education.
Who is Eligible?
All K–12 students in Arizona are eligible to receive an ESA, along with pre-K students with disabilities. The student and applicant must be residents of Arizona.
The program expanded to universal eligibility in 2022, making Arizona the first state to offer ESAs to all students regardless of income, location, or prior school enrollment.
ESA Funding Amounts: What to Expect
For Universal (Regular Education) Students: ESA allocations for regular education students average between $6,000 to $7,000 per year. Kindergarten funding is typically lower—around $4,000 to $5,000 per year.
For Students with Disabilities: Students with a current IEP, MET, or 504 plan are eligible to receive additional funding based on their IEP/MET eligibility category. For example, families with an autistic child may receive around $28,000 annually for home education, tutoring, therapy, private schooling, and other approved expenses.
The funding for qualifying preschoolers is between $3,200 and $9,000 per year depending upon the disability.
The scholarship is distributed throughout the year over four quarters.
What Can ESA Funds Be Used For?
ESA funds can be used for approved expenses in the following categories: tuition and/or fees at a qualified school and required textbooks; tutoring and teaching services; curricula and supplementary material; fees to manage the account; tuition or fees for a nonpublic online learning program; fees for nationally norm-referenced testing; tuition and/or fees at an eligible postsecondary institution and required textbooks; services provided by a public school; uniforms; transportation services; and computer hardware and technological devices.
Important: ESA funds can be used to pay for educational consulting services and tutoring that help you design and implement your micro school program.
The Reality: Arizona's Public Schools Are Struggling
Many Arizona families are turning to ESA micro schools because traditional public schools cannot adequately meet their children's needs:
- IEP services falling short: Despite legal requirements, many students with IEPs are not receiving appropriate services due to staffing shortages and overcrowded classrooms
- 504 accommodations inconsistently implemented: Students with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, and other conditions struggle when accommodations exist on paper but not in practice
- Overcrowded special education classrooms: Special education teachers are often responsible for 20-40 students across multiple disability categories, making individualized instruction nearly impossible
- Limited resources: Budget constraints mean schools can't always provide the specialized interventions students need
What is a Micro School?
A micro school is a small, personalized learning environment typically serving 5-15 students. Funded through Arizona's ESA program, these schools offer:
- Small class sizes with truly individualized attention
- Flexible curriculum adapted to each learner's pace and style
- Specialized instruction focused on IEP goals and accommodations
- Strong relationships between students, teachers, and families
- Financial sustainability through consistent ESA funding
About Sean Taylor: 25 Years of Special Education Expertise
I've spent my career in the field of special education, not behind a desk, but in classrooms working directly with students who have diverse learning needs.
My Credentials:
- Master's Degree in Education (M.Ed.) specializing in Special Education
- Arizona State Teaching License (active and current)
- 25 years of hands-on teaching experience
My Classroom Experience:
- Self-contained classrooms: Teaching students with significant disabilities requiring intensive support
- Cross-categorical instruction: Working with students across all disability categories including learning disabilities, autism, emotional/behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, and multiple disabilities
- LD Resource specialist: Providing targeted intervention for students with specific learning disabilities
My Systems Expertise:
- RTI (Response to Intervention): Building three-tiered systems of support that produce results
- MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support): Designing comprehensive programs that integrate academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support
- IEP development and analysis: Writing, analyzing, and implementing effective IEPs
- Progress monitoring: Developing data collection systems that drive instructional decisions
- Data-driven instruction: Using evidence-based practices to ensure student progress
Who Can Benefit from Starting an ESA Micro School?
Parents: Take Control of Your Child's Education
If you're frustrated with inadequate IEP services or watching your child struggle in an environment that can't meet their needs, an ESA micro school gives you the power to create the education your child deserves.
How I can help parents:
- Understand ESA eligibility and navigate the application process
- Find and hire qualified teachers who understand your child's needs
- Create individualized learning plans that go beyond checkbox IEPs
- Navigate special education requirements and ensure compliance
- Build supportive learning communities with other families
- Implement progress monitoring systems
Special Education Teachers: Launch Your Own Program
Are you burned out trying to meet the needs of too many students with too few resources? Do you want to teach the way you've always known was right?
How I can help teachers:
- Navigate ESA program requirements and compliance
- Develop curriculum for diverse learners
- Set up IEP implementation and documentation systems
- Establish your classroom and acquire resources
- Structure your business and meet legal requirements
- Create sustainable financial models
Schools & Districts: Improve Your Special Education Programs
Is your special education program struggling with compliance? Are your RTI/MTSS systems failing to produce results?
How I can help schools:
- Conduct comprehensive program audits
- Develop and implement RTI/MTSS frameworks
- Provide staff training and professional development
- Create IEP compliance and documentation systems
- Design progress monitoring protocols
- Develop intervention strategies and curriculum adaptations
Tutors & Educational Therapists: Expand Your Impact
Want to grow from tutoring into operating a full micro school program?
How I can help tutors:
- Transition from tutoring to comprehensive micro school operations
- Align curriculum with Arizona standards
- Develop ESA-compliant service delivery models
- Create assessment and progress monitoring systems
- Plan professional growth and credential development
My Specialized Expertise
Disability Categories I Work With:
- Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across all functioning levels
- Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
- Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
- Other Health Impairments (OHI) including ADHD
- Speech/Language Impairments
- Multiple Disabilities
- Orthopedic Impairments
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Evidence-Based Interventions I Implement:
- Orton-Gillingham approach for dyslexia
- Structured literacy programs
- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
- Executive function skill development
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula
- Assistive technology integration
- Sensory integration strategies
- Visual supports and structured teaching (particularly for autism)
Assessment & Progress Monitoring:
- Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM)
- DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)
- AIMSweb assessment systems
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
- Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
- IEP goal tracking and data analysis
Your Roadmap: From Idea to Launch
Most families and educators who work with me successfully launch their micro schools within 2-4 months. Here's the typical process:
Phase 1: Discovery & Planning (Weeks 1-2)
Initial Consultation We'll discuss your vision, needs, and goals. Whether you're a parent or teacher, I'll help you clarify what success looks like for your micro school.
ESA Eligibility Assessment I'll help you understand eligibility requirements and estimate funding amounts for your target students.
Define Your Vision What population will you serve? What's your educational philosophy? We'll get clear on your mission and approach.
Identify Student Needs Understanding your students' learning profiles and required services is critical to planning effectively.
Phase 2: Foundation Building (Weeks 3-6)
Legal Structure and Compliance I'll help you understand Arizona's requirements for operating an educational program, including business structure, insurance, and regulatory compliance.
Curriculum Selection I'll help you choose curricula that match your students' needs and your teaching philosophy, with guidance on adapting materials for students with disabilities.
Facility and Resource Planning We'll plan your learning environment, equipment needs, and accessibility considerations.
Staffing Assessment Determine whether you need additional staff and what training is necessary to ensure quality instruction.
Phase 3: Implementation (Weeks 7-10)
Student Enrollment and Assessment Develop enrollment processes and initial assessment protocols to gather information about each student's strengths and needs.
IEP Review and Goal-Setting For students with existing IEPs, we'll review current goals and develop plans for meeting IEP requirements in your micro school setting.
Classroom Setup Plan every detail of your physical environment, from furniture to sensory considerations to visual supports.
Staff Training Ensure everyone is prepared with the tools and confidence needed for success.
Phase 4: Launch & Ongoing Support (Weeks 11+)
First Days of Instruction Launch with confidence, knowing you have support available.
Progress Monitoring Implement data collection systems to track student progress and inform instruction.
Regular Check-Ins Ongoing consultation to troubleshoot challenges and celebrate successes.
Continuous Improvement Regular assessment of what's working and adjustments as needed.
How to Apply for Arizona ESA
ESA applications are currently being accepted for the 2025-2026 school year. Once your completed application is received, it will be processed within 30 days.
Required Documents:
- Student's birth certificate
- Proof of Arizona residency (utility bill, lease agreement, or other approved documentation)
- For students with disabilities: Current IEP, MET evaluation, or 504 plan from an Arizona public school
If you have questions about the application process, contact the ESA service center at 602-364-1969.
Important Program Requirements
By accepting an ESA, the student's parent or guardian is signing a contract agreeing to provide an education that includes at least the following subjects: reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science.
In almost all situations, students on ESA cannot be enrolled in a public school (this includes district, charter and public online programs). The student must be withdrawn from the public school at the time that the ESA contract is signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ESA funds be used for consulting services?
Yes. ESA funds can be used for tutoring, teaching services, and educational consulting that helps you design and implement your micro school program.
Do I need to be a licensed teacher to start a micro school?
Requirements vary. Many micro schools are operated by parents who contract with licensed educators for instruction. I can help you understand your options and ensure compliance.
What if my child is currently in public school?
You can apply while your child is enrolled in public school, but once you sign the ESA contract, you must withdraw them from public or charter school to begin receiving funds.
When are ESA funds distributed?
Funding is provided quarterly, beginning with the quarter in which the contract is signed. If your ESA account is in good standing, you can expect to receive funds every quarter between the 15th and 30th of the first month.
How do I access my ESA funds?
Funds are managed through ClassWallet, a digital payment system. You can pay vendors directly, shop through the ClassWallet marketplace, or request a debit card for purchases.
Take the Next Step
If you're interested in starting an ESA micro school or improving your special education program, I'm here to help with real expertise based on 25 years in the classroom.
Contact Me:
π± Facebook Messenger: Search for Sean Taylor and send me a message for the fastest response
π§ Email: [Your email address]
π Phone: [Your phone number]
π Location: Serving Arizona families and educators statewide (based in Tucson)
Disclaimer: Sean Taylor is an Arizona licensed teacher with 25 years of experience in special education. This blog post provides general information about Arizona's ESA program based on publicly available information from the Arizona Department of Education. For official program details, eligibility determination, and application guidance, please contact the Arizona Department of Education ESA office at 602-364-1969 or visit www.azed.gov/esa. All consulting services comply with Arizona Department of Education regulations.
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